New Britain herald., 1928-02-28

lectmen waste S10o. but none if the assessors lose several thousands" he said.
 Made Investigation Here Commissioner Blodgett revealed the fact that within the past year he had sent an investigator here io examine the assessments. The in- Quiry revealed unflattering facts about them. he said. and did not read the report, although he had il with him. It would make you un- happy" he explained.
 The way out. he concluded, lay in the adoption of the committees re- commentators. as a new plan was becoming increasingly needed. John J. kimmel. former first se- lectman and former chairman of the board Of assessors, asked how reval- uation had come out in Rocky Hill MT. Blodgett admitted it had been a failure there. but said that the as- sessors themselves had refused to work with the new machinery and that he doubted if they were capable Of reading the aerial maps Reply ing to a question by Frank Usher, the commissioner said aerial maps were more accurate than engineers maps except in metropolitan districts as they showed the character of the land. Answering another query, he stated that the assessors could re- ject the plan If they wanted but that a bill could be put through legislat- ure for change of system. He ad . vocated one-man assessment sys- tenn where possible.
 Close Vote on Resolution A resolution empowering the se- lectmen to appoint g. committee of seven. representing various interests, to serve without pay and to have full authority to cause a revaluation of all taxable property for the assist ance of the assessors was then intro- duced by MT. Washburn. It was signed by all members of the con- mittee and further instructed the new body to employ an outside ap- praisal company. Joseph Mccarthy, seconded the resolution and, surpris- ingly. there was no discussion. The resolution was barely carried. 156- 134. The nays" had a bare major- ity on the main floor but only three or four adhererts in the balcony.
 Mr. Washburn then read the com petitive bids. one of sl5,O00 from Cambria, Roth & Cambria; one of s11,000 from the Municipal Service Co.,: and one of slO.5oo from the Manufacturers Appraisal Go. He moved that the last be accepted and the committee instructed to enter into contract. the company to fur nish bond of $G,0o0 to assure full fillment of the contract. He said the work would be done by October 1 or a penalty would be evoked.
 Assessor Robert J. Coe asked how much work the citizens committee would have to do, and Commissioner Blodgett said it fixed the front foot values of the land. the company then applying a scale for depths and grades. "The success of revaluation Twill rest very largely on how atten- tive your land value committee is. he concluded.
 Admits "Haphazsrd' Work
 The assessors work was "haphaz- ard" as claimed at the previous meeting, MT. Coe admitted, but said nothing else was possible in the time available and with the lack of a basis of values. The "guesses" of the board. however, would be found not far wrong, he opined, saying they were fair and had the best basis possible under the circumstance es.
 John Skinner charged that Mir. Coe was not in town during the as- sessing, but Stanley M. Smith. chair man of the board of assessors, took Mir. Goes part and said he did not leave until nothing but clerical work remained.
 "The assessors don't know the diff ference between a house and gar- age," Michael Kosenko charged, say ing his house was valued at $1,50O and his garage at s2,000. He said he was against having the present assessors on the reyaluing commit tee.
 The assessors ought to resign" :" Mir. Peace shouted, and a burst of applause followed the remark. When Mir. Smith attempted to speak in re- ply he was drowned out by pro- longed handclapping. and MT. Gwil- linn snapped. Give him d chance. The job doesn't pay much and none of you had the nerve to take it.'
 A nonresident then attempted to attack the decision in favor of re- valuation but Mr. Gwillim peremp- torily and effectively silenced him, saying he was out of order and that the meeting preferred to listen to citizens of the town. George Levitt condemned the manner in which the recent assessment was made but said he had nothing but praise for the assessors themselves.
 Assessor Calls 1t "Cnfair"
 'T was the only one Of the three assessors who did much work" As- sessor Schuyler P. Williams said.
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