1878-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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ASSESSOR'S REPORT. In compliance with a vote of the town, the assessors feel called upon to make some report to the town, of the matters that have come before them, and also to make a few suggestions for the consideration of those who have the taxes to pay. At the meetings held last Spring, in March and April, the appropriations made and voted to be as- sessed upon the Polls and Estates in town, amounted to $34,o69 with the addition of the State and County tax, the amount of which was $3,878.47, together with an overlay of $287.o5, making a total of $38,234.52, on a total valuation of $2,704,771. In our position as assessors we are satisfied that the amount of tax assessed upon the property of a large portion of those who have it to pay is a heavy burden, under the present condition of affairs, and we earnestly recommend to the voters, to see that the appropriations are brought within the means of all who have taxes to pay. As a general thing the majority of voters vote for the largest sum named for an appropriation and think no more about it, until the tax bill comes and then they do not see why their taxes are so high, and very soon come to the conclusion that their property is val- ued for the purpose of taxation much higher than it should be. 24 The assessors at the beginning of their labors last May, decided to reduce the valuation on the real estate three hundred thousand dollars, which reduction at that time was suposed to be sufficient, but subsequent events appear to show that a further reduction may be necessary. As there has been but a very small addition to the real estate the past year, whatever reduction is made in the valuation of course will increase the rate of tax- ation., unless the appropriations are made less than those of the current year. The town choose a board of assessors to make a val- uation of each person's property in town, as nearly pro- portionate as they are capable, and after giving it all the care possible, may not be satisfied with their work after it is completed, but after all, they are in a position to judge better what is right, than those who do not have the duty to perform. It is apparent, that if every tax -payer should make his own valuation, on his property, that it would be very likely, to be much farther from a proportionate value than a board of assessors would be likely to make it. At this time, there seems to be no rule by which assessors can make a fair cash valuation of the real estate, as the law requires them to do, as there is a wide difference of opinion among the people, as to the value of real estate. But it is well known, that whatever sums of money are voted to be raised, must be . assessed upon the property in town, and whether the valuation is too