VILLAGE OF HOMER
SUSPENSION OF INTEREST AND PENALTIES ON PROPERTY TAXES
MARCH 24, 2020
Purpose: The Village of Homer levied taxes for the fiscal year March 1, 2020- February 28, 2021. Property
taxes are due by March 31, 2020. Interest at 5% is charged if payment is not made on the property taxes in
full by April 1, with an additional 1% in interest added each subsequent month through October 31, 2020.
WHEREAS, according to section 1182 of New York State/Consolidated Law/ Tax permits cancellation or reduction of payment of interest, penalties, or other charges, if the governing body of any tax district shall determine that it is for the best interest of its tax district.
WHEREAS, all of New York State’s employees in industries considered nonessential are told to shelter in place Governor Cuomo’s “New York State on Pause,” and therefore, many businesses are closed or employees are sheltering at home without a salary or income,
WHEREAS, the Village of Homer has decided for the best interest of its tax district, to waive penalties and interest on property taxes due to the effects of Governor Cuomo’s “New York State on Pause,” until June 30, 2020.
BE it effective from the period April 1, 2020 thru June 30, 2020, no interest or penalties will be charged on property tax payments received during this period. Interest and penalties on property taxes will begin on payments received July 1, 2020, as originally noted on the tax bills.
VILLAGE OF HOMER
SUSPENSION OF INTEREST AND PENALTIES ON WATER/ SEWER BILLS
MARCH 24, 2020
Purpose: The Village of Homer bills users for water and sewer usage. Payments are due within 30 days of billing.
Interest and penalties are charged if the bills are not paid within the 30 days.
WHEREAS, the Village of Homer Board of Trustees has the authority to bill for water and sewer usage, as well as waive interest and penalties.
WHEREAS, all of New York State’s employees in industries considered nonessential are told to shelter in place under Governor Cuomo’s “New York State on Pause,” and therefore, many businesses are closed and/or employees are sheltering at home without a salary or income,
BE it effective from the period April 1, 2020 thru June 30, 2020, no interest or penalties will be charged on water and sewer bills received during this period. Interest and penalties on water and sewer bills will begin on payments received July 1, 2020.
As the Covid-19 crisis unfolds, officers of the Homer Police Department will continue to provide police services. However, our officer’s heath and safety is an upmost priority. Until further notice please note:
-When calling the police department or the 911 center for police assistance or service and need an officer to respond, please inform the dispatcher if they are experiencing a fever, cough or any other Covid-19 symptoms.
-Officers will be exercising universal precautions so please don’t be offended.
-People are requested not to come to the police department for general complaints or questions but to call 911 for an emergency or 607-749-2022 for non-emergency.
-The police department records (the police department building) will be closed to the public until further notice.
-Records can still be obtained by calling 607-749-2028, Monday – Friday, 8am-4pm or by emailing a request to homerpolicerecords@homeryny.org
-Records will either be emailed or mailed depending at the recipients request.
-Mail requests for handicap permits to the police department along with a copy of the requested person’s driver’s license. The permit will be mailed back to the requester.
-Medication drop-off / drug take back kiosks will be by appointment only. Please call 607-749-2022 for an appointment.
– If you receive a parking ticket please use the mail in option as described on the ticket.
– We will temporarily be suspending finger printing.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Robert H. Pitman
Chief of Police
Village of Homer Police Department
5 Steps to Prepare for COVID-19:
Infectious disease experts say most cases of COVID-19 are mild to moderate, like the common cold. But it can be more severe in older adults and people with chronic health conditions.
There are simple steps you can take to help protect yourself and your family.
#1 Make a plan
o Create plans for school, work and home.
o Make a list of people and organizations who can help if you become sick. Consider: family, friends, neighbors, carpool drivers, health care providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, health care services, and other resources like mental health services.
o Join a neighborhood website or social media page to stay connected to neighbors, information, and resources.
o Plan ways to care for family members at risk for serious complications, such as older people and people with chronic health conditions.
#2 Prepare as you would for a winter storm
o There is no need to buy large quantities of supplies. But it’s a good idea to pick up a few extra items each time you go to the market or pharmacy. That way, you’re prepared and can avoid crowds.
o Pick up some extra foods like canned goods, dry pasta, and peanut butter.
o Have soap, hand sanitizer, tissues, fever reducers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen on hand.
# 3 Get ready for possible changes in daily schedules
At School:
o Make plans to care for your children if schools are closed temporarily. Just like you would for snow days.
o Make plans for alternate after-school care in case they are closed temporarily.
