New Britain herald., 1923-01-09
BELWDERE OBJECTS
 ID NEW TAX ZONE
Residents StrtnuOasly Protest
 Against Move at Hearing

vision committee that was discussed al length al the public hearing last night iR the common council cham ter al City Hall was the movement to include RelNideFe and several othr er sections now outside the second taxing district, within that area Of higher tak, Strenuous opposition was voiced on the part ef Stanley Quarter residents lead by F, q, kiihourne, James R, HalloTan, 4, noFhaeh and Michael F. seghsrn,
 President r, s, Chamberlain and Assessor Edward A, Mccarthy carried the greater part Of the argument Of the opponents,
 Ex.Mayar q. r. Curtis made what was his first appearance in municipal governmental affairs since retiring from the chief executives chair. He took part in several discussions, being partienlarly interested in eontinna- iian Of the civil service system which the charter revisionisis propose 10 do away with.
 Criticism of Water Main.
 "A most malicious and vicious Amendment" was the characterization made by E. Q. kiihonrne of the pro- posal to tax 10 per cent per annum for 10 years Of the cost or installing water mains, He fell it would dis. courage building and hinder growth. Senator Richard Covert explained the amendment arguing that it would have the opposite effect.
 Charles s. Andrews pointed out that the present rate is only per cent and he felt there was no occasion for an increase. Mr. Kilbourne was Of the same mind.
 Ex-Mayor O. F. Curtis thought the new idea. taxing against all abutting properties. would bring about extcn- sions in building.
 Would Condemn Land.
 Mir. Kilbourne continued to voice objection against the 10 per cent clause.
 F.. w. Schultz spoke in favor of a resolution which he had brought be- the public works board to condemn land necessary to lay out and grade streets, and to assess benefits and damages. There was no objection.
 Wants Civil Service Retained.
 Ex-Mayor Curtis opposed the abol- ishment of civil service. He felt some amendments to the present rules would be advisable. Such action | would demoralize the police and fire in few years. he felt, and would throw the entire depart ments into politics. He readily ad- mitted that the present system is a joke.
 Mir. Kilboume and NJ. Coue.
 Paraphrasing Dr. Coue's maxim. MT. Kilbourne said: Year by year it was getter better and better until the changed. If the present | president of the board of finance and | taxation remained 16 years longer the | first district would pay all the taxes | and bonus to the second district"
 He pointed out that he and his neighbors arc, paying for garbage col lection and police and fire protection, all of which they do not receive. Only four per cent of the streets are be- ing cared for by the city. he said.
 McNahon Vs. Kilbournc- Halloran.
 P. s. McMahon warned that Kill bourne is a member of the school beard and that his board is responsi- ble for most of the expense.
 Protesting against the tax. J. R. Halloran advised that some of the tax be placed around the corner of Main and East Main streets. He felt he and his neighbors were paying 
 Mir. McMahon felt the civil service system is an incentive to study.
 Mir. Halloran felt that since the city is ready to offer no substitute the present form should be retained.
 Chairman John E. R. Keevers spoke in favor of revision rather than elim- nation of the civil service.
 After Lawyer D. l.. Nair. chairman of the committee, had read pro- posed amendment extending the linn its of the second taxing district to include. among other sections, all of Stanley Quarter within the city linn its, ex-Mayor Curtis asked that maps be shown.
 Bclvidcrc Speaks.
 Mir. Kilbourne opened the attack of the Belvidere residents by calling at- tention to the fact that in 1906 when the city and town consolidated, the first district paid nine mills and the second. six.
 President F. s. Chamberlain of the board of finance and taxation said that the present districts were es- .abished in 1905 and since that time conditions in that locality have been changed. He argued that an elabor- ate sewer system has been worked up md the complaining district has paid nothing toward this system. Belvi- iere should be thankful since a sewer is in prospect he said. Not cent of ax received from Beividere goes to- ward sewer maintenance or construc- ton.
 M. ?. Leghorn said the big sewer