New Britain herald., 1924-02-09
BENJAMIN MILLER
 ' TALKS ID CHAMBER
Explains Workings Of Town Man.
 agerShip in Nest Hartford
SEEK AWARD FOR BRADLEY6
Italian Lodge Protests Immigration BiIl-Bank to Close Feb. 12 - 33S People Have Paid Personal Taxes Plain, file Briefs.

\ --Plainy file Briefs.
 \ Benjamin I. Miller, town manager i for West Hartford for the past five years, gave an interesting account oi ! his experiences al meeting Of the Plainville Chamber of Commerce last evening. About 40 members and 1 their friends were present and Mir 1 Miller,s remarks were a much discuss ed subject today. He compared the workings of the town managership in West Hartford with the system in vogue in Plainyile and expressed himself on many points of general in 1 terest to residents here.
 | He stated in the course of his re- marks that there are about 12.000 in- habitants in West Hartford and that the grand list there amounts to S2S,- 100000 which is considerably larger than Plainyille in proportion to the approximate census here of 4,500 per sons and a grand total list of between S4,000,000 and $5,000,0e0. He stated that in compiling this grand list, the assessments on the various pieces of property were made by the unit sys- tenn. In most every case, the size, age and other descriptive points of a building were taken into consideration and the land values were laid about the same as they are here. He stated that this system has, with few excep- tons, been received with favor by the property owners in the town of which he is the head,
 He explained the method used re- garding the finances of the town, say ing that a finance board Is formed which looks into and discusses the ex- penditurcs of the town. The manner in which this is worked is by each de- partment Of the town government. making out a budget for the year.
 These budgets arc then passed on 10 the town manager who in turn con siders them. He has the power to cut them or alter them according to his best judgment and from them, he complies town budget. This in turn is passed to the finance board for final action.
 He spoke of the sewers which is an item which will soon need the attcn- ton of the people in Plainville. He advised that on surface water the outlets be made inso every available brook and stream. This not only does away with the main trunk line, but also diminishes the possibilities of a flood by the main becoming clogged. He stated that good sewer system is one of the most important things in town.
 He described the difference in value of property in West Hartford and Plainvlllc by saying that the towns were built differently. In Platnyille, he said, the center had been built first and the town had spread much the same as a tree with it's branches from the main trunk. In West Hart ford, the outskirts were first built and then converged into the center. De- scribing the benefits of tbis he said that it was possible to map out streets in a better way, make the town more beautiful and practical and in that way make the property more valuable.
 The work of the town plan com mission is practically the same as is in use in Plainville. The commission fixes the damages and assessments on and the owners have chance to appeal within 90 days.
 He stated that the entire work of the board of selectmen in West Hart ford is to make voters. All other work is carried on by the town man. agers. He handles the payments for the town and other work in it.
 He said that a town manager is ap pointed by the members Of a council elected from each district. In West Hartford. there are three districts | with three representatives from each | district on the council. They appoint I ed Mir. Miller as town manager for an l. indefinite period and they reserve the l -igstto oust him at any time for cause. | In some places the manager is ap- { pointed for q specified length of time. I put in West Hartford the appointment | s indefinite. The town manager can lot exceed an appropriation more han y200. There are no town meet ngs held in West Hartford. but one nay be called by a petition of 20 'oters
 Following his talk. the members ,lied Nlr. Miller with questions re- ,arding details of the government and ifs answers were to the point and ap- ,arently satisfactory.
 Committee on Award
 Prior to the meeting of the mem-