New Britain herald., 1920-01-26
BOARD OF RELIEF TO HOLD ITS MEETINGS Will Hear Appeals During Next
 Month TAX RATE DISGUISED LITTLE

Fire Department Called Out to Haines
 Rcsidence-Train and Trolley
 Schedules Still OG-Othcr Items of
 Interest.
 The board of relief will hold it's first meetings at the court room in the town building on Monday. Fcbru- cry and Monday February 23. The board will receive all notices of ap pealS from it's decisions concerning valuations of property owned in Plainville and will take action on such appeals before the annual town meet ing in March. The board of relief will he allowed the entire month of F'cbru- ary to complete it's work. Appeals for changes in valuations must be pre- scented at the first meeting of the board on February or at some ad- iourned meeting within 20 days there after.
 There has been very little discus sion thus far this year concerning the possibilities of an increase or reduc- ton in the tax rate. This is unusual the tax rate is usually the principal topic for discussion at this time of the year. For the past year politics have not attracted much interest in Plain vile and the rule now continues even though the annual meeting for laying the taxes will be held in March.
 Town Clerk Robert C. Usher was non-committal on the subject of the tax rate this morning. He intimated, however, that it would probably re main in the neighborhood of [ 1-2 mills. the present rate. It is under stood that there will certainly be no reduction in the rate this year. as the school expenses have reached figure which makes it impossible to con- sdcr any reduction.
 The school expenses as listed in last years budget were approNmateiy S27.OOO. This years budget includes school appropria tions for $34,0oO, an increase of 5000 over last years budget. The school appropriation ln- creased annually to d greater extent than any other single item Tn the budget. The recent purchase Of the WoodfOrd property on Whiting street will assist in making impossible re- duction in the rate The town still owes about $4,000 for the property
 First Sclectmun William J. Johnson stated this morning that the amount of the appropriation for public works would not add very much to the as scSsmonts, as the expenses of that de partmemt for the year were only slightly in excess of last years ap- propriation.
 Blaze Causes Scare.
 The fire departn. cnt was called out at o'clock yesterday afternoon 10 answer an alarm at the home Of MT! tlaincs on East street. When the ire fighters arrived the occupants were busily engaged in throwing clothing, bedding and other household effects into the yard. The blaze was located between two partitions and was easily extinguished The occupants Of the house received a bad scare. The most noticeable flea ture or the fire was the delay in sounding the alarm. A telephone call to the teie- nbonr cXchanco where the alarm is sounded failed 10 get a rise out of the operator. Some one suggested that the operator might think she was being "kidded. An othcr call to the exchange resulted Tn sounding the alarm. There was a de- lay of about 10 minutes. however in getting the fircmen to headquarters and in case of a more serious fire, it might have resulted disastrously. The incident resulted in more violent criti- cism of the PlainVille fire alarm syS- tenn. The system has been the sub icct of diSScnsion for several months past and the majority of the prop crty owners feel that it is high time that something be done to remedy the defects.
 M r.. Church Notes.
 The Women's Foreign Missionary society will hold d food sale at the homo of Mrs. Frank White at the cor ncr of Broad and Whiting streets on Friday afternoon at ":30 o'clock.
 The Ladies Aid society of the Methodist Episcopal church will meet for sewing at 2:3o o'clock Friday aft ernoon al the home of Mrs White.
 Schedules Still Upset
 The trains and trolleys were run ming late again last night and today. The train from Bristol for Hartford. due hcrc%at 9:l5 last night, arrived a l1:4O o'clock. The last din1y from Hartford. due at 12 o'clock, arrived at i3:45 o'clock. The trains were late Saturday night. the train from Hart ford duo at 9:53 o'clock arriving at l1:55. The trolleNs are late every trip. tho Lazy Lane cars being 30 m in utes late usually, and the crews change cars in an attempt to keep on their own time.
 Brief Items.
 George skinner of Washington street spent the weekend as the guest of his brother, Peter. in New Brunswick, x. J.
 George Livingston Of Pearl street has entered the employ of the zarol company of Cincinnati O.. as a licens-