SIA Newsletter 11 28 2012 - Prop. Tax Reduction; Register w/ FEMA; SURF; Christmas Party and Town Meeting 12/8; Lost & Found; Trash Pickup; More...

To All Strathmere and Whale Beach Homeowners and Visitors,

Upper Township Tax Assessor Megan McAfee has asked us to pass on the following information:

The NJ State Division of Taxation and the Tax Assessors' Association have worked out a standard guideline that will allow assessors to make adjustments (property tax reductions) to properties affected by SuperStorm Sandy. To take advantage of this, an interior inspection must be completed by the Township.

If your property has been affected, you must contact the Assessor's office to schedule an interior inspection. Appointments need to be made as soon as possible because the Tax List deadline is January 10, 2013!

 

EMAIL sia6@comcast.net - for the worksheet that lists the percentage of tax reduction you can receive for various levels of damage. These percentages are not "automatic" but must be approved following an inspection. Note that they apply to the improvements (structures) portion of your assessment and do not include the land assessment. It is anticipated that most people will repair their damage within a year, so any reductions will trigger a re-inspection next year and the reduction will then cease.

This appears to be a very nice gesture by the taxing authorities and one that anyone who suffered damage should take advantage of.

 

Please call the Assessor's office at 609-628-2011, ext 330 to schedule an appointment or if you have questions regarding this program.

 

*****************************************************************************

 

Apply For Assistance Even If you Have Insurance!

We cannot emphasize this enough! Disaster assistance may sometimes cover damages that insurance doesn’t. That is why individuals affected by Hurricane Sandy are urged by the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to apply for assistance even if they have insurance.

Of course this is also true for those who do not have flood insurance!

 

http://www.fema.gov/news-release/apply-assistance-even-if-you-have-insurance-7
 

*****************************************************************

Speaking of flood damage, we recently spoke with a contractor working on a house in the beach block. We were familiar with the house and had looked in the window and seen that there appeared to be no water intrusion or damage. Turns out the water had come from underneath right up to floor level but not above. The floor, subfloor and insulation all had to be ripped out to avoid mold.

Please be sure to check your house soon and have a pro take a look for any damage. Do not use appliances or wiring that was under salt water!

***********************************************************************

Please remember to make your tax-deductible donation to the Strathmere United Relief Fund.

The first grants have been made but the needs in Strathmere are many and continue!

 

Make your check out to "Strathmere United Methodist Church", write "SURF" on the memo line, and send it to P.O. Box 49, Strathmere, NJ 08248.

We take care of our own! Thank you!

 

**********************************************************************************

The Strathmere Community Christmas Party, sponsored jointly by the SIA and the Strathmere Volunteer Fire Company, will be held at 6:00 pm on Saturday, December 8 at the Firehouse.

Please plan ahead to bring a dessert or any other "specialty" that would add to the dinner festivities. Thanks!

So that Santa can complete his list for the party, please let us know the name and age of any child (ten or under) who will be attending, so we can help him with that list!

Santa and his helpers need to get that information from you as soon as possible.   

Please let us know by replying to this newsletter, emailing Donna Diefenderfer at donnad921@comcast.net , calling Donna at 215-801-5876 (cell) or 609-263-3620 (home); or dropping her a note at PO Box 57, Strathmere, NJ 08248.

Thanks for your help - and we'll see you all on December 8!

**************************************************************************

That same morning, December 8 at 10 am at the Firehouse, the Citizens for Strathmere and Whale Beach will sponsor a Town Meeting with Mayor Richard Palombo

All Strathmerians are welcome to attend a facilitated discussion regarding the impact of Hurricane Sandy and the future of beach, bayfront and barrier island management in Strathmere and Whale Beach.

You are invited to listen and participate with your questions and comments. A lively conversation with Mayor Palombo is encouraged, one which we hope will remain focused on what happens from this day forward, and not upon past disagreements.

**********************************************************************

Lost & Found:

Birdhouse and owner were re-united!

FOUND:

 A white "dock box" with crabbing equipment

LOST:

A 12' 1950's era plywood over cedar frame, double ended duckboat, marsh brown color, in the process of being restored.

 A 7' x 3' x 2" table made from a tree (quite heavy)

A 10-foot Pelican, yellow sit-in kayak (we think this has been found)

A bright green sit-on-top kayak

A blue, black and white O'Brien "Ultra Screamer" Towable Tube (deflated)

 

Please respond to this newsletter if any of these are found.

We will be happy to list additional lost or found items.

*******************************************************

Township Engineer Paul Dietrich asks residents to put flood debris out before this Friday, November 30. This will be the last day that the Public Works will have a crew to pick up debris curbside.

Residents who have bulky items for pickup can put them out to be collected on Monday, December 3 as part of the regular Bulk Pickup. You should call 628-2011 ext. 352 ahead of Monday to schedule the pickup.

 

Remember that now electronics are collected for recycling. They are collected either late during the day of bulk collections or on the day following the scheduled bulk trash collections. All TV’s, computer monitors and computer accessories, VCR’s, fax machines, telephones and phone systems, CD players, electric typewriters and word processors are now designated recycling materials.

 

If you have construction debris or bulky items that need to be collected between the regular Bulk Pickup days, you must contact Paul Dietrich at 628-2011 ext. 244 to discuss the nature of the pickup.

 

Note: Perhaps a little late for this advice - but be sure to take pictures of storm-damaged possessions before you dispose of them. Insurance adjusters may want more than your word...

 

 

******************************************************************
 

Remember to follow and "like" us (click the "Thumbs Up" box ) on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Strathmere-Improvement-Association-SIA/184810134906201
 

You'll get an early look at lots of pictures and of things going on in Strathmere...

 

***************************************************************

Upcoming Events - mark your calendars:
Last Day for Flood Debris: Friday, November 30

Regular Bulk Trash Pickup: Monday, December 3

CFSWB Town Meeting for all at the Firehouse Saturday, December 8, 10 am

SVFC / SIA Community Christmas Party at the Firehouse, Saturday, December 8, 6 pm

SFEC Elections Meeting Saturday, December 15, 4 pm

Let us know of additions or corrections!

 

*****************************************************************************

Thanks very much for your continuing support of the Strathmere Improvement Association!

Linda Bateman   

Elaine Holsomback      

Donna Diefenderfer       

Dorothy Addario       

Ken Weaver