New Britain herald., 1928-02-04
BOARD SITS FIRM
 0N TAX RATE LID
"Pet Project' Almost Certain
 to Be Put iu Discard

Everybody seems to have ideas on public improvement and civic betterment and no one knows bet ter than the members of the board of finance and taxation how difficult it is to convince advocates of pet ideas that it is not possible to carry through their schemes summarily.
 The board had concluded it's an- nual sessions to hear estimates of expenses for city departments and while it is to be expected that a certain number of these matters, now wholly agreed to by the de- partments involved, will be in- cluded in the requests, this years 5 budget was unusually heavy"
 On Monday pruning" com- mittee will set out to draw and quarter" the budget. Needless to say many of the proponents of fla vorite measures are doomed to dis appointme nt-to do otherwise would be to send the tax rate skyward and Chairman E. F. Hall and his CO., horts are not likely to permit such action.
 "Not Now, Sometime"
 It cannot be argued that in al- most every instance, the requested appropriation would be of some benefit and use to at least a portion of the population. However, with constantly mounting municipal ser vices. it is the wish of the finance board that bare necessities and maintenance costs make up the bud get, and accordingly the usual mot now, but some time in the near fu- ture-perhaps," will be the watch word.
 It is a popular and easy process for member of the common coun- cil to receive delegation of iPate taxpayers who insist that something be done to improve road conditions in their locality. He presents a reso- lution to the common council ask ing that the public works and fi- nance boards be instruction. not re- questeG, tn provide for this work The board Of public works need have no scruples about forwarding the request to the board of finance, for after all, it is the proper thing to do, and taxpayers are entitled to consideration. But, viewing it from the standpoint of a member of the finance board. it is entirely differ cnt. The public insist that the tax rate be kept down and holds the board of finance responsible if it is rot. Much as they dislike to rip out an appropriation which seemingly had been sailing along merrily to- ward its port, it scenes necessary to do so-and out it goes. Then comes the howl of injustice ana impartiality. but the taxpayers some- times fail to realize that, if the'c street is to be repaired everytime 1t shows either a pimple or a dimple, then every other street should be, and the result would be taxes which would be unbearable and entirely cut of bounds.
 May Kill Washington Park
 This year . large sum of money is wanted for a park on the Wash ington school Grounds. What view the board will take is not known. but some members say that it is not a necessity. even though highly de. sirable and it's demise is not unex- Dected
 A group interested in bowling on greens has asked the park board to include an item of s5.000 for a bowling green at Willow Brook park. The viewpoint of the board is fairly well known on this proposi- ton and it isn't at all pleasing to the bowling greer advocates. An incinerator at S125.000. also wanted. That this amount will be appropriated this year is not likely yet there are many who will be displeased when the board makes known it's decision.
 And so it goes down the line, items being 'pruned' 10 the left and right and not cHe of Alc doomed appropriations without ardent SUD- porters expressing amazoment at the ignoring of an important civic Lettcrmcnt."