Dear Chester,

Lots going on this week. Main Street Project work, Budget Hearing, working on getting PPE for First Responders and essential businesses. Meeting with merchants and other groups about state and federal assistance, reopening of business, and continuation of social distancing with mask wearing and other personal protections to keep everyone safe. The threat of illness from the pandemic is still widespread, although it is good news that the rate of hospitalizations is decreasing. We have had a few new positive tests and one additional death at Aaron Manor. The pandemic may be slowing down (or flattening), but it is definitely NOT over.

While we are trying to be patient, staying home and physical distancing, it is important to remember that what we are doing to keep each other safe is also causing much difficulty and pain to those who are unemployed, quarantining, or have been forced to close the doors of their businesses. Let's please do everything we can to keep them going - order take out, shop online when you can, etc. We will get through this, and we will recover. It may look different - but we've got this.

Be well,


Lauren
WEEK #3 CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
 COLONNA CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN 10-HOUR WORK- DAYS STARTING ON MONDAY MAY 4TH

THE HOURS WILL BE FROM 6:30 AM TO 4:30 PM.

THIS SCHEDULE IS INTENDED TO PICK UP THE CONSTRUCTION PACE WHILE CENTER BUSINESSES ARE CLOSED.

Week # 3 anticipated tasks include:

Continued installation of erosion and sedimentation control measures,

Continue Main Street pavement cutting,

Begin removal of street furniture items, removal of pavers and brick

Disassemble Chester Wall stairs and begin concrete form work for new stairs.

Upon receipt of the flowable material the voids between the Villager and River Tavern will be filled. Later in the week upon delivery of pipe and catch basins, the new storm water drainage system from its Pattaconk Brook outfall behind the old town hall to the Maple and Main intersection and along Main Street will be started. As new drainage pipe sections and basins are completed, temporary asphalt trench paving will be installed to keep the roadway safe and functional.


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.
 
The fillable pdf form application for landlords can be obtained at Municipal Tax Relief Deferral Application COVID 19 or on the Chester website under the Tax Collector tab by Monday next week, or by email or mail from the Tax Collector upon request. 
 
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.
 
Any questions, please email Madaline Meyer, TC at TaxCollector@chesterct.org

Yesterday, Governor Lamont announced criteria for initial reopening including 14-day decline of hospitalizations, adequate supply of PPE, and increased testing available that would lead to the soft opening of several business sectors, if criteria is in place on May 20.