TOWN OF BINGHAMTON TOWN HALL 279 Park Avenue, Binghamton, NY 13903 Issue 75 TOWN TALK January 2015 A Message from Town Supervisor Tim Whitesell IN THIS ISSUE A Message from the Assessor’s Office E-mail: Supervisor@TownofBinghamton.com 2 Water/Sewer Billing Schedule A Message from the Tax Collector’s Office Highway / Water News 3 Winter Tips County Roads Frozen Meters Code Enforcement Fire Inspections Safety Reminders Winter Parking 4 Miscellaneous News Community Center New Court Hours Phone-A-Friend Hazardous Waste VFW Breakfast 5 A Note from the Dog Control Officer 6 A Note from Becky Community Calendar 7 I always look forward to celebrating the New Year. It’s all about fresh beginnings and who doesn’t like a new beginning? Plus, it means we’re on the down-hill side of winter as we march toward spring. I guess we can’t really complain about this winter’s weather. We’ve hardly had any snow this year, and spring is not too far away! Now THAT is something to look forward to! The Town Board and I are pleased to announce that at our January 20, 2015, Town Board meeting, Pete and Maxine Scarantino were selected to be our “2015 Town of Binghamton Citizens of the Year”. Pete and Maxine have been pillars of our community, having served as volunteers in the Town of Binghamton Volunteer Fire Company and through work at the Hawleyton United Methodist Church as well. In addition, Maxine has made blankets for the homeless, worked with Meals on Wheels and has served in a leadership capacity at 4-H while Pete has volunteered his time and skill to assist with flood recovery that the Southern Tier recently experienced. He also served on the Town’s Conservation Commission, Planning Board, and as Chairman of the Town of Binghamton’s Democratic Party. Pete enjoys golfing, and Maxine enjoys quilting. The residents of the Town of Binghamton truly appreciate all the time and energy they both have devoted to making our community a great place to live by using their gifts and talents to help others. I’d like to personally congratulate Pete and Maxine for their selfless commitment to serving our community and fellow citizens. When you see Pete and Maxine, please take the time to thank them and congratulate them on their achievement. They’ve done a great job! The new year always brings change, and we’ve got some new appointments I’d like to mention, but first, I’d like to extend my personal appreciation to Kristen Luce and Martha Nuzzela for their hard work in the Town Court. You both have been a pleasure to work with, have done a tremendous job in the Court, and I wish you the best in your future endeavors! With that said, I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome Justice Joseph Walker and Court Clerk Laurie Gregory to our team. Justice Walker has already made a slight change in the Court hours. Court will still be held on Monday evenings, but Justice Walker has decided to extend the hours. Court will now be held from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. I’d also like to welcome Jim Zeck as Tax Collector. If you read the fall edition of Town Talk, you know that we have turned a portion of the Tax Collection job over to the County. Jim is collecting your tax payments at the Town Hall but the processing of payments is now being handled through the County with a substantial savings to the Town. So far, the transition has been smooth, and Jim has been doing a great job. Welcome aboard, Jim! Well, I know this is shorter than normal, but things are relatively quiet around here right now which is a good thing. Remember, if you have any issues or topics you’d like to discuss, please feel free to contact me or any of the Town Board members. We’re here to serve you and will continue to strive to make the Town of Binghamton a “Great Place to Live.” I look forward to chatting with you again in April. ASSESSOR Page 2 A FRIENDLY REMINDER FROM THE ASSESSOR’S OFFICE We hope your new year is off to a positive start! We have two items of information at present that we hope you will find helpful. The first is that we are currently in the exemption application period for the 2015 tax year. All exemption applications MUST be received each year only between January 2nd and March 1st. If you plan to file for an exemption (STAR, low-income senior, veteran, disability, etc.), now is the time! Enhanced “STAR” for Seniors: If your income (“adjusted gross income” minus “taxable amount” of total IRA Distributions) on the 2013 IRS form 1040 (line 37 minus line 15b) falls between $31,501 and $83,300, this is the school tax exemption for which you qualify. Low Income Seniors: If your gross income for 2014 is $31,500 or below including Social Security, then you not only qualify for the Enhanced “STAR”, but you are eligible for an additional exemption that may apply to the county, town, or school district, depending on your income level. This exemption is based upon a sliding scale. If you are renewing an existing exemption, you should have received a renewal