New Britain herald., 1917-05-18
Plainvflle News
TAX COLLECTIONS
 TOTAL 90 PER CENT.
Receipts to Date, Report Shows,
 Amount to Over $40,OO0 TOWN WILL RUN BEHIND

TUWk MILL RUN BEHIND Extraordinary Expenses Will Prove a Set Back Financdally-No Prospect
 of a Lower Tax Rate Next Year Boy Scouts to Inspect Yards.
 More than $4o,ooo, or approximate ly ninety per cent. of the entire amount due. has been collected in taxes since April 1, according to the compilation of figures in the records of Collector w. J. Hemingway com pleted today. The results of the col lector's activities show that despite high prices and war clouds the prop erty owners in Plainville are in a healthy financial condition and have been getting their share of the pros- perity distributed through the coun- try during the past three years.
 The collections this year of course are record breaking as to amount and they compare we'll, propoftionately, with those of previous years. MT. Hemingway is we'll satisfied with the returns and he does not anticipate that he will have to place as many liens on property for unpaid taxes as usual.
 The collections are made larger than usual this year by reason of the fact that the town increased the rate to fifteen mills and imposed a special tax of four mills to pay a part of the debt which will be incurred through the erection of a $1s,000 addition to the schoolhouse on Broad street. In- cluded in the amount announced as collected Is the revenue received from personal tax payers. The men liable to this tax have responded well this year and comparatively few personal tax bills remain unpaid. It Is the in tention to force immediate settlement of these accounts and delinquents who fail to heed tthe warning are liable to have to pay court costs in addition as they are liable to arrest for their negligence.
 Despite the fact tthat the tax col- lecttons reach record breaking amount the indications are that the revenue will be insufficient to meet the current expenses this year. Although the rate was raised to fifteen mills at Ll10 dHHudl COWH HlSOIlHS, lI0 VOtSE6 at the time considered only the ex- penses outlined by the officials. Some extraordinary items will increase the cost of maintaining the town by con- siderable. For instance there is $2,700 recently appropriated for high way improvements which were not in- cluded in the estimates used for desig- mating the rate. Then there will be an increase in the school expense over what was estimated by the com mittee as it will be necessary to em- ploy extra teachers to take charge of the classes in the rooms in the new addition although the year will be closed before this feature represents much money. There are. some other items of expense not included in the budget which will help to cut into the revenue and the officials believe that it will be impossible to keep the town out of debt for the year, even if the cost of building the school ad- dition is not figured as an expense for this fiscal year.
 The town authorities do not believe, however, that there is occasion to complain as the extraordinary expen- ditures for the most part should prove excellent investments. They are par ticularly agreeable to joining in the highway improvements as the town will get big benefits from them at comparatively small cost. The state and trolley companies will spend nearly $10O,000 in permanent pave ment improvements while the town contributes but $2,8OO towards them. When the laying of tthe pavement is complete Plainville streets will be in splendid shape and it's main high ways will be as good as can be found anywhere.
 The selectmen will make an attempt to economize in other departments to offset the extraordinary expenses but they admit that it will be impossible to keep the amount down to figures that will be reached by the revenue. Consequently the possibilities of a re- duction in the tax rate next year will be very remote and the taxpayers will have cause for congratulating them selves if it Is found advisable to keep from raising it.
 Settling Coughlin Estate.
 James Gray of Bristol, admins trator. is making arrangements to make final distribution of the estate of Patrick Coughlfn, who died few years ago, leaving nearly $70,O00 to his nieces and nephews, @ number of whom reside in Plainville. Coughlin died suddenly, leaving no will, and as result his nieces and nephews. who were his nearest of kin are entitled to equal shares of his wealth.
 Settlement of the estate was de- layed for some time because of the appeal of one of the heirs from the action of the Bristol probate court in approving of the payment of bills submitted by MT. and Mrs. w. J. Couehlin for services rendered to the man before his death. The appeal, it is understood. has been withdrawn and the way cleared for distribu- tion of the money.