Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-01-05
GUT |NLOCAL
UNEXPECTED
City Comptroller Sees Indica-
tions That Decrease Will
Come in 1921 Over 1920
RESTS WITH SCHOOLS
Canbe Done if 1921 Appropri-
alton is Not Higher Than
That of Past Year.
RESTS WITH SCHOOLS

Present indications point to a
lowering Of the Perth Amboy city
tax rate for 1921 as compared with
that of last year City Comptroller
o. l.. Morgensen stated this morning.
II the school appropriation this
year Is not In excess of the amount
given the school last year. plus $780,
900, to cover the payment of emer-
gency bonuses, Mr.. Morgensen said.
the public can expect drop In tax
rate. He said he was unable to give
any tentative figures, as this years
valuations had not been made
known to him, and he had used last
years valuations in arriving at his
conclusion OF g. lower tax rate.
The assessed valuations in Perth
Amboy last year were: Land. S10,-
SQ7 7.410; improvements. S10.130.-
0S5; second class railroad. $1,651,-
607; personal. $10,066.s25. Perth
Amboy's tax rate last year was the
second highest in the county, $3.50
per 500. Jamesburg With $4.52
was the highest in the county. Dun
ellen also had rate of $3.50. while
Woodbridge had 1929 which, how
es for lights, fire, etc. Perth Am
boy city tax in 1913 was 1886, last
years increase being ninety-four
cent increase.
just how much of reduction can
be expected will not be known until
the school appropriation has been
made. 1t is possible that the amount
needed by the Board of Education
this year win not equal that appro-
priated last year owing to the de-
crease in the cost of building mate
rial and supplies.
Railroad Tax.
City Comptroller Morgensen this
morning stated that the state
Treasurer had communicated with
and informed him that the
balance of railroad taxes
still duethe city amounting
to Approximately, $16,00O-would
be sent the city before Dec. 1 of
tax for the city was $71.01910 of
which only s55,493.s1 has been re-
ceived to date. The comptroller
took up with the state treasurer the
matter Of securing the balance due
the city about two weeks ago and
has just been notified that the re-
mainder will be Forthcoming some
time during the year.
The 1921 sinking fund commits
sion will organize at a meeting to
be held tonight in the city treasur-
er's Office. A new member, Nathan
iel w. Pierce, Jr., who was appoint-
ed by Mayor William G. Wilson to
succeed Fred Hansen. will be pres
ent at tonight's meeting. Mr.. Pierce
was sworn in by City Clerk Arthur
L. Graham this morning. The Off
GERS of last years sinking fund COM
mission are Isaac Alpern, president;
Ferd Garretson, treasurer. and q. J.
Morgensen, secretary. The other
members were Fred Hansen and
Jesse Seaman.
A report on the condition of the
sinking fund as found by an auditor
from the state department of NUM-
cipal accounts was read at the al
dermanic meeting on Monday night.
An examination of the assets and
liabilities. receipts and disburse-
ments of the commission showed
the accounts to be correct. A list
of term bonds controlled by the
sinking fund and arranged accord
ing to their maturity was presented
and cash balances were verified by
certificates from the repositories.
The commission is complimented in
the report on the condition of the
fund. A report of the condition of
the sinking fund on December 81,
1919, showed: Cash on hand. $780,
404.S4; investment in bonds, all mu-
nicipal with the exception of $4,000
in liberty bonds. $728.270.S6: due
the commission from the city for
taxes and assessments prior to jan
uaiy 1, 1917, $1SS,812.S9, making a
total of s943,488.59.
The state department of munich
pal accounts has also sent commu-
nication to Comptroller Morgensen
in which it states that a general
survey of the accounting system.
completed December 81. 1920. shows
a marked improvement since Mr..
Morgensen assumed Office as comp
troller.