application from us by now. Don’t forget to get it back to us no later than March 1st. The second item is that our office hours change during the exemption period. Our office is now open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until noon so that someone can be here every working day to accept your applications. John McDonald & Amy Ricci Water/Sewer Billing Schedule for 2015 (Bills will be mailed close to these dates) November 1, 2014 (1st billing of a cycle); due in early December February 1, 2015 (2nd billing); due in early March May 1, 2015 (3rd billing); due in early June August 1, 2015 - (4th billing); due in early September IMPORTANT: If your bill is not paid in full by October 15, it will be sent to the Broome County Real Property Tax Office as unpaid and will be relevied to the following January’s Town & County tax bill. (The bills are due 30 days after the bills are mailed out.) A Message from the Town of Binghamton Tax Collector, James Zeck Phone: (607) 772-0357 ext. 18 YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED YOUR JANUARY 2015 TAX BILL BY NOW. IF YOU HAVE NOT, PLEASE CALL ME IMMEDIATELY. PARTIAL PAYMENTS ARE ACCEPTED. HERE ARE THE DETAILS: Partial payments must be at least 50% of the tax bill and payment made in January. The balance is due in February at 1% penalty or in March at 2% penalty plus a $1.00 fee. Only two payments can be made; the one in January and the other either in February or March. Please make all checks payable to: BC Director of O.M.B. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2015 TAX OFFICE SCHEDULE January 2 nd nd thru February 2 : Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays – 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. February: Wednesdays only – 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (1% penalty after Feb. 2nd) plus March 2nd (Monday): 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. March: Wednesdays only – 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2% penalty + $1.00 after Mar. 2nd) plus March 31st (Tues.): 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. An on-site drop box is also available in the vestibule for drop-off payments. Credit Card payments may be made on-line only at www.taxlookup.net, however there is a fee of 3% plus $0.50 and there is also a fee of $4.95 for ACH/e-check when using this service. On April 1, 2015, your unpaid taxes become delinquent and this form of payment can no longer be accepted. HIGHWAY DEPT. NEWS / WATER & SEWER NEWS Page 3 Highway Dept. / Water & Sewer Dept. Mike Donahue - Phone: (607) 669-4323 Hours: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Winter has finally arrived, so I’d like to take this opportunity to share some tips for the winter season:  Make sure your snow removal equipment is in good working order.  Always carry a flashlight, blanket, snow scraper, and jumper cables in your vehicle.  Remember to slow down and allow extra travel time! The news media will announce approaching storms and will keep you updated on closings, cancellations, and re-routings so please pay attention. Try not to go out during or immediately after a storm. The less traffic on the roads means we can clear the roads more quickly and completely. Our crews have designated routes, so you can be assured that someone will be around to clear your area. Please be patient! We cannot pick up our plows when we come to your driveway. Please hire someone to remove the snow from your driveway if you are unable to. If you are able, be sure to shovel your snow to the right. Pushing snow into the road can create a hazardous condition, so please refrain from doing so. Snow removal is an arduous and time-consuming task. Your understanding and cooperation are an important part of our snow removal plan. Thanks, and we appreciate your help! FRIENDLY REMINDER ABOUT MAINTENANCE OF COUNTY ROADS I'd like to remind all residents that the Town of Binghamton Highway Dept. IS NOT responsible for plowing, sanding, and routine maintenance of COUNTY roads in the Town of Binghamton. Only the COUNTY is responsible for COUNTY roads. The following roads are County roads: Brady Hill Road, Hawleyton Road, Murphy Road, Park Avenue, Pierce Creek Road, Powers Road, and Saddlemire Road. If you have a complaint concerning the maintenance of any County road, please contact the Broome County Highway Dept. at 778-2228. The Town is NOT Responsible For Repairing Frozen Meters and Pipes This is a friendly reminder that the Town is NOT responsible for fixing your frozen water meter or broken pipes. It is the homeowner's responsibility to maintain heat in and around the water meter and pipes to keep them from freezing. It's imperative that you make it a priority to keep your meter and pipes warm. A water break inside your home can cause considerable damage to your home and its contents, PLUS it will cost you $450 to replace one of our water meters. Feel free to call us at 669-4323 if you have any questions. CODE ENFORCEMENT NEWS