Working for a better West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 12, 2018 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center, is joined by, from left, state Rep. Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven, mayoral Executive Assistant Louis P. Esposito Jr., and state Reps. Dorinda Borer and Michael A. DiMassa, D-West Haven, on opening day of the 2018 General Assembly legislative session Wednesday at the state Capitol in Hartford. (Laura E. Bartok/Connecticut House Democrats)

Ye Olde Barber Shoppe celebrates 50 years of haircuts

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 12, 2018 — Ye Olde Barber Shoppe owner Joseph Libero receives a citation for 50 years in business from Mayor Nancy R. Rossi on Wednesday at 356 Campbell Ave.

Joining the celebration are friends and patrons of Libero, from left, Ray Ludoviconi, Frank Dottori, Ken Ferris, Bernie Ferris, mayoral Executive Assistant Louis P. Esposito Jr., Harold Bellmore, Don Byrne, John Patry, and Scott Gardner and his son, Kevin.

Rossi recognized Libero, 72, a longtime city resident, for “the celebration of your golden anniversary and your prolific career in the haircutting business.”

Reading the citation aloud, Rossi said, “For 50 years, Ye Olde Barber Shoppe, like so many other small businesses, has been the lifeblood of our city, exemplifying the very best of West Haven.”

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Elderly, disabled homeowners offered tax relief in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 12, 2018 — 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, Feb. 15-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

Taxpayers can appeal real estate, personal property assessments

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 5, 2018 — 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.

Download a Board of Assessment Appeals Application.

Driver safety course offered in West Haven

Driver safety course offered March 21

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 5, 2018 — The West Haven Senior Center will offer an AARP Driver Safety Program from 2-6 p.m. March 21 at the Johnson Community Center, 201 Noble St.

The program is designed to help sharpen driving skills, develop strategies to adjust to age-related vision changes, develop hearing and reaction times, and learn about the effects of medication on driving performance.

Participants must complete the class to receive a certification for insurance purposes.

The fee is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers, payable to AARP.

To register, call the senior center at 203-937-3507.

Tax help offered in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 18, 2018 — 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.