The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-01-12
Politics
 M Passing

Alderman Richard Bensen, COP minority leader on the board, rela- tive to calling Q special session of the board to take action on the rity's revaluation survey. There has heen d lot of charter studyinR of recent days and nowhere does this "hible" provide the aldermen with any authority or power to set aside valuations on property or an estab- lished budget and tax-rate. As Q matter of fact the 1946 budget, adopted last December by Q board of which Mir Bensen was himself a member, is in full force right at the moment. Expenditures have been made according to appropriations set up under 1t; the city has met the bonded debt principle and in- terest payments due in both the general and water funds on Janu- ary l. To set aside this document would be to encourage litigation which would probably result in al- most immediate cessation of all city services. Waterbury could well be without police or fire protection, educational services, water and lights. There are terrifying pros- poets to any disarrangement of the current budget, which certainly should cause even Republicans and professional agitators to think twice before encouraging a move to set aside the budget, tax rate, and as kessments.
 That of course, would not effect suits brought by individuals who are dissatisfied with the figures placed on their property. Such could be brought after fulfilling with the legal requirements. which seem to Indicate that the case must be car- ried to the Assessor, next to- the Board of Tax Review, then to the Court of Common Pleas. After that 1here would be the possibility of preme Court, but 1t would seem to Do doubtful that an adverse deCi- sion against D property by the Court of Common Pleas would be carried to the Supreme Court, but 1t could be done The unfortu- nate part of Waterbury's dosage of assessments Is that it's full strength This city did not comply with the Jaw requiring 10-year revaluatiOns, 90 now. what with economic cOndi- 4iOns as they are, the check.up is b terrific one.
 Local Democrats were apathetic about last nights meeting of the State Central Committee in New Haven. Apparently there are no longer district schools of thought in Connecticut on control of the state party. Election of Town Clerk John Mcclure of Wallingford pro- ceeded as per schedule. It was a further step by Senator Brien Me Mahon to strengthen his hold on the party here in Connecticut. While Senator McMahon hasn't as yet stepped into the position held by the late Francis T. Maloney he bids fair to be the dominant figure in state politics when next 1t comes time to meet in convention to make nominations.
 10 will be interesting to see just hOw many taxpayers in Waterbury have long memories this year. A lot bas been said during the current revaluatiOn squabble about not talk. ing interest in the public hearing called by the aldermen for the pur- pose of discussing the budget. Sel- dom, if ever, does anybody appear nt this hearing other than members of the Board of Aldermen. Such was the case last December when the 1946 budget and tax rate were adopted. But a lot of people are now berating themselves for not being present to question the alder men on these topics. The next such chance they will have will be in December, 1946. Cut this out and paste it on your calendar at home, 70 that you can be reminded in December of the occasion. The odds are that few taxpayers will be pres- ent.
 Strictly speaking there isn't too much that a taxpayer can say or do at such a public hearing, unless he is pretty familiar with city bud- gets. And after all he shouldn't be obliged to do too much complain ing. The budget preparation has been a prolonged and careful one. Departmental heads have gone over their current year expenditures and have set upt new budget on the result of this experience and ex- pectations in the year to come. Such estimates have been thoroughly checked and proved out by the Budget Director who has consulted personally with each and every de- partnsent head before the estimates were even set down on paper. After typing, the Budget Director has presented the completed estimates to the Board of Finance which has studied the same at great length and probably after calling department heads before it for explanation of various appropriation items. When the Finance Board has finished with at the Aldermen have their turn. Their approval plus the mayors signature makes it oflcial.
 It's unfortunate, of course, that so many taxpayers now find the e'saueeze" being applied to them. They have had the benefit of a low tax simply because the assessment was low. Whereas somebody else whose property was assessed up to market value or perhaps OyeF-as- nessed paid more taxes than he should have. The new system would get rid of all such inequalities, but unfortunately. In, doing so. treads very hard on the toes of some tax payers just at a time when it hurts the most. There's no doubt but what f Waterbury surmOunts this present turmoil It's system of valu- bng property and Ievying assess Naents win one day be q model for Che entire Unted States. The same. though. won't. be. accomplished without much labor. loss of political face, and DeFhaps political upsets.
 Frank '. Orahams story of Alfred H. smith is more than a mere biog-