The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-01-03
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sessments.
 Picture Confused
 Factory owners and representa- tives today generally expressed agreement with the tremendous in- creases they received Downtown prop erty owners in many iEsssances were agreeable to the boosts although a few have informally filed protest.
 The picture is still confused one from the general publics attitude and reaction. As stated some are violently protestative while others accept the change as necessary and fair"
 A survey of many increases on private dwellings made by The Den- ocrati but not published because of the aspects of confusion which tend to result by spot surveys of this in- stance. shows that many increases ar emore than a third higher than the original valuation. What proved surprising to many were increases on older property in town. As an url- usual example of this is the owner of a house 100 years old who re- ported to The Democrat that his valuation had been increased from 6, 900 to $ll,0O0.
 Example Given
 AS a confusing example is that of two old houses side by side; one bringing in rent from both floors. has been assessed for 20 years at $4,- 900 and Is a two-family house, The one next door, which is the same style house, but has been used as a one-family residence, has been assessed during those years for $6,- 900. The former had been increased from 5000 to $6,000 and the owner is protesting. The next door neigh Dor is happy about the matter for the first time in 20 years.
 George B. Horan, whose firm un- dertook the revaluation today said that the increases are the result of normal revaluation upward from the valuations set during depression years when assessments were enter ed at low rate to benefit property owners.
 Tt was bound to come" MT. Koran added.
 He will assist MT. Jenks after next Monday on all appeals and will personally consult with individual property owners on their appeals outlining the procedure as to how the new valuation was arrived at. Accepted by Companies
 Arthur H. Quigley, president of the American Brass Company, said today that the company held the be- lief that their increase of $554, ,510 was in line with the city's practice and added they felt payment must be made of "our rightful share of taxes" The notice of increase has not yet been formally viewed by the management.
 Rodney Chase of the Chase Brass and Copper Company, whose con- cern received an increase of $0l5, ,720, said also that the company would likely work on the theory that they must assume their rightful obliga- tions as to tax burdens of the city. He added that the company auditors are now checking the new valuation.
 Alan C. Curtiss, vice-president of the Scovtll Manufacturing Company, which received the highest indiyid- ual increase of all, two million dol lars-said the concern assumed the overall revaluation was done on a uniform basis and therefore was equitable.
 Community Areas Protest
 Of different reaction was that of William O. Taylor, president of the East End Community Club who said that the people in that vicinity were greatly disturbed" and will likely protest. He added that a directors meeting may be called within a few days.
 James V. Jannitto. president of the newly-formed North End Com munity Club, discussed the possibil- ity of all Waterbury community clubs combining to protest the re- valuations.
 At the same time one prominent citizen, property owner and mem- ber of one of the community clubs who received a heavy increase de- clared he felt the change to be flair and long overdue"
 Edward M. Ryan, chairman of the Citizens Committee, said today his organization may seek legal aid to take the matter to court.
 Courts Await Tests Various opinions have been ex- pressed by legal satellites of the city relative to possible Superior Court or Common Pleas court action. Some contend that the Connecticut law on assessments is SO strict that a case must be clear cut before it can be given much consideration. The Con- necticut law on appeals to courts on assessments declares in effect that the cause for appeal, that is the high assessment. must be far out of pro- portion. Other attorneys declared that group appeals. rather than inc diyidual appeals made against an assessor are given Q "lenient and conslderate ear" in Connecticut courts
 Some property owners have re- celved notices although their overall valuation has been reduced. This has led to confusion on the part of some who have read ln The Demo- crat that persons nat receiving oVeg- ' aIi increases will not receive cards What uas stated here also in the