Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-07-09
MADE
To ASSESSMENT
Kicks on Cost of BordentoWn
and Pine Ave. Jobs at
South Amboy.
[By Evening News Correspondent
SOIJTH AMROY. July 9.-Repre

lBy Evening news IoTrespouucHNJ
SOUTH AMBOY, July 9.-Repre-
sented by Counsellor John A.. Coan,
4 large delegation of property own
srs on Bordentown and Pine v
nues appeared at the business meet
ing of the common council at the
City Hall last night to object to the
assessment of the entire cost OF the
improvements being made on those
thoroughfares against their proper
les. 80.
Rumors have been circulating with
some foundation, hat the entire cost
of the construction of the pavement.
curb and storm sewer on Borden
town avenue, and the cost of the
Pine avenue pavement would be lev
ed against the property benefited, in
stead Of the city bearing a portion
for street intersections, etc.
The situation is a peculiar one,
brought about by the present imam
cial condition Of the city. When n
contract for the Bordentown avenue
Improvement was entered into. the
city officials enormously belleVeo
that they were within the city's legal
percentage of net debt. At the nrst
of the year a settlement
the percentage of net debt TO the as
sessed valuation OF M city 10 oe
B.l4 was filed with the commissioner
of Municipal Accounts. 1t was later
found that this figure was arrived at
in error, and that the percentage of
net debt was 7.55 or .65 In excess OF
he legal limitation.
Recently the members of the
board Of freeholders, meeting with
the council. agreed to bear half the
cost of the construction of the storm
sewer. This will lessen the cost to
the city and property owners, 1t Is
estimated. about $500. The re-
mainder. however will have to be
raised by the sale of bonds for the
Improvement. Since the law says thai
The city may contract no further
debt while In excess of its debt
limit, the council Is in a quandry as
10 methods of financing h improve
ment. Debt incurred for an assess
ment improvement does not affect
the debt condition of the city, mas
much as the city, in assessments
against the property benefited would
have an account receivable In the
amount levied. If the city assumes a
portion of the debt. however, as mas
been done in the past with other I'm.
proponents. the amount IN excess OF
the Improvement would further IN
rease the percentage of debt.
The matter will probably get a
further airing at next Tuesdays
meeting, but 1t is hard 70
see. at the present time just what
the solution will be.
The property owners contend tnat
hey should not be forced to sun
IN obligation they did not incur
they stated, through Counsellor.
-oan that they were ready and Will
M to assume their fair proportion
the cost, but were not willing 10
,ay for the portions that should just
y be made by the city. It was init.
mated that legal proceedings would
be- Instituted to prevent the city
rom levying the entire cost OF the
upon the properties
llong the two thoroughfares.
All the councilmen. at last nights
meeting. voicsd the opinion that the
contemplated action. insofar as as
1essing the entire cost against the
properties. did not seem equitable,
and expressed the hope that a means
can be found to adjust what Is now
! much muddled situation.