Page 4 A MESSAGE FROM NICK PAPPAS, Code Enforcement Officer Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. until Noon - Monday through Friday E-mail: CodeEnforcement@TownofBinghamton.com Phone: (607) 772-0357, ext. 16 ANNUAL FIRE INSPECTIONS for all commercial and multiple family dwellings will begin again this month. Here is a list of code requirements and fees: FEES: CODE REQUIREMENTS Initial Fire Inspection - FREE a. No obstruction of exits Initial Follow-up - FREE b. Exit sign illumination Second Follow-up - $25 c. Evacuation and Fire Safety Plans All Other Visits - $50 d. Building address numbers displayed e. No extension cords used for permanent wiring The fees are incurred only when f. No open or exposed electrical wiring violations that have been charged are g. Fire extinguishers maintained not abated after the second site visit. h. Fire alarms and Life Safety Systems maintained i. Sprinkler systems maintained SAFETY REMINDERS AS YOU HEAT YOUR HOME THIS WINTER If you haven’t already done so, please make sure that your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working properly and that you’ve replaced your old batteries with new ones. A detector cannot work if the batteries don’t work! Many lives have been lost because there were either no batteries or dead batteries in their smoke detectors. I’ve run across several residents using their cooking stove and/or kerosene heater as an alternate heat source. This is extremely dangerous and can be life threatening because these units put off carbon monoxide and can cause a fire. Also, if you heat your home with firewood, coal, fuel oil or propane, you should have your chimney cleaned and checked by a professional. WINTER PARKING ORDINANCE IS NOW IN EFFECT The Town of Binghamton has a Winter Parking Ordinance that states: “No person shall park a vehicle on either side of any town or county highway within the Town of Binghamton between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. on each day from December 1 to the following April 1, inclusive. No owner or operator of a motor vehicle shall park the same unattended on any town street or highway within the Town of Binghamton following any snowfall of two inches or more until said street or highway shall have been plowed by or at the direction of the Highway Department of the Town of Binghamton. Any two-inch snowfall shall, for the purposes of this section, constitute a snow emergency. Failure by the operator of a motor vehicle to obey any of the signs erected pursuant to these provisions shall be construed as a violation and punishable upon conviction by a fine.” Please abide by this ordinance. It is very difficult for the large snowplows to navigate down narrow streets when cars are parked along the roadways. SPECIAL NOTICE TO PARK TERRACE RESIDENTS: THERE IS NO PARKING ANYTIME ON STREETS LOCATED IN BOTH UPPER AND LOWER PARK TERRACE AREAS. TICKETS WILL BE ISSUED TO VIOLATORS. COMMUNITY CENTER COORDINATOR/NEW JUSTICE/ HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DATES VFW PANCAKE BREAKFAST Page 5 Town of Binghamton Community Center John Rudy, Coordinator The Town of Binghamton Community Center is located at 1905 Coleman Road and is perfect for wedding receptions, retirement and birthday parties, holiday gatherings, and business training seminars. To reserve the Community Center for your next event, please contact John at: Town Hall: (607) 772-0357, ext. 14 Home: (607) 669-4308 As of January 1, 2015, the Town of Binghamton has a new Justice and Court Clerk. Please welcome . . . JOSEPH WALKER, Justice Laurie Gregory, Court Clerk NEW COURT HOURS Monday evenings 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Arraignments to be held Mondays @ 6:30 p.m. Cost: $300 per day rental plus $200 refundable security deposit. (607) 772-0357, ext. 19 Did you know the Town of Binghamton has a “Phone-A-Friend” Program? This program is designed for seniors who live alone and don’t have family members to check on them. This is the way the program works: You would call the Town Hall each weekday morning to let Becky know that you’re okay. If Becky doesn’t hear from you by 9 a.m., she’ll call you or your designated emergency contact person (which can be a neighbor or family member) to have him or her check on you to make sure you’re alright. If you’re interested in participating, please call Becky at the Town Hall at 772-0357, ext. 10. We have one senior who has been using the program for several years and loves it. Broome County Landfill’s Winter & Spring Hazardous Waste Collection Dates The Broome County Landfill continues to accept hazardous waste (including household and auto batteries, propane tanks, fluorescent bulbs, driveway sealers, paints, solvents, stains, cleaners, pesticides, and pool and photography chemicals) AND old electronics (such as computers, printers, stereos, TVs, copiers, fax machines, mobile phones, etc.) You can drop these off at the landfill on the following days from 