New Britain herald., 1930-12-12
LAND VALUATIONS ON THE NEW BASIS

ON THE NEW BASIS
 On the broad general principle that 1ny well-directed attempt to reyalue property tor taxation pur- poses will result in an improvement, the first announced results ot the special committee which has been grappling with the problem must be regarded as . step in the direction that the city must take 10 equaii-e it's rates. Whether what has been done so lar will prove of lasting satisfaction NC do not know.
 It vas q toregonc conclusion from the first that the new rates, in departing from the old, would in- crease the taxes in some sections Of the city and reduce them III others That was the purpose Johul equalization" All students Of tax ation methods are agreed that Inc fundamentals or an equitable system rest upon a scientifically determined front foot unit Of value.
 Most cities have followed antlquat- ed procedure in determining the value Of property, The result natur- ally is an negotiable distribution of the tax burden. Fixed standards in taxation are as necessary as yard sticks. quart measures and tape lines in the measurements Of commoli- ties.
 The scientific method Is to first determine the value Of streets When the personal clement, influence and ''pulT' is eliminated, and consider ation IS first given 10 the value ot streets. not individual property, q good basis for equalization is obtain ed. It IS not difficult to ascertain which streets are the more valuable.
 Property abutting on the most valuable street would be rated at 100 per cent. the property on the next most valuable street at 99 per cent or lover. as the case may be; and thus a downward graduating process takes in property along the entire gamut Of streets as valued.
 The next step naturally is the fix ing Of tentative unit foot values Of abuttlng property based on the value which each street bears in its relationship to location. accessibilj. . ty, traffic, etc. When this is done maps can be prepared, giving tax payers an opportunity to be heard regarding the assessments. Of course, buildings usually arc meas ured and appraised on q square foot cost basis with standard deduction for depreciation. etc.
 The foregoing is the method utilized by perhaps the foremost aP- praisal company in America When the matter Of equalization vas brought up in this city 1t vas s1@- gested that such a concern be en- ployed. but in order 10 save ti'e necessary fee. the work was done by local talent. We are not prepared tc say at this time how the work will or does compare with that Whlcf might have been done by fore most appraisal company. The gen, tlemen involved in it probably be- lieve. and possibly can prove. tha' their work. when finally completed will be found as thorough and sat isfactory as that which might have been done by any expert appraisers If they do we hope they are right The city has saved the fee Of out. side experts, anyway.
 The tendency of the changes a' made public so far indicate that thf more well-to-do sections of the ci'! will pay on basis of higher lanC valuations, while other less favored parts of the city will be favored wit lower valuations. And when all th' smoke has cleared away. We are told there will be no reduction in tn grand list.
 It so happens that property on tn' whole has descended materially il value since the late stock unpleas antness, which ushered in tn change in sentiment regarding realt. values, and that throughout the cit, as a whole there is less value il realty. That being the case and thu new land valuations causing tn grand list 10 remain the same ;n stead of descending. it must meal that taxes from q practical stand point will be raised even should tN' next mill rate not be changed iron the present rate. In other words enough people will be paying on { larxer-instead of a lower valuation