Elderly, disabled offered tax relief
Assessor Ann Marie Gradoia is accepting applications for tax relief programs for elderly and disabled homeowners.
Residents can apply for the programs, based on their 2017 incomes, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, through May 15, in the assessor’s office on the first floor of City Hall, 355 Main St.
The state elderly and disabled homeowners program offers tax reduction benefits depending on income and marital status.
To qualify, the applicant or spouse must be 65 or older by Dec. 31, 2017, or permanently and totally disabled as defined by Social Security.
Income limits, including Social Security, are $43,000 for a married couple and $35,300 for a single person.
To qualify for the West Haven senior tax freeze program, the applicant must be 70 years old by the end of the previous calendar year and have lived in the city for 20 consecutive years.
Income limits, excluding Social Security, are $50,000 for a married couple and $35,000 for a single person. Those eligible for the program must reapply each year.
The state tax freeze program is only for residents already enrolled with incomes not exceeding $6,000, excluding Social Security.
Applicants who receive railroad retirement benefits must include the taxable portion.
The assessor’s office is also accepting applications until Oct. 1 for additional veterans exemptions. The maximum income is $43,000 for a married applicant and $35,300 for a single applicant.
Taxpayers can appeal property assessments
The Board of Assessment Appeals will hear appeals of real estate and personal property assessments on the 2017 grand list by appointment during March in the assessor’s office at City Hall.
The board will also hear appeals of motor vehicle assessments on the 2016 supplemental motor vehicle grand list that received a tax bill due Jan. 1.
Any property owner who wants to appeal an assessment must submit a written application to the board. The assessor’s office must receive the completed form to have it stamped in by 5 p.m. Feb. 20.
Applications are available in the assessor’s office on the first floor of City Hall, 355 Main St., or by calling the office at (203) 937-3515. To download an application, go to the assessor’s office page at www.cityofwesthaven.com and click on Forms at the top of the left column.
Licensed contractors sought
The Community Development Administration is seeking licensed contractors who are interested in becoming vendors for CDA-approved home improvement projects in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The city-based projects include rehabilitating multifamily and single-family homes and installing handicapped-accessible ramps and lifts, CDA Manager Mark J. Bisaccia said.
Eligible contractors must have a certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a lead-based paint certification. They must also have liability and workers’ compensation insurances, Bisaccia said.
Licensed contractors can request a CDA vendor form through administrative assistant Rosa Richardson at (203) 937-3550 or at [email protected].
Tax help offered in West Haven
The West Haven Senior Center is offering a free tax preparation service to help low- to middle-income taxpayers.
The AARP Tax-Aide program is available by appointment from 9-11 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, starting Feb. 7, at the Johnson Community Center, 201 Noble St.
Special attention is given to help those 50 and older fill out federal tax forms.
The service, which includes tax counseling, is offered by trained volunteer tax preparers from AARP, in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service.
For an appointment, call the senior center at (203) 937-3507.
Bulk trash pickup, e-waste drop-off schedule announced
The 2018 bulk trash pickup schedule is March 5-9, June 4-8, Aug. 6-10 and Oct. 8-12.
Residents are reminded that bulk pickup is on their scheduled curbside collection days in the second calendar week of the four designated months. They are also reminded to separate metals and recyclables from regular trash and to put out trash no more than 24 hours before pickup.
Violations carry a $100 fine per daily offense.
Bulk items include couches, chairs, mattresses, tables, carpeting, padding, fencing and small amounts of bundled lumber, which may not exceed 6 feet in length.
The amount of bulk trash per collection is limited to 6 cubic yards, which is equal to a pile of trash 6 feet long, 6 feet wide and 4.5 feet high.
Along with tires, the city also picks up such white goods as refrigerators, washing machines and stoves on residents’ weekly collection days.
To prevent a potential fine, property owners should familiarize themselves with the city’s trash guidelines, which are posted on the Department of Public Works page at www.cityofwesthaven.com.
To report a complaint, call the department at 203-937-3585. Complaints are kept confidential.
Also, the 2018 e-waste drop-off days are March 10, June 9, Aug. 11 and Oct. 13.
Residents can drop off electronic recyclables — typically anything that contains a circuit board or needs a battery — from 8 a.m.-noon at the highway maintenance garage, 1 Collis St.
Anything that has refrigerant, including air conditioners and dehumidifiers, is not accepted. Those items are considered white goods, and residents are asked to put them out for pickup on their curbside collection days.
The city is partnering with Take 2 Inc. of Waterbury, a recycler and collector of universal e-waste devices, to collect residential electronic items on a quarterly basis.
The collection is free for residents who have such items as TVs, hand-held video games, computers, monitors, copiers, scanners, microwaves, toaster ovens and other small appliances.
City issues snow rules for parking
To help expedite snow removal, the Department of Public Works is reminding residents and businesses to observe parking regulations during and after snowstorms.
Under normal snow conditions, once snow begins to fall, a parking ban is in effect on the even-numbered side of most roads, unless one is posted with a “No Parking” sign on the odd side.
The ban is in effect for 36 hours after a snowstorm. Residents are urged to park in driveways or designated private lots.
During an official snow emergency declared by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, a parking ban will run from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on both sides of Campbell and Savin avenues, Morgan Lane, Elm Street, Meloy Road, Second Avenue from Elm to Beach streets, and Main Street from Savin to Washington avenues.
Police will tag and tow vehicles violating the parking ordinance at the owner’s expense.
Per city ordinance, residents and businesses are responsible for removing snow from sidewalks on and bordering their properties. Also, per ordinance, plowing or blowing snow into city streets is prohibited, and violators are subject to fines.
Residents and businesses with mailboxes damaged by snow thrown from a plow are the responsibility of the property owner. The city will only repair mailboxes damaged by the striking of a plow blade if there is visible evidence, such as paint or tire tracks.
Snow removal around mailboxes is the property owner’s responsibility.
For information, call the Public Works Department at (203) 937-3585.
Toy Drive underway
West Haven Professional Firefighters Local 1198, in conjunction with West Haven High School, will be holding its annual Toy Drive this year. Anyone wishing to donate new (unwrapped) toys may do so at any city firehouse or various drop box locations throughout the city. There is an increased need of specific donations for infants and 8 years old and up.
Any West Haven resident who may be in need of toys this holiday season for children from birth to 11 years old may call West Haven High School at (203) 933-9347. Calls will be accepted until Dec. 16 on a first come, first served basis.
WHEAT open third Saturday
The West Haven Emergency Assistance Taskforce Food Pantry (674 Washington Ave.) is now open the third Saturday of each month from 9-noon. Volunteers also accept donations during this time.
To get food requests must be from West Haven residents. They must bring a valid photo ID, two pieces of current mail, and proof of household income. Call (203) 931-9877 or email [email protected] with questions.