The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-02-01

NO uGLIIllLc dCLlOIl ItiatiNc W tiS
revaluation of borough property
was taken at the special freemen's
meeting held Saturday afternoon in
the Gem Opera house. The meet
ing was called at the request or
hundreds Of citizens Of the borough
who were not satisfied with the
figures placed against their prop
erty for the purpose of taxation by
the re-valuation committee. While
about coo attended the meeting
only q few Of those present spoke
on the matter. This was thought
to be due to the fact that the bor-
ough assessors have already prac-
tically completed their lists. The
assassors used the figures of the
c-ynluation committee with a 10
per cent reduction. The general
increase made by the revaluatlon
committee amounted to 33 Id per
cent on all property
Warden Frank r. Green presided
at the meeting Saturday which
opened i'm the borough courtroom.
This court room would only ac-
commodatc small number OK
those who turned out ana the
meeting was adjourned to the OPP
era house.
Charles o. Fellows started the
BAH rolling at the meeting which
was expected to develop much
fireworks but eventually turned
out to be a tame affair. Mr. Eel
lows after talking on some length
on the increase in property vaiu-
ations offered a motion that the
old figures or property values be
used for computing the tax for
the coming year.
Previous to offering the motion
he questioned Warden as to what
compensation the members OF the
re-valuation and were allowed car
hire Of $3.50 per day not to exceed
100 days. Mr. Fellows inquired as
to who gave them permission TO
hire clerks. Warden Green stated
that 1t was customary In the past
when revaluations were made Tor
the borough to hire clerks to assist
in the work. Mr. Fellows ques-
toned the right Of Harry IL. Scho-
field to be member of the revalu.
alton committee and the board OF
assessors. He did not think it
was legal for him to be a member
of both and pass on his own fig
ures. He called attention to the
fact that after the revaluation fig
urcs were adopted by the assessors
and property owners started TO
make a big objection to the in
crease, Mr. Schoheld as an assessor
consented to o Is per cent reduc-
ton in all lists. The speaker
stated that he would like to know
when he was right.
Carl w. Thompson, former bor-
ough tax collector spoke at length
against the increase. lie sald
that many property owners In the
borough are having great difficulty
at present in paying their taxes.
Many of these he said would be
glad to dispose OF their property at
the figures put on by the re-Va lu-
alton committee, but cannot. lie
also stated that an increased grand
list meant that the borough would
pay more couny and state taxes az
these taxes are based on the grand
lists. Mr. Thompson in his talk
stated that his property valuation
had been increased A per cent by
the committee. 1t was no time
to increase property values In Mr.
Thompson's opinion.
Adam Raczkowski spoke at
length on the question. He want
co LIle VI Viz ~
committee rejected entirely by the
freemen.
1t was pointed out by Borough
Attorney Martin l.. Cainc that any
action the freemen or the borough
board might take in the matter
would not amount to u thing as
both the board of assessors ana
the board of relief are governed
entirely I'm their duties by the stact
statutes, unless they wanted to
abide by any vote passed.
Attorney william J. Neary,
member OF the revaluatiOn COM
mittee In 1920. In speaking to the
gathering stated that SAFE ana
sane attitude should be taken by
the freemen. Under the law
neither the board of assessors or
board of relief can be ordered to
do anything. They are the sole
ones to finally pass on all property
values. Attorney Neary stated that
1--WE appoint honest men to take
the retaliation and we should give
them honest and fair consideration.
In his opinion the best way out
of the situation would be TO have
the member or the revaluation
committee sit with the board OF
relief at their sessions SO that or
rors or grievances might be cor
rectcd. The whole matter should
be Viewed with an attitude toward
equalization rather than n prob
lem of values.
Mr. Fellows finally withdrew his
original motion. Discussions fol-
lowed by John Curtin, who said 1t
was all very well for persons who
had incomes from their property to
be satisfied with the values set
upon them but this was not so no
said with the working man today
who IL struggling for an existence.
lie thought the freemen should
take same action In the matter.
Rex King also was of the opinion
that It was within the power of the
trcemen to act in the matter.