The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-03-16
Biggest Building Year

hUuSs
 Biggest Building Year
 Last year was the biggest building year here the town has had in many years, he declared and although building will continue to be high this year, such action by the asses sors hurts the building program here by continuing to saddle the small taxpayer with the load and discour- ages new building because of failure to reduce taxes.
 MT. Hughes, who early last year released detailed charts predicting much building here and showing how much better of Naugatuck has been in many lines than other towns, has methodically computed the dif- ferences in the new grand list con- pared with the previous one.
 His figures show that assessors have assessed 56 more dwelling houses in the present list than in the previous list at an increased valuation of $l47,130. This is an average of $2,627 each.
 Although there were 3 less as- sessed this year in the barns, sheds and garage group, the valuation is $i0,955 higher than in the 1885 list.
 More Lots, Value Less
 An addition of 98h lots over the 1884 figure has resulted in decreased valuation by the assessorsr of $53,- 800, MT. Hughes points out. In the inside district where the full 24 mill rate of taxation is paid, there were 297l lots in the new list compared to 289l, in 1884. The new valuation of these lots is $3,440,660 which is $5S,75 less than the valuation of the lots in 1884. Tn the outside dis- trict, the new grand list shows 453 1-2 lots, 18 Ia more than in the previous list. Yet valuation of these lots is $4955 higher than that of the previous year. The question is asked, why should there he. an increased valuation with few more lots in the outside district, yet decreased assessment with 30 more lots in the inside district.
 Other figures in the comparison of the new and old lists, follow: Inside district, new list, eight less stores and other buildings at 8 decreased valuation of $29,4 for this district; six more in the outside district at an increase in valuation Of $3,070; a total decrease of two in both groups, and decrease in valuation of $26,42
 Fourteen more mills and manu- factories in the inside district in the new group with an increase in valuation of $2l ,485; five less in the outside district with value decreased by $4,900 total increase figuring both lists, 9 with valuation jump of $16,- 585.
 There was jump in acres of land In the inside district over the pre- Vjous list, of 132 1-2 acres, with a valuation increase of $23, ,295; in the outside section, there were 2l8 less acres with a valuation decrease of $a55, making total decrease of U5 l-2 acres and an increase of $22,- ,40 in value.
 There was total increase of 2 in the horses and mules classification and drop of $l,735 in their valua- ton. A decrease of 19 meat cattle resulted in drop of $925 in value.
 More Autos, Motorcycles
 There was an increase of 163 autos and motorcycles in the inside dis trict and Q decrease of four in the outside section. In the inside dis .Iict with the increase of 163, valua- ton was only $7,995 higher than in the 1884 district In the outside dis trict, with four less, valuation was $2.645 less.
 In considering the auto valuation 1t should be realized that valuation of cars kept by owners is less than in the previous year.
 There was 8 total increase of $14,- 050 in the jewelry valuation in the present list over the 1884 list, a de- crease of $l2,265 in the valuation of furniture, library and musical in- struments, 8 drop of $2,19O in valu- ation of mechanics tools, and, ac- cording to the new list, goods of manufacturers here are $23,3T5 less .han in the previous year. MT. Hughes thinks an explanation of this should be made in view of the assumption that with things improv- ing in 1895 over 1884, more goods would be stocked.
 He also points out that there has been quite a decrease in value of machinery here, drop of ese.4s0 being recorded. Value of cables, conduits and water pipes was sl,2T5 less than in the previous list.
 Value of sailing vessels remained | the same. Under the grouping "ali | 0tier taxable goods" there is e to- 1 tai increase of e6,e00 and because 1 more signed their properly lists l within the proper time there is 6 l decrease Of e7.320 in the amount usually collected when i0% extra