The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-05-09

IUfI OF the Spectators. COulCAl
spokesman were heavily applauded
and on one occasion, city represent
atiVes, were booed. The meeting
however was orderly at all times
with both sides being given all the
time necessary to present argu-
ments.
Partisan lines heretofore
somewhat distinct on the mat
ter Of Waterbury's controversial
revaluatiOn issue lost all indi-
ViduaIity yesterday when Wa
terbury's COP leaders appeared
at the meeting and supported
the Democratic administrations
bill.
Republican leaders speaking
against the Community Clubs in
cllded William }. Pape, publisher
of the Waterbury Americana epub-
lican, whose firm instituted suit
against the city, but a few months
ago on the matter of revaluation
and then later asked for permis-
sion to withdraw; Attorney j. War
rem Epson, former state central
committeeman and attorney for Mr..
Pape, and Richard D. Benson, COP
toVa chairman. This action came
as shocking surprise to Commun-
ity Club members who bitterly as
sailed the men following the hear
ing. The verbal accusatory attack
took place outside the chambers in
the hall as members OF the eXecu-
tive committee of the local Com
munity Clubs accused the men of
sell out"
Speaking for the administration
other than Atty. Fitzgerald were
Corporation Counsel Maurice T..
Healey; Chief Assessor Aldro jerks;
Budget Director Arnold E. Furlong;
Mayor John S. Monagan; John Bro
ply, chairman of the Retaliation
Committee and local legislators,
Sen. Edward P. Egan and Repre-
sentatives John Membrino and
Daniel ]. Mahaney. Sen. Patrick
Wallace did not indicate participa-
ton because. of his position as clerk
on the Finance Committee.
Speakers for the Council were,
other than Mr.. Blodgett, Attorney
William w. eager; William o. Tay-
lor president of the Council; An
thony r. MARITIME and Oscar Lie
breich, co-chairmen OF the Councils
legislative committee; Floyd Ras-
n1ussen; Aaron Yarvin and Joseph
Cepelak
The hearing opened shortly
after p. M. at the call of
Chairman Sen. Nicholas j.
Spellman Cd, Norwich. A short
recess was called to permit rep
resentatives of both sides to
leave the room and arrange for
order Of speakers and speaking
procedure. The cityis admins
tratiOn was chosen to present
their side first.
Sen. Edward Egan opened the
proceedings with a short address to
the committee in. support of the ad-
ministration'S bill. Briefly reviewing
the history of the revaluation and
noting that it has already cost APP
proximately 100000 he urged adop-
ton Of the administrators bill
claiming that the Councils bill
would result in financial chaos to
the city. He paid note to the fact
that Al percent of the taxes, pre-
missed on the revaluated Grand List
were already collected.
Sen. Egan was followed by Rep.
Membrino who also urged adoption
of the bill on the basis of its pro-
visions for all aggrieved taxpayers
who did not receive the opportunity
last February to get a hearing"
The city's bill, as he pointed out,
provides for special session of the
Board OF Tax Review from June 10
to August l. He paid note to the
fact also that the bill provides for
redress by such taxpayers TO the
Court of Common Pleas in the event
the taxpayer is not satisfied.
Rep. Mahaney who had to sit in
as member of the Appropriation
committee then in session, spoke
briefly as going on record for the
administration bill, and then was
excused by the chairman.
Mayor John S. MOnagan then
addressed the committee and
reviewed the history of Water
"" y . doSCSSuICHtS. ANUblHS thC
fact that no actual assessment
was even undertaken in Water
bury. MIR. MARITIME later called
attention to the 1880 COnnOlley
revaluatiOn that was never put
into effect said that the re-
valuation was taken following a
survey made by State Tax Com
missioner Walter w. Walsh.
The survey had resulted from
an assessors bill introduced by
local Republicans in the 1913
legislature and which, though,
passed, was vetoed by Republic
can Governor Raymond f.
Baldwin as being too political
THE local administration then
introduced the present bill in
last years legislature, endorsed
by the Republicans, which was
passed..
I'VE sought aq equitable assess
ment of property in the city" the
Mayor said, land that was and is
the fundamental purpose OF the Or
iginal BILL
He told OF his selection OF non
partisan Revaluation Committee
which selected the George 3. Koran
Co., from group of other bidding
concerns, to undertake the revalu-
alton. This was then approved by
the Board of Aldermen and the re-
valuation was completed.
Referring to the public reaction
OF protest which set in because of
the increased valuations on small
homeowners, the Mayor said that
he was appreciatiVe of the feelings
OF the taxpayers but the matter was
one. "of the times"
He said that the objections of the
taxpayers as noted by the Council
were but technical and did not
apply to the basic fairness or equal
ity of the revaluation. Citing the
administrators bill as true vail
dating act he said it still pre-
served" the rights of the taxpayers
for redress
I'VE admit the retaliation is