New Britain herald., 1916-09-16
0UIGLEY IS STRONG
 FOR RE-ASSESSMENT
Wants System Adopted on Basis
 Of Actual Value

Taking the ground that unimproved l property and land that is being held | for higher prices is not netting the | city a just share of revenue, Mayor c. A. Quigley introduced the subject to his new re-assesSnent committee at a meeting in the mayors office last evening and urged the need of new system Ct assessment. The mayor maintained that the present system is haphazard and is anything but satls- factory. He urged that ground rental plan such as has been adopted in the city of Pittsburgh would re-
 suit in greater revenue to the city.
 Tho mayor explained that the Pitts
 buTgh idea is to take a section de-
 voted tC a particular business, secure
 a proper assessment for the developed
 land and then, using these figures as
 a basis, place an assessment on the
 vacant lots and lots which are clut-
 tered with ramshacl1le buildings and
 force the owners to pay a tax on an
 assessment that has close relation
 to the assessment on the developed
 property. The same plan can be fol-
 lowed in assessing residence property,
 letting the assessment be based on
 general value of the section.
 Another thing favored by the mayor
 is to have the assessors devote their
 whole time to the job and pay them salaries that will be worth the effort. He thought $500 a year would not l be too much for a capable man. i Mayor Quigley maintains that the i cnly way to prevent a constantly in- 1 creasing tax rate is the adoption of l q new system of assessment. The 1 schools, be declared, are increasing i ln cost at an average rate of $25,000 i year. General expenses are in i Creasing at the rate of $50.oon. ""t 1 to mention the interest on new bonds. The rate is going to increase 4-I4il and a half a year unless a new method IS adopted, said the mayor. The mayor also favors abolishing the double taxing dis.1ict, claming the 1itc at the so-called town section.
 Clayton A. Parker, another mem her of the committee, said he be- lieved he Somers system of assess ment and taxation would give the result the mayor seeks. Mr. Parker heard the Somers system explained in Meriden and believes it practical in 1 most respects. By this system a basis If valuation is gained from a business section or street corner A value of adjoining property is secured. MT. Parker thought it would be a good idea to have one of the system ex- perts come here and explain it's work ings.
 William J. Farley spoke of land within fifteen minutes walk of the pig factories which is being held for high prices and yet is assessed as farm property while in the same locality other men are developing land and paying taxes on developed which is assessed many thousands higher. He maintained hat a real estate man who develops home sites is community benefactor, yet he is forced to pay the price of his business courage and judgment, while the man who objects to every and keeps his place in rundown condition gets off light and eventually sells out at big price. At torney P. F. McDonough spoke along similar lines and explained methods of assessm ent as made by the board of compensation and assessment. H. F. Smith explained that the method l of assessment in Canada is based on actual land values regardless of the 1 nature of the structures which oc- cUpy the property. The committee l Friday night, September 29, when it l is hoped all the members will be | present.