1878-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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25 high or too low, if it is a proportionate valuation of all the property, no tax -payer has any reason to complain, as the amount that each one has to pay, is governed very much by his own vote. The assessors are found fault with by some, because they do not find all the property that ought to be taxed, and by others, because they have found more than they wish to be taxed for, and it seems to be the policy of a large share of the tax -payers not to make any statement of their property subject to taxation, as the law requires them to do, but leave the whole matter with the asses- sors, expecting them to do what is just right. But it is a very unpleasant duty, for any board of assessors, to be obliged to decide, in the absence of any information from the tax -payer, the amount of tax such person should pay. The town of Arlington, as is well known, have cer- tain rights for collecting and securing a supply of pure water in the easterly part of the town. The assessors, and others, believe they are holding more property, under the right of Eminent Domain, than the Legisla- ture intended to give them, and in the year 1876, assessed a tax upon all that portion taken under the act of 1873, by the town of Arlington. Application was made to the assessors, by the proper officers of the town of Arlington, for an abatement of the whole tax which was refused. An appeal to the County Commissioners was heard with the same result. Subsequently, they have paid the taxes assessed, for the years 1876 and 1877. We think it for the interest 26 of both towns that this subject should be brought be- fore the proper tribunal, in the most direct and least expensive manner and settled for all future time. We recommend an appropriation for the pay of as- sessors, books, stationery, etc., the sum of $425. JOSEPH F. SIMONDS, Assessors WALTER WELLINGTON, of HORACE B. DAVIS. Lexington.