Under guidelines included in the new state budget approved last week, new homeowners or people who move to a new property in the state will get a rebate check each fall for the portion of their school taxes covered by STAR (Application for School Tax Relief). Then they would have to claim the money on their income taxes the following year. Under the previous conditions, all homeowners in the state had the STAR exemption applied directly to their school tax bill.

According to news reports, change will have a negative impact the middle class and poor people because, even with the rebate, it is going to cost them more money up front and that’s something many property owners will have a difficult time doing. In addition, a property owner may miss out on the STAR program entirely, unless they itemize their annual income tax.

According to the state Department of Budget, the STAR program — with the upfront rebates — costs the state $3 billion each year. The new changes to the program will save the state $180 million, but the state has yet to explain where the savings will come from, although it has said they don’t plan to change the amount of aid they are giving people.

Homeowners are eligible for the STAR program if their household has an income of under $500,000.

The rebate check is expected to come in the fall, and again you have to claim that on your income tax for the following year. If you’d like to apply for the STAR Rebate, you can visit tax.ny.gov.

According to the Governor’s office, a study by the Department of Taxation and Finance last year found that thousands of individuals with multiple properties were receiving more than one STAR exemption. The new registration will ensure that homeowners only receive one STAR exemption for their primary residence.

The registration deadline is December 31, 2013. Anyone who has yet to register can still do so on the Tax Department’s website at www.tax.ny.gov.

In the coming weeks, homeowners will be receiving a letter instructing them to reapply for the Basic STAR program online or by phone. People will need to verify their salaries, Social Security numbers and primary residences. The new registration for Basic STAR will only be required once, and homeowners will not have to re-register in future years.

Since it was established, the STAR program has provided a partial exemption from school taxes for most homeowners with incomes less than $500,000 on their primary residences. The new registration process will not affect this year’s tax bills, nor will it affect Enhanced STAR. Seniors are required to register every year to receive the Enhanced STAR exemption.

Additional information can be found at tax.ny.gov.

CHARLOTTE – Three people were sent to the hospital Sunday afternoon after an accident on Route 60 in the town of Charlotte. Chautauqua County Sheriff Deputies say the driver of a northbound minivan had stopped to make a left-hand turn into a driveway and was waiting for southbound traffic to pass.

The van was rear-ended by another car, sending the van into the trailer of a passing semi. Despite wearing a seatbelt, a front-seat passenger in the van was ejected from the vehicle by the impact, though she was wearing a seat belt.

Both the driver and the passenger of the van were transported from the scene to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo by air with serious injuries. The driver of the car was transported by ambulance to WCA Hospital with non-serious injuries. The driver of the semi was uninjured.

The investigation is ongoing, and names are being withheld as a result. Charges are pending. Cassadaga, Sinclairville and Gerry fire departments responded to the scene, along with Alstar Ambulance.

CITY COUNCIL TO HOLD MONTHLY VOTING SESSION TONIGHT

JAMESTOWN – Jamestown city lawmakers will act on a pair of resolutions tonight dealing with establishing a Whistleblower policy and a Conflict of Interest policy.

The purpose of the Whistleblower policy is to allow city officials and employees an opportunity to report their questions, concerns, suggestions, or complaints with someone without it having a negative impact on their position or job. The resolution also states that it is the responsibility of all city officials and employees to report legal or ethics violations.  The conflict of Interest Policy is to help ensure public confidence. The purpose of each resolution is to bring the city into legal compliance.

The council will also act on a resolution requesting the state allow the city to increase the amount of money the city charges for the producing copies of birth and death certificates.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. on the 2nd Floor of City Hall.

TRAIN STATION COMPLETION DELAYED

JAMESTOWN – An article in the Jamestown Post-Journal this morning says residents may be waiting longer than anticipated for the grand opening of the renovated Erie-Lackawanna Train Station. During a Tuesday morning meeting of the Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation, the progress of the train station was discussed and it was determined that renovation may be close to a year behind schedule.

One reason why revitalization of the train station is behind schedule is that an attempt to make the station as authentic as possible has taken more time than expected.

Further progression of the train station will be discussed again at the next meeting of the DJDC.

STAR DEADLINE IS THURSDAY, MARCH 1

ALBANY – A reminder that the application deadline for the New York State School Tax Relief Program – also known as STAR – is March 1, 2012.

For qualifying seniors, Enhanced STAR provides an increased benefit for the primary residences of senior citizens (age 65 and older) with qualifying incomes.  The program exempts approximately the first $60,000 of the full value of their home from school taxes.

Residents interested in learning more or to see if they qualify may contact their assessor’s office for an application or download an application from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance website at www.tax.ny.gov.

BASEBALL MANAGER MEETING IS TONIGHT

JAMESTOWN – The City Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department would like to announce a meeting of all managers in the City Recreation Baseball League on Monday, February 27th at 6:00 p.m. in the offices of the Parks and Recreation Department at 145 Steele Street (back entrance – off Sprague St).  Those interested in managing a team should plan to attend.  A good knowledge of baseball and its rules is mandatory.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Recreation Office at 483-7523.