New Britain herald., 1929-05-16

charter revision committee. The ob- stacle in the path of it's adoption is the necessity of making changes in practices in the office of tho board of assessors and in the tax collectors office. It will take some time to work out these matterA For that reason. wish to recommend to your honorable body that . special com mittee be authorized to work out . plan of semi-annual collection of taxes.
 Interest Charges
 No doubt you have been informed of the petition presented by me to the cities and boroughs committee of the legislature to have the inter- est charges 6n unpaid tax accounts reduced from 1e per cent to per cent, on accounts standing unpaid after one year.
 ''The state tax commissioner pro- tested against . change, his only argument being that many persons speculate with the money which should have been paid by them in taxes. There may be such instances in other cities. but the practice could be curbed under the statute which allows the collector to demand pay ment after one year and forecloss if his demand is ignored.
 But why should there be opposi- ton to a law which is affecting near ly every poor man in the state of Connecticut. A reduction is par ticularly desirable at this time when many are losing their homes. while the state, with its 1. per cent penalty law is doing nothing to help conditions. If there was a chance of escape from the payment of taxes on property. would say the pres ent law is a good one. But, real property is lienable, and the city or town cannot lose. On the other hand. personal property is not lien- able, has but nine per cent pen alty charge. and the city and state is losing every year.
 Again l repeat. this law Is un- just. I respectfully ask that tire common council keep this matter in mind, and at the next session of the legislature exert every effort to bring about . reduction in the inter- est charge.
 Auditing
 ' 'The board of finance and taxation has made an appropriation this year for the auditing of all municipal ac- counts. This is . businesslike measure which should have been put in effect many years ago. It is sur- prising when the methods of this municipal corporation are compared with those of industrial corporations in our city, to see how far behind modern methods we have been. with reference to audits.
 T would recommend that com plete audit be made at least twice . year. It would we advisable, also for the city to employ . part-time auditor who would be in constant touch with city finances and depart mental records. This plan has been put in effect by municipalities in this state and elsewhere and has worked out most satisfactorily. Sev. eral accounting firms are nov mak- ring a study of methods in vogue in municipal departments, and bids on the contract for auditing will soon be before your honorable body.
 Department of Public Works "A word of praise is due the de- partment of public works for the splendid way it has performed lts tasks during the year. The methods employed in oiling highways was an outstanding example of its work. More streets were treated than ever before, and from the best statistics available. the cost for oil was about s10,000 less than the preceding year, This is the result of proper handling and cutting down on wastage. Continued study of modern methods of executing public im- provements have resulted in the purchase of much mechanical eauip- ment by the department of public works, with the result that great economies have been brought about
 The department has added to iti equipment during the year. snow loader, a tractor, q road roller and numerous smaller pieces of time and money saving machinery.
 The department has also done much to beautify the city through the planting of shade trees. Mem. bers of the common council should take it upon themselves to see tha, their constituents are informed O the fact that the department wi, plant shade trees in front of home, at very small cost.
 Fire Department
 i Little need be said of the fire de partment. This is one branch of tn, city government, the efficiency o which is constantly being demon
 strated. Fire losses are being kep at a low figure through prope
 knowledge of fire fighting method
 and capable supervision by the chic
 and his assistants. The morale i
 high. and the cooperation of tn
 members of this department is mos
 pleasing. The work of fire preven
 ton has been put in a scientific basi
 through proper inspection. and is a
 important factor in the department success. The Barnesdale section c
 the city is much in need of fire fight ing facilities The city cannot b
 considered to be properly protecte
 until station is built which wi serve that district The commo council should keep this project i
 mind as one of the first for execu ton.
 Police Department
 Police department work is pei haps the most unplea sant in the lon