The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-04-17

nS DanlSn minlSteE tO Os D. uC- spite order by Nazi-held Copen- hagen government to return home after placing of Greenland under American protection.
 ing as a self-insurer. A recent report of the American Municipal Associa- ton states that a group of cities in nine states paid $2,500, ,000.00 In in- surance premiums and received only $350, ,00000 in losses. The United States Conference of Mayors recent ly went on record recommending that a survey be made of fire in- surance rates throughout the coun- try. The recommendation is made in our report that consideration be giv- en by the City administration to the dropping of fire casualty and boiler insurance policies as they fall due in all instances where the risk Is sufficiently spread, and where the circumstances are such that the pro- cedure would be warranted. Copies of this report will be distributed to our members in the near future.
 Assessment Department Survey
 Our next report covers the as- sessment procedures of the Board of Tax Commissioners and Appor- tionment and the Board of Tax Re- view. This Is the first really thor ough study that we have had time to make. It covers the functions, &C., tivity, organization, staff, policies and procedures of the Department. Tn nutshell, the findings of the report are: CD That outmoded, and unscientific methods are in use; (2) That recognized assessment princi- ples are not being followed; (0 That the absence of adequate standards renders the equitable assessment oi all taxpayers unlikely; (D That the present assessment organization Is not conducive to the greatest oper- ating efficiency. Recommendations are contained in the report, which If carried out, will, in our opinion give Waterbury an efficient assess ment organization comparable to those of the more progressive cities Tn addition, substantial economies can be effected.
 Real Estate Revaluation
 Tn the course of our survey or the assessors office, some consid' eration was given to the; statutory requirement. for a real estate reval' uation every ten years. A $5,000 ap' propriation is made in the curren budget as the first step in such revaluation. The 1880 revaluation which was never completed ant which cost the city approximatel, $80,000, can, to great extent, b' salvaged and put Into effect Th' cost of this work by group of ex pert appraisers would approximate $l0,000. This would be a saving O approximately $70,000 Our repor on the assessors office and th' recommendation for a revaluatioi of city property Is at present beinI studied by the mayor.
 Long, Range Capital Improvement
 Program
 A twelve year capital improve ment program requiring $3,05O'00' bond issue was proposed by thu controller. A study made of th' program by your association showed that $84l ,000 could be saved b. adopting a pay -as-you-go method o financing capital Improvements However, in view of the fact tha the second pipe line Is urgentl, needed by the city, your associa tioi recommended that bonds for tha project be issued, and that all othe improvements be financed on a pay as-you-go basis. This recommenda ton has been adopted, with $l00,00 included for @ trade school in addi ton to the $2,000,000 for @ secont pipe line and third dam. A savini in excess of $200,000 in interest wil thus result. The mayor, in lette to this association, has thanked Il for the assistance we have rendere' by our study of the capital improve ment program.
 Water Rates
 Our most recent report covers tn present method of financing tn Water Department. As result O this study, 1t has been found tha Waterbury water rates are no equitable as among different type of consumers, ana that a readjust ment in rates providing for a slidin! scale is not only desirable ant equitable, but essential, if the Wate Department is ever to be put on sound, business-like basis paying 1t own operating costs. A committed to study the water rate situation will be appointed by the mayo shortly. Copies of our report vii De given the committee.
 Refuse Collection
 As a result of request from th' mayors Refuse Collection Commit tee for our views on the need fo and desirability of municipal collec lection, we are initiating a study O the problems incident to the func ton of refuse collection and dis posal. We hope to have a repor ready on this matter in a couple o weeks.
 Other Work
 Tn addition to our regular depart mental studies which we have beel carrying on, the office of your asso ciation is set up to act as a clear ing house on local government fo the entire community. A city off cial may want to know what expcn Al. ...Ha