The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-01-04
New Of InfIotion

.(Continued from Page D Democrat today revealed the con- trasting attitude of the city's pub- .ic.
 One prominent real-estate agent declared the move to be a good one bound to benefit the city and the taxpayers"
 Would Lose fin Sale
 One prominent city official whose two houses on West Main street were doubled declared the approach to the revaluation as utterly ridic. ulouS.
 T would gladly sell these places for $3,000 less than the new valua- ton and throw in the land gratis," he stated. Show me the individual who ever entered either one of these houses for revaluation purposes. I never saw or heard of anyone"
 One local merchant declared his rent was boosted $70 last year and since the tax increase notice re- ceived by his landlord he has re- ceived another $10 increase.
 Vicious Circle Started
 "This means a rise in the costs os my goods" he declared. T will have to increase by prices to meet my overhead. That way the people are going to be paying every way"
 Tn reply to charges that the new assessment figures follow an infla- tionary trend which has forced mar ket values upward, George B. Hor- an, head of the firm employed by the city for the reappraisal, said last night that the city assessor is empowered by law to make yearly modiflcations-that Is, either to in- crease or decrease = valuations in any of the IT classes of real estate in accordance with changing mar ket values.
 MT. Horan declared that the re- valuation performed by his firm is the first thorough, scientific reas- sessment ever completed in the city.
 Not to Build Now
 
 A prominent city builder who sta- ted he planned construction of 50 houses Q year for the next few years heatedly added today he would never consider building in Waterbury.
 q" I will build in the outlying sec- tions, for certainly that is where Waterbury people will want to move to-" he said.
 Many individual property owners contacted Saio their assessments were doubled while one Waterville resident called The Democrat to re- port 8 tripnng n assessment.
 Some persons said they felt the new program to ne ill-timed in view of the current economic upset between industry and labor. Others said 1t would tlave 2 Stabilizing ef- feet on the city.
 Error Possible
 MT. JenkS declared that errors will likely be found in some com- putations and these when called to attention of the authorities will be immediately ,ectified. Recheck- ing of properties will be underta- ken also when disputes arise.
 MT. JenkS also denied that kids" had undertaken the revaluation work. These workers checked only the size of properties as to foot age and the like, he said. Appraisal engineers then did the actual es- timating.
 Local attorneys said today that their offices were being beseiged by many property owners complaining about the higher assessments In most cases the attorneys have re- ferred them to MT. Jenks or mem- berS of the Board of Tax Review explaining to them the procedure of the appeal
 Residents to Combine
 Various individuals and groups planning possible action consist of owners of single homes who feel their increases have been excessive.
 Samuel R. Lincoln, PA Gaylord Drive, Bunker Hill section whose valuation has been increased from over $4,O00 to over 5000 said that residents of his area would combine to protest.
 Michael J.Anthony, S6 Windsor street, official in the Registrars Odace, said he had received a tax increase of $2,80O and residents in his area would meet soon to dis cuss action.
 William Gaughan, 36l Edgewood avenue. met at his home last night with other East End residents as a means of formulating action.
 These were but a few who win protest, 1t has been said.
 Assessors Prepare
 Plans are now being prepared by the Assessors Office for the antici- pated rush of next Monday the first day for filing appeals. Mir. Horan's stan will be present also to deal with the various persons expected to coEn- plain.
 The local oface of MT. Horan which was operated in the First Federal Savings building during the revaluation has been disbanded and now is incorporated to some extent, with the local Assessors Onice.
 Perhaps best paraphraeing the site uation is the remark made today by one former member of the Assessog's OMce.
 Brother. Am I glad am not in there any morel"