RCA Citizens Assistance Committee

Special Notice - July 2, 2003

The Human Services Coordinator for Ramsey, Gina Ratto is seeking volunteers for several new programs to assist the Citizens of Ramsey.  The program includes the following:
 
Assistance for  Seniors:
• Light cleaning of their apartments
• Celebrating Birthdays once a month.
• Assistance with shopping
• Driving to medical appointments.

Assistance for Families:
• Adopt a Family - to provide toys, meals for holidays etc.

If you or your group are interested in helping out in any of these areas, please call Gina Ratto, Human Services Coordinator for Ramsey at 201-934-6579

Report for June

There will be a senior citizen’s picnic on June 11, (rain dates are June 12 and June 13th) at the Ramsey Municipal Pool. Those needing more information can call Gina Ratto, Human Services Coordinator, at 201-934-6579.

--Angela Strollo and Joan Keeney
RCA Citizen's Assistance Committee

Report for April

Gina Ratto has been appointed to the newly created position of Human Services Coordinator whose function will be to coordinate available services to Ramsey Residents in need of assistance.  Services include, among others, "Meals on Wheels", food pantry, and “Adopt a Grandparent." If you or your group or organization is interested in volunteering in this endeavor, please contact Gina Ratto either by phone at 201-934-6579 or by e-mail at gmratto@aol.com.

The Ramsey Police Department, Crime Prevention Bureau will host an Identity Theft Seminar on April 24, 2003 at 1:00 at the Knights of Columbus 48 Mechanic Street, Ramsey. NJ. Those needing more information can call the Bureau at 201-327-2400.

--Angela Strollo and Virginia Moritz
RCA Citizen's Assistance Committee

Report for February

A special thanks to Joanne Brown for her assistance regarding tax information for seniors, disabled and vets. She is an expert in her field and the RCA Citizen's assistance committee is fortunate to have had her help on this topic.

1. Virginia Moritz and Angela Strollo have collected information on State and Federal Programs for Older Persons, which we will use as a reference regarding information on assistance for seniors. We have discussed the need to change our name to Senior Citizen Assistance Committee or perhaps leaving our name as is and perhaps forming divisions. Ie: Seniors /disabled assistance and a division for general citizen assistance because this could become a large undertaking once it gets off the ground.

2. Angela Strollo attended the February 3rd, meeting that Mayor Muti arranged for citizens regarding the revaluation. The meeting was attended by approx 100 citizens. The appraisal company president was there as well as Angela Mattiace the Tax Assessor and Nick Saros the Borough Administrator. An explanation of the revaluation process was provided and public questions were answered. In summary, it was made clear that the last valuation in Ramsey was done about 20 years ago and since then the property values have gone up by 70 to 80%. The appraisal company representative explained they would be available to meet with residents until 2/5. That was extended thru 2/8. After that the information on sales and defining neighborhoods would still be available to residents but they would be on their own and would not have the benefit of their presentation.

Facts that were of particular interest:

1. Although your property valuation has increased, it does not necessarily
   Mean that your taxes will go up. The municipal portion of the taxes will most likely remain the same, (they could not speak for the education portion which makes up most of the tax spending). Therefore the rate will be adjusted so that the collection of tax from your property will remain relatively close to what it is now. No actual promise was made though, that the tax would not go up. It may, but certainly not by 80% like your valuation.
2. If was important to note that the Assessment Company representative made it clear that if a resident in a "neighborhood" brought up a valid point that could cause a reduction in assessed value: i.e.: Power line, noise from highway etc., the adjustment would be made to the "neighborhood" that is affected by that factor, not just the resident who brought if forth to their attention. That is the law.
3. Another important note is that the informal appeal process involves meeting with the appraisal company. The formal appeal process involves the filing the appeal application to the county board of taxation, the deadline for which is April 1st of the tax year. A taxpayer has 45 days to file an appeal upon issuance of a Notification of Change of Assessment. However an extension is possible. Angela Strollo has a copy of this information if anyone is interested. This information is available on the State of New Jersey's Website at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation. One important fact to note is that the appeal can only be directed to the valuation, not the amount of tax that you pay. i.e.: you can only appeal the land, and/or improvement portion of your valuation not the fact that you are paying $10,000 in taxes. Be prepared to do research and present valid facts. You cannot go in there and say that you are poor and unhappy. The presentation must be factual.

3. Lastly, on February 13th, Mayor Muti and the town employees hosted a tax seminar for seniors. Mayor Muti invited the RCA to assist. Thank you to Jim and Joan Keeney, Virginia Moritz, Julie O'Brien and Salome and Sherman Price and Angela Strollo for lending themselves that day. The Seminar went very well and Mayor Muti along with our Municipal employees did an outstanding job. Topics discussed were: Tax Deductions available for seniors, disabled and vets, tax freeze and tax rebates. Property tax revaluations were also discussed.

--Angela Strollo and Virginia Moritz
RCA Citizen's Assistance Committee

Janary 2003 Report

The Citizens Assistance Committee has been very busy amassing information from afar as well as from local sources on the availability of resources for helping our senior citizens. We have copies of the State and County guidelines and are waiting for the Federal guidelines to arrive. Ramsey follows the County guidelines but also subsidizes the senior group in town and thereby makes it possible for groups to go to the theater, plays etc.

We also have information regarding the tax freeze process and requirements.

We have forms for tax reimbursement and property tax deduction as well as forms and instruction for those that want to appeal their property tax

We are presently discussing procedures to be used in getting our "word out" via website, newspaper article, etc. We are also discussing the necessity of changing of our name to be the Senior Citizens Assistance Committee as we don't think we can handle the whole town!  Procedural issues will be the next item of consideration.

--Angela Strollo and Virginia Moritz