PUTNAM — Rande Chmura, tax assessor, said the town will mail new assessment notices Nov. 24.
The notices will go to all owners of properties, whether the assessment increased or decreased. The notices will show the 2013 assessment and the new 2014 assessment. There is an 800 number listed at the end of the notice for owners to call to schedule a hearing with representatives of the revaluation firm.
Do not use the current mill rate to estimate new taxes, since the mill rate will most likely change in 2015. All the new assessments will be on the Vision Web site. For those without a computer a listing of all owners and new assessments will be available in the Assessor’s Office during regular business hours.
There are no exemptions on the notices; these will be applied after the final values are set after hearings, by the Assessor’s office. This includes any new farm, forest or open space exemptions. They will be applied later.
The deadline for filing for farm, forest or open space is extended during a revaluation year until Dec. 31.
Normally they have to file no later than Nov. 1.
Family event
set for Dec. 3
PUTNAM — Prospective students are invited to a free Family Event in Putnam with Milton Hershey (Penn.) School® (MHS) admissions counselors at 6 p.m. Dec. 3 at J. D. Cooper’s Restaurant. No registration is required to attend a Family Event. *For more information, call 1-800-322-3248 and visit: www.mhskids.org.
Families will have the opportunity to learn more about the school and how it could create a successful future for their children with a top-notch education—including small class sizes, one-on-one attention, extra study hours, hands-on learning, access to the latest technology and the chance to earn a scholarship towards continuing education.
MHS is a cost-free, private, coeducational school in Hershey, Penn., for children from families of lower income in grades pre-k through 12th-grade. The school provides a positive, structured home life year-round giving children the skills necessary to be successful in all aspects of life.
Following a free meal and presentation, attendees—especially children—will have a chance to ask questions and talk with MHS staff during this informal get-together.
*To be considered for enrollment, a child must come from a family of lower income, be from the ages of 4-15 years old, and be free of serious emotional and behavioral problems that disrupt life in the classroom or home. Enrollment is not guaranteed and prospective students must demonstrate the capability to benefit from the programs the school offers. Children are accepted year-round through a rolling admissions process.
Then
This was the E. Putnam firehouse site when ground was broken in September, 2013. Putnam Town Crier file photos.
& Now
And this is the firehouse today.
caption:
Top: Left to right: U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney, Putnam Mayor Anthony Falzarano, E. Putnam Fire District President Douglas Cutler Jr. and E. Putnam Fire Chief Abe Walker cut the ribbon of the new E. Putnam firehouse. Right: Fire helmet. Below: The view from the balcony into a spacious modern firehouse. Linda Lemmon photos.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
E. PUTNAM --- The tale of perseverance, of dogged pursuit, culminated in the official opening of the East Putnam Fire District Firehouse Nov. 15.
Douglas Cutler Jr. told the crowd that when he became district president in 2001 he urged the district to think ahead and consider the future needs of the district --- a new firehouse that would take the district through the next 100 years. The fire department did outgrow the small building it had used for 50 years. A little over a year ago the district broke ground on the 13,000-square-foot building on 21 acres purchased on Rt. 44. The total cost of the project is about $4.4 million.
Cutler thanked U.S. Congressman Joseph Courtney for helping the district secure a $3.3 million low-interest loan from the USDA, Rural Development. "Courtney came through for us in a very big way," Cutler said.
Courtney extended kudos himself to the district members. Unforeseen hurdles kept popping up and the members persevered "and get where we are today." Courtney acknowledged that the USDA Rural Development is a lifeblood "but it's not for the faint of heart." He also presented the district with a U.S. Flag flown over the U.S. Capitol.
Scott Belleville, who headed the project, said it was a "huge project bigger than I ever thought it'd be." He added, "To see it up brings a tear to the eye."
Fire Chief Abe Walker said without the membership "this would have been 10 times harder."
Putnam Mayor Anthony Falzarano acknowledged the district experienced some "tough going" but commended all for getting it done.
Tours of the modern facility followed the ribbon cutting.