At work:
o Ask to work from home or take leave if you or someone in your household gets sick, or if your child’s school is temporarily closed.
#4 Stay informed:
o Stay connected on your state and local health department’s social media pages and websites for timely and accurate COVID-19 information.
o Be aware of false information circulating on the internet. Accurate and up-to-date information is available from the State Health Department at www.health.ny.gov/coronavirus or its hotline at 1-888-364-3065, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website and social media platforms at www.cdc.gov/COVID19
o If you live alone and become sick, you may need to ask for help. If you have a chronic disease and live alone, ask your friends, family, and health care providers to check on you.
o If you decide to attend a public event, practice good health habits.
o Try to keep at least 6 feet of distance between you and others at the event.
o Avoid close contact, such as shaking hands, hugging, and kissing.
o Wash hands often or use a hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
o Avoid surfaces that are touched often, such as doorknobs and handrails.
#5 Prevent the spread of colds, flu and COVID-19
Everyone should:
· Stay home when you are sick.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before you eat.
· Cover your cough and sneezes with a tissue and discard in a closed container.
· Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects.
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Keep a distance of at least 6 feet to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
For people who are sick:
· Stay home.
· If you have a fever, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicines, such as acetaminophen.
· Keep sick household members away from others. If you have a separate room that is best.
· Use soap and water, a bleach and-water solution, or EPA-approved household products. You can make your own cleanser with a mixture of 1 cup of liquid unscented chlorine bleach in 5 gallons of water.
· Avoid sharing personal items.
· Anyone at high risk for complications should talk to their health care provider for more information.
Robert H. Pitman
Chief of Police
Village of Homer Police Department
Village Updates
Bernard's Custom Logo webstore is now open and selling these great shirts!
www.agpestores.com/bernards/groupproducts.php?prodgroup_id=29810&prodgroupbypass=true&fbclid=IwAR...
cortlandstandard.net/2020/03/25/homer-village-enacts-spending-measures/
Homer village enacts spending measures - Cortland Standard
cortlandstandard.net
The Homer Village Board will have a public hearing at 5 p.m. Monday to waive interest and penalties on property taxes. It is also enacting measures to save money, while helping village employees and r...Some great information and explanation of why social distancing and hand-washing is so critical right now.
Eye-opening.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5-dI74zxPg&feature=youtu.be
March 18, 2020 Mayor Hal McCabe
Village of Homer Residents-
By now, you’ve heard from every single retailer you’ve ever even considered purchasing from to learn their plans for keeping you safe during the COVID-19 Pandemic. I am sure you are a little feedbacked out, but I wanted to update you on the operations here in the Village of Homer.
We are focused on making sure that all essential functions of the Village of Homer continue uninterrupted during this crisis, expecting that it may take until autumn for things to get back to normal. Right now, NY’s projected peak is roughly May 1st, at which point we can expect new cases to begin to decline.
We are all going through this together. There is no playbook for riding out a global pandemic, but we don’t need one, as long as we keep our focus on one thing and one thing only: Keeping people safe and healthy.
We are committed to being here for you. If you have problems or needs that are not being addressed, I ask that you call the Village of Homer office at 749-3322 and tell us your situation and what you need, and we will try and find a solution including assigning a volunteer to help. Residents who are unable to get out to shop for food, need a critical repair made to their home, need an essential errand run, or need your children’s school lunches delivered, please call, and we will do what we can to help.
Rule Number One, as per the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (a great book to read while you are stuck at home, by the way:)
POLICE AND FIRE:
Our police and fire departments will continue to function normally until further notice.
Police:
-When calling the police department or the 911 center for police assistance or service and need an officer to respond, please inform the dispatcher if they are experiencing a fever, cough, or any other Covid-19 symptoms.
-Officers will be exercising universal precautions, so please don’t be offended.
-People are requested not to come to the police department for general complaints or questions but to call 911 for an emergency or 607-749-2022 for non-emergency.
-The police department records (the police department building) will be closed to the public until further notice.
-Records can still be obtained by calling 607-749-2028, Monday – Friday, 8 am-4 pm or by emailing a request to homerpolicerecords@homerny.org
-Records will either be emailed or mailed depending at the recipient’s request.
-Mail requests for handicap permits to the police department along with a copy of the requested person’s driver’s license. The permit will be mailed back to the requester.
-Medication drop-off/drug take-back kiosks will be by appointment only. Please call 607-749-2022 for an appointment.
- If you receive a parking ticket, please use the mail-in option as described on the ticket.
- We will temporarily be suspending fingerprinting.
