Milford chronicle., 1953-08-21

reason that we wanted to discuss issues, not
people, Let's keep people out of this argu-
ment. The only reason that we mention this
now is that Councilman Humes refers to it
in his communication.
Now we arrive at the section of Mr.
Humes letter which should creale an immed-
late response in public reaction. Read that
section wherein he refers to the doubling
OF the assessed value of all property and
cutting the tax rate in half so that the bond
ing limit of the City of Milford can be in
creased. The Chronicle has always believed
IN low City assessment value with a CORE
spending higher tax rate. Here is the one
compelling reason for our stand on that
issue. And remember this, citizens of Mil
ford, if City Council doubles the assessment
valuation on property within the City limits,
then just as sure as day follows night the
County Boards of Assessment in both Kent
and Sussex Counties will take these figures
Tor County assessment purposes. While the
City tax rate may be lowered and City taxes
may remain stationary (and we doubt this),
you may rest assured that the Counties will
not reduce their tax rate and the County
taxes will be increased to just that extent to
which City Council changes the assessment.
We doubt very much that members of COun-
Gil have given this phase of the problem any
consideration. They had better "think it
through" before proceeding along these
lines. If they don't Milford residents within
the next few years may be confronted with
higher county tax bills.
The Chronicle has no fight with CITY
Council for improving Seabury Avenue. We
believe 1t was long overdue. But, again, we
wonder whether a sufficiently heavy fOunda-
ton has been constructed to carry the heav-
lily loaded trucks which soon may be travel
| &c Of a
that we take exception to, but rather the
method used in handling the job
We have read carefully the comment
about the competent engineering firm en-
plOyed for the job. Again we want to raise
this question. "WaS this firm fully informed
that the sewage, both sanitary and storm.
was to be emptied into ten-inch line on
Lake View Avenue? Were they told that, in
addition to the homes served by that sewer.
there was large hospital, large industrial
plant and all Of MilfOrd'S school facilities
Tor white children at present emptying into
the hne?" That, it seems to us, is what
should have been done. We notice that Mr..
Humes conveniently leaves out the men
ton OF Lake View Avenue when he refers to
the flooded cellars on "Seabury Avenue. Hall
Place, and vicinity" The vicinity must
mean Lake View Avenue. We believe that
this condition will continue until steps are
taken 10 0lVeft the overload from this latter
street.
We have been told that City Council has
ordered the inlets on Seabury Avenue cap
ped, as we recently suggested, so that the
ram water will not enter the sewers We
have also been told that "they did something
TO these inlets." When we suggested Gaping
these lnlets, we meant Gaping. If this work
has been completed, then following the storm
over the last weekend surface water still
entered the sewers and flooded cellars were
reported: If the job has been done, was it
done right? If not, when will it be started
and completed?
The Chronicle, in answer to the last par
agraph of Mr.. Humes' communication, has
never suggested that Council has held go
called Secret Meetings" Our criticism with
the city governing body is that Council
meetings are too long-drawn-out and that
TOO much irrevelent discussion is allowed
That is why we found it necessary to stop
covering these meetings months ago. No
business organization would operate under
such procedure. That is certain.