The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-02-14

'AOlll EdkG -
board. swhen Major Costigan was
appointed by the Mayor to the
Finance Board, Mr.. Benson is re-
ported to have shown open dissp-
pointment
Known For Week
The planned resignation of the
popular major has been known for
more than week. but was not
officially made known. so that the
Mayor, Major Costigan and Mr.
Benson might consult on a success
Sor.
The matter is now said to be
deadlocked because OF the insist
ence of Mr.. Bensen that former
Alderman William Kolbeck be
named. 1t is further understood
that it is the town chairman's de-
sire that Mr.. Kolbeck be named
only as an alderman, while he. Mr..
Benson, be named as Finance Board
successor. Mr.. Kolbeck was not re-
nominated by his party last year.
Major Costigan repeatedly is urg-
ing appointment Of Raymond Sny-
der, unsuccessful COP mayoralty
candidate in last years election.
Mr.. Snyder led a stiff race for the
top position in the election.
Mayor Monagan is giving strong
consideration 10 the appointment Of
former Alderman William v. Gerar-
di who was defeated last year while,
ironically enough, leading his Re-
publican associates by a majority
Of approximately All votes. The
only COP candidate not sponsored
by the Independent Democratic
Party, this factor led 10 his defeat.
Mr.. Gerard was also the Finance
Board representative during his in
cumbency.
Major In Boston
Major Costigan was in Boston
today and could not be reached for
comment as to when he proposed
to formally resign. 1t was said that
it may be another month before it
becomes fact.
1t is known that he is not desir-
Gus of having the breach in the
party ranks known for the sake OF
the party itself. However, the facts
have been evident for sometime
within political circles.
The most evident display Of the
breach was shown at the last meet
ing of the Board OF Aldermen when
Major Costigan voted AYE" along
with Democrats in favor OF a $4,000
transfer for the assessors office.
This. transfer was for purposes Of
defraying the costs OF clerical work
and other measures necessary for
computing tax attachments for Wa
terhury's veterans. 1t was also TO be
used partially for the final compila-
ton Of the assessment abstract.
The Republicans led by Mr. Ben
sen and Burton Walker voted solidly
in opposition to the proposed trans
fer. Major Costigan had previously
voted in favor when the measure
first appeared before the Finance
Board and told the Aldermanic
members he could not and would
not change his position, feeling that
tt' measure was justified. He stress
ed that he represented the entire
board and not just the Republicans.
It was known that night that the
Republican members met in caucus
without Major Costigan.
Various Factors Observed
During the last six weeks various
other factors have tended TO create
the present breach. Most OF these
have centered on the current revalu-
alton situation. Major Costigan has
been a strong advocate OF some i'm
mediate adjustment Of the revalua-
ton for the sake Of the property
owners but is on record for making
the adjustments in an orderly"
fashion.
At one time Mr.. Bensen publicly
announced that his COP associates
on the Aldermanic Board were UNI
anlmously In favor OF suspending
the 1915 proposed Grand List In
favor OF the 1914 List. This an
nouncement followed closely upon
a previous caucus OF the members,
when It Is said such a measure was
not adopted. Major costigan at that
time replied puhllcaliy that Mr..
Benson was not talking for him."
II has become evident that the
breach consists OF more than q diff
ference OF opinion between the pop
ular war veteran and the COP
Town Chairman. IT Is said TO have
resulted In disruption OF the entire
party In many ways with the re-
suit that no distinct leadership is
evident at this time, ..
Intra-PaFty schemes Out
II was implied during the last
election that the lack OF sponsorship
OF Mr.. Gerard by the Independent
Democrats was the result OF an
agreement" between leaders OF that
party and Republican leaders. This
was for the purpose OF defeating
Mr.. Gerard. that the Finance post
might be opened 10 another COP
member, presumably the COP Town
Chairman. While the move was sue
eessful In defeating Mr.. Gerard,