- If the issue is not something that requires an officer visit, we may call residents back instead.
TOWN COURTS:
Homer and Cortlandville Town Courts are closed until further notice and if you had a court date already scheduled someone will be contacting you.
WATER AND SEWER:
In order to prioritize water and sewer services without interruption, we have suspended all meter installs as well as non-critical repairs at this time. We are rotating staff to be sure we are never without a licensed water systems operator so that clean and safe drinking water can and should come off your list of concerns.
Please DO NOT CALL the Water Department or members of the Water Department with concerns, call our main office – 749-3322.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS:
Right now, we are rotating through staff at the DPW offices to respond quickly in an emergency situation but we have suspended all non-essential work: yard waste collection, sidewalk/lawn repair, etc. will all resume when we possible. Please DO NOT CALL the DPW or members of the DPW with concerns, call our main office – 749-3322.
CODE ENFORCEMENT:
Code Enforcement Office taking calls as usual on cell (607-745-0004) anytime for questions and/or applications regarding building permits. Site inspections and visits as needed while also accepting texted photos for review. All permit documents, blueprints and the like can be emailed to: ceo@homerny.org . Need payments mailed to the Village Office at 31 N Main St once the plans are approved.
GARBAGE AND RECYCLING:
Trash removal and recycling will continue on the normal schedule until further notice.
GLENWOOD CEMETERY:
Will be conducting business as usual when we open. As most of our work is outside and each working our own areas, we have limited contact with each other.
VILLAGE HISTORIAN:
The Historian's Office will be closed until further notice. The Historian is self-quarantined and will be working out of his home.
VILLAGE OF HOMER RECREATION:
Recreation programs are suspended until further notice. Look to our Facebook page for ideas for parents and kids as well as people looking for virtual fitness workouts, etc.
OFFICE OPERATIONS:
The Village of Homer offices will remain closed to the public until further notice. Taxpayers can call 607-749-3322 during the hours 8:30-4:30 and someone will be available to answer calls. If everyone is on the line, please leave a message and the office employees will get back to you. You can also email: tdigennaro@homerny.org or clerk@homerny.orgfor any questions or requests and the Village Offices will respond to the request as soon as possible.
Payment of taxes be made by my mail to: Village of Homer, Village Office, 31 North Main Street, Homer, NY 13077. Date paid is considered the date the mailing is postmarked. Checks are made payable to: The Village of Homer. Payments can also be made online by going to the Village of Homer web page at homerny.org. Then use the pull-down menu on the left and choose Village government and then Village Treasurer. On the bottom right hand of the screen will be a section called “Pay Your Village Taxes,” click on the “Click Here” button. Next click continue after 2020. Fill in your specific information and when the listing of property/properties come up, choose view on your property. At the bottom of the screen of the tax bills is a notation “Make a payment online”- click on the “Make a Payment Online”. Choose pay with credit card or e-check. The processor does charge a fee which is noted at this time. Input your payment information and click submit. Please note, credit card or bank information is stored or kept once the transaction is processed.
Payment of water bills can be sent by mail to: Village of Homer, Village Office, 31 North Main Street, Homer, NY 13077. Date paid is considered the date the mailing is postmarked. Checks are made payable to: Newton Water Works. Payments can be made online by going to the Village of Homer web page at homerny.org. Then use the pull-down menu on the left and choose Village Services. Next choose public works and the Newton Water Works. In the center of the page it will say “Pay your water and sewer bill online.” Click on the “Click here” button. Enter your account number and click search. Follow the instructions to either pay by credit card or echeck. Please note, no information will be saved once the payment is submitted. If you do not have your account number please call the Village office at 607-749-3322 or email tdigennaro@homerny.org, kcase@homerny.org, or dkotas@homerny.org.
For cemetery, planning, zoning issues, farmers market, community gardens, or games of chance please either call the office at 607-749-3322 or email Kristen Case atkcase@homerny.org.
For questions regarding accounts payable, please call the Village Offices at 607-749-3322 or email dkotas@homerny.org.
For questions regarding records requests, please email Dan Egnor at clerk@homerny.org.
SPECIAL NEEDS:
If you or someone you know needs help with something: running errands, access to food, emergency home repairs, etc., please contact us at 749-3322 and we will take down your information and a Village employee, trustee, volunteer or maybe it will even be me, will get in touch with you to make arrangements to help. Priorities are given to older and at-risk residents.
We are all in this together, this is our community, this is our home. We are here for you.
Mayor Hal McCabe
Village of Homer Board of Trustees
