NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER
Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 35
th
since he enacted the
emergency declarations
– that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus.
Executive Order No. 7HH
enacts the following provisions:
- Mandatory suspension of annual town meeting or referendum to adopt budget: This clarifies that going forward, the relevant elected body or bodies in each municipality must adopt a budget for 2020-2021 without an in-person vote by residents. It also validates any budget referendum or annual town meeting that has already been conducted. This order clarifies Executive Order No. 7I, Section 13, to provide uniformity and consistency, and prioritize safety while the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in large gatherings remains high.
- Authorization for common-interest communities to hold meetings remotely: This allows common interest communities, such as condominium associations and homeowners associations, to conduct business remotely and hold votes entirely by ballot if their by-laws or governing documents do not already permit it.
CHESTER SELECTMEN ADOPT TAX DEFERRAL RELIEF
JULY TAXES are due July 1st, 2020, however Governor Lamont's Executive Order 7S offers several options for municipalities to be able to offer assistance to residents during this difficult economic period.
Chester has chosen to participate by offering eligible taxpayers, businesses, nonprofits, and residents a deferment by ninety (90) days of any tax penalty dates on real property, personal property or motor vehicles, or municipal sewer use charges for such tax, rate, charge, or assessment from the time that it became due and payable. What this means is,
although the due date remains July 1, 2020, the normal grace period to pay without additional interest has been extended from one month to three months.
Therefore, no interest will accrue on taxes until October 1, 2020, after which time the normal interest rate of 18% per year will be charged.
For most taxpayers, the deferment of the payment period will
not
require a special application to the Town. The one exception is for landlords.
Both commercial and residential landlords have special requirements in order to qualify for the deferment and an application must be completed and submitted for each rented or leased property no later than July 1, 2020.
While we anticipate that most folks will pay taxes on time, this program is intended to offer assistance to those members of our community who are undergoing challenges such as unemployment, mandatory closure of a non-essential business, illness or other hardship related to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Lenders who hold escrowed tax accounts on mortgages are still required to submit those taxes on time without deferment.
Landlords:
If you are renting out any part of your property, then
you will need to fill out an application and return it to the Tax Collector no later than July 1
, 2020 in order to qualify for a deferment. Landlords requesting deferments are required to attach documentation showing that the property has or will suffer a significant revenue decline, or that the landlord has offered commensurate forbearance to the tenants or lessees. Commensurate forbearance is defined as a) a deferral of 25% of rent; b) a deferral of one month’s rent to be paid over the 90 day period, or c) forbearance substantially similar of (a) or (b) as determined by the tax collector.
Payments:
The Town Hall is currently closed to the public, although the front door into the entryway is open during working hours. Accordingly, there are three good options for payment of taxes at the moment:
1.
Mail your payment by regular first class mail.
2.
Bill pay through your bank (also mailed).
3.
Drop bill and check for payment off in the foyer of the Town Hall in the mail slot marked “Town Hall”.
Payment should be mailed to: Chester Tax Collector, PO Box 314, Chester, CT 06412
Please reference the property address on your check.