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.: Wed., Feb. 4 / Sat., Feb. 14 / Wed., Mar. 4 Sat., March 14 / Sat., March 28 / Wed., Apr. 1 Sat., April 11 / Sat., April 25 The Broome County Landfill is located at 286 Knapp Rd. (near the airport). Phone: (607) 763-4450 VFW POST 1611 PANCAKE BREAKFAST ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 The Town of Binghamton VFW Post 1611 is sponsoring an “All-You-Can-Eat” Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, February 22 from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. This will be held at the Town of Binghamton Community Center, located at 1905 Coleman Road. You can purchase tickets at the door. Cost is $7 for adults / $3 for children ages 3 to 12 Children under 3 are free ANOTHER BREAKFAST WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY, MARCH 22nd. Freedom is never free. Help us honor those who paid the price by joining us at the VFW Post 1611’s Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2015. DOG CONTROL OFFICER / WATER/SEWER BILLING SCHEDULE Page 6 A MESSAGE FROM TARAH TRIPP, DOG CONTROL OFFICER - Phone: (607) 772-0357, ext. 22 Winter has arrived and freezing temperatures are upon us. Now is the time to protect your dog from the elements and cold weather. I’d like to share some tips to help keep your pooch comfortable this time of year. If you’re travelling, you should have enough dog food, fresh water, warm bedding, and any medications your dog takes on a regular basis, on-hand, to last a few days. Inclement weather often closes roads or makes them unsafe for travel. In addition, your veterinarian’s office might shut down during a storm so you’ll want to be fully stocked up with everything your dog may need. The most sensible and safe thing to do is keep your dog indoors.  Dogs who are left outside for too long can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite. Extremities, like ear tips, paws and the end of the tail, are particularly susceptible to cold injuries.  Be sure to provide your dog with ample shelter from the elements and protection against cold weather, especially if he lives outside.  Water must be available at all times! Keep in mind that if the water freezes, your dog won’t be able to drink and stay hydrated.  His sleeping space should be off the ground with a bed, warm blanket or pillow, or lined with straw as insulation. His dog house should be large enough for him to stand and turn around comfortably, but not so large that his body is unable to heat the area.  Never leave your dog alone in a car during cold weather. In the winter, a car is just like a refrigerator, trapping the cold air inside and can cause your dog to freeze to death. It’s also important to know that dogs can lose their scent during a snowstorm and become lost, so it’s smart to keep your dog on a leash at all times in snowy or icy conditions. He should always wear his ID tags. At this time of year, be sure to completely dry him after a bath and before taking him out for a walk. Dogs lose most of their body heat from their paw pads, ears, and through respiration. If your dog is comfortable in clothing, a sweater or coat with a high collar or a turtleneck that covers your dog from the head to the tail are ideal. When you’re outside with your dog, signs that he may be uncomfortable and need to go indoors include whining, shivering, anxiety, and lethargy. When your dog comes inside after being outdoors in the snow or ice, wipe off his paws, legs, and abdomen thoroughly. You may notice his paw pads bleeding from a coating of snow or ice. Booties can help protect against this condition. SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT AS WE BEGIN A NEW YEAR - Becky Smith, a.k.a. “Miss Information” As I was finishing up this edition of Town Talk, I was reminded this week of the brevity of life. I have worked for the Town of Binghamton for 30 years now, and I’ve seen many people come and go throughout my time here. It’s never easy to say good-bye no matter what the circumstances. Different ones have stood at my window to say they’re moving away -sometimes it’s to take a new job or to move closer to an aging parent. Many times I feel a bit melancholy, knowing that I will probably never see or hear from that person again, and most times I don’t. It was just last week that I was speaking with a lady at my window. She came into Town Hall often, and I knew her well. With this particular visit, she confided how she was still mourning the loss of her husband and how she felt so alone. Just three days later, a neighbor of hers came to my window and asked if I had heard that she had passed away unexpectedly at home. I couldn’t believe it. It was just three days prior when I was speaking with her. My heart became saddened knowing that I’d never see her again. So many people come into and go out of our lives, and it made me wonder if I would be a little kinder and a little more empathetic if I knew it was the last time I would see them. Would I spend just a minute longer listening intently to what they had to say? Would I tell them how much I cherished their friendship? I was also reminded last week of how life can change ever so slowly before our eyes. I spoke with a resident who was discouraged because his wife of many years has succumbed to dementia. It was easy to remember the two of them coming into the Town Hall time and time again, full of fun and laughter. She was always the “straight man”, and he was always the jokester, nailing the punch-line. Now he comes alone, when he is able, trying so hard to take care of his lovely wife on his own and feeling very alone himself. I’m not normally this serious, but all of this has made me realize that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, and we have no clue what others are going through. I hope that each of us will take the time to cherish those around us and make an effort to bring sunshine into someone’s day, even if it’s a simple cheery smile and “hello”. Town of Binghamton 279 Park Avenue Binghamton, NY 13903 Check us out on the web at www.TownofBinghamton.com The Town of Binghamton is an equal opportunity employer and provider. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA — Director Office of Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue—SW Washington, DC 20250-9410 The 14th Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 4th, 2015, at the Town of Binghamton Community Center. Details will be posted on the Town of Binghamton’s website in the spring at www.TownofBinghamton.com TOWN HALL MAIN PHONE (607) 772-0357 Telecommunication Device for the Deaf: 1-800-662-1220 or 711 Assessor, John McDonald Assessor’s Clerk, Amy Ricci Attorney for the Town, Alan Pope Bookkeeper, Sandra Reifler Bldg. Inspector/Codes, Nick Pappas Bldg. Inspector/Codes, John Rudy Community Center, John Rudy Councilwoman, Elizabeth Rounds Councilwoman, Vicky Xlander Councilwoman, Nancy Yezzi Court Clerk, Laurie Gregory Deputy Clerk & Dog Licensing, Dawn Blair Deputy Supervisor, Norm Cline Dog Control Officer, Tarah Tripp Highway Supt., Mike Donahue Information Desk, Becky Smith Plan. Bd. Chair., Bill McGowan Supervisor, Tim Whitesell Tax Collector, James Zeck Town Clerk, Judy Zurenda Town Engineer, John Martin Town Justice, Joseph Walker Water/Sewer Maint., Lee Cooper Water/Sewer Billing, Becky Smith Water/Sewer Emergencies (Nights) Youth Activities, Craig Kick Zoning Board Chair, Carl Letson Ext. 15 Ext. 13 Ext. 52 Ext. 21 Ext. 16 Ext. 14 669-4308 Ext. 56 Ext. 57 Ext. 55 Ext. 19 Ext. 23 Ext. 54 Ext. 22 669-4323 Ext. 10 Ext. 50 Ext. 11 Ext. 18 Ext. 17 Ext. 51 Ext. 20 669- 4323 Ext. 10 774-4954 Ext. 48 Ext. 49 HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE TOWN OF BINGHAMTON Every Wednesday night from January through May, Faith Bible Church offers AWANA & Teen Ministry from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Pre-K thru 12th grade. Call 723-3045 for more info. or visit their website at http://fbcbinghamton.com Tue., February 3 Wed., February 4 Sat., February 14 Mon., February 16 Tue., February 17 Thur., February 19 Sun., February 22 Thur., February 26 Tue., March 3 Wed., March 4 Sat., March 14 Tue., March 17 Tue., March 17 Sun., March 22 Wed., April 1 Fri., April 3 Sat., April 4 Tue., April 7 Sat., April 11 Tue., April 21 Tue., April 21 Town of Binghamton Work Session @ Town Hall - 5:30 p.m. Hazardous Waste Collection @ Broome County Landfill - 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Hazardous Waste Collection @ Broome County Landfill - 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Presidents’ Day - All Town offices will be closed. VFW Post 1611 monthly meeting at TOBCC* at 7 p.m. Town Board Meeting @ Town Hall - 7 p.m. (Thursday is the correct date for this meeting.) VFW Post 1611 Pancake Breakfast @ TOBCC* - 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Cost: $7 adults/$3 kids 3-12 Neighborhood Watch Meeting @ TOBCC* @ 7 p.m. Town of Binghamton Work Session @ Town Hall - 5:30 p.m. Hazardous Waste Collection @ Broome County Landfill - 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Hazardous Waste Collection @ Broome County Landfill - 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Town Board Meeting @ Town Hall - 7 p.m. VFW Post 1611 monthly meeting at TOBCC* at 7 p.m. VFW Post 1611 Pancake Breakfast @ TOBCC* - 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Cost: $7 adults/$3 kids 3-12 Hazardous Waste Collection @ Broome County Landfill - 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Good Friday - All Town offices will be closed. Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Watch the Town’s website in the spring for more information. Town of Binghamton Work Session @ Town Hall - 5:30 p.m. Hazardous Waste Collection @ Broome County Landfill - 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Town Board Meeting @ Town Hall - 7 p.m. VFW Post 1611 monthly meeting at TOBCC* at 7 p.m. *TOBCC refers to the Town of Binghamton Community Center, located at 1905 Coleman Road.