WALTHERSON IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION Twitter: Facebook: P.O. BOX 3622 BALTIMORE, MD 21214 www.waltherson.org mailbox@waltherson.

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WALTHERSON IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION MONTHLY MEETING When: March 7th, 2012 @ 7:45 PM Where: Harbel 5807 Harford Rd

Get Involved Join WIA today! With membership your vote is counted and your voice heard in the community. Receive your monthly WIA newsletter to stay on top of what is happening in your neighborhood. Please complete the form below and send with your payment to: Waltherson Improvement Association P.O. Box 3622 Baltimore, MD 21214

March 2012

Bottles Cans and Paper Every Tuesday! Trash every Thursday! Bulk Trash (Call 311 to schedule)

Waltherson Membership/Renewal Form: Name: __________________________________ Address: ________________________________ City, State: ______________________________ ZIP: ____________________________________ Phone: _________________________________

E-Mail: _________________________________ Please Specify: Renewal New

Newsletter: E-mail Paper Mailing* _____ Individual/Family/Business $10 _____ Senior $7 *Paper mailings are for our elderly and disabled members, please choose this option only if needed.

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Next Meeting:

March 2011

Our next meeting will be at 7:45 PM on March 7th at Harbel. Last month we wrote a letter to our representatives asking them to support SB130 and H365 which will strengthen our ability to pursue action against nuisance properties. We will be having a representative out from the community law center to talk to us about how we can deal with nuisance properties in our neighborhood.

Presidents Letter
Hello, We are coming into the spring. Spring clean up is coming up with the Mayor so please lets all get involved. I have been walking and driving around and to the most part our neighbor hood looks great. We are also going to have a membership form sent around and walked around also to have folks fill out the form. Thanks Ronnie Lesperance

IN AND AROUND WALTHERSON Note about Styrofoam Recycling

If you want to recycle Styrofoam but cannot make it to the sanitation yard, Waltherson member Louise Harmony has offered to drop it off. Please get in touch with Robert Walshe at a meeting or by e-mailing us at mailbox@waltherson.org if you are interested. Please be patient, we will reply to e-mail towards the end of the month. You can also leave a message for us on Facebook or tweet us @WalthersonAssoc.

New Shop Right Market Hiring

The New Shop Right at Perring Crossing (@Perring Pkwy & McClean near the Home Depot) is hiring at their Hiring Center next to the old Super Fresh Store starting Mon., 3/5/12 In June Shop Right will open a new supermarket at Perring Crossing at McLean Blvd. and Perring Pkwy. They anticipate hiring 275 people for both full and part time positions. They will open a hiring center next to the old Super Fresh Store, which will be there new location, on Monday, March 5, 2012. The center will be open on weekdays from 10 AM to 6 PM. At this point, they are only accepting paper application for positions at the hiring center. They do not have an online hiring application.

The Walthersonian
Scam Alert
There appears to be individuals going around posing as employees of Comcast Cable attempting to scam unsuspecting folks out of their money. Comcasts Corporate Security Office has been notified of this threat. A flier that has been used by some of the scammers is shown hereit should be easy to spot if seen in person due to its poor quality. If you have any information related to this scam, please contact our office so we can forward any additional information out to the public & Comcasts Security Office. If you encounter someone with this flier or something similar attempting to get you to hand over money, refuse and contact the authorities. Marylands Primary Election April 3, 2012

March 2011

Do you know what is happening on April 3rd? It is Marylands Primary Election Day. Yes, the Primary Election Day has changed this cycle and is being held on Tuesday, April 3, 2012. Early voting for 2012 Primary Election Cycle will start on March 24, 2012 and continue through March 29, 2012 from 10 AM 8 PM except on Sunday, March 26, 2012 the hours will be 12pm to 6pm. If you live in Northeast Baltimore the closest early voting location is: The League for People with Disabilities 1111 E. Coldspring Lane

Here are some important dates to remember: 1. 2. Primary Voter Registration Deadline (9 pm) Tuesday, March 13, 2012 Deadline for receipt of Absentee Ballot Applications by Mail Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Mayors Spring Cleanup

The Mayors Spring Cleanup will be held in Waltherson on the 5600 block of Benton Heights Ave on April 21st from 8 AM to 1 PM. If you cant make it please consider doing a street cleaning on your own block by cleaning your sidewalks, gutters, storm drains, yards and alleys. Remember, trash should never be swept into storm drains.

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March 2011

Public Works Reminds Citizens: Recycling Should Not Be Placed in Plastic Bags
The Baltimore City Department of Public Works, Office of Recycling, reminds residents that items set out for recycling collection should not be placed in plastic bags. When single stream recycling was initiated in 2008, recyclables could not be accepted in plastic bags. Plastic bags get wound up in collection and processing equipment, requiring maintenance that costs money and time, and creates inefficiencies for processing all the recyclables. When they wrap around the sorting equipment at the Materials Recovery Facility, the equipment must be shut down to cut the bags and remove them. Recyclables can be placed in cardboard boxes, paper bags or any container such as a laundry basket, bin or trash can as long as the containers are marked Recycling. Plastic bags can be recycled at many grocery stores and supermarkets. The Bureau of Solid Waste will initially collect recycling in plastic bags but will leave a flyer and/or a sticker informing residents to please discontinue using them. For additional recycling information, citizens can go online at www.baltimorecity.gov or call the Office of Recycling at 410-396-4511. To report a missed collection or to find out what your recycling day is, call 311.

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March 2011

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MONTEBELLO II WORK AHEAD OF SCHDULE

March 2011

Temporary disruption to portion of loop road around Lake Montebello Beginning March 12th and continuing through the first week of April, a 100 foot section of Whitman Drive, on the northwest side of Lake Montebello, will be closed for installation of a 48-inch pipe which will be used to periodically drain the Montebello II Finished-Water Reservoir into Lake Montebello. This is part of a $40 million federally-mandated project to enclose our finished drinking water reservoir at the Montebello II facility. The temporary road closure will be just northeast of the Old Stone Gate House the pyramidal structure adjacent to the lake. This will mean that continuous-loop recreation around the lake will be interrupted for this period. Normal walking, biking, jogging and disc golf activities will be permitted, just not in the work area and not as a continuous loop. The Montebello II project, on the west side of Hillen Road, began in December 2009 and was originally expected to be completed in October 2013. The project is now almost about 80 % complete and ahead of schedule! The project consists of construction of a 32 million gallon enclosed reservoir (tanks) replacing a former 20 million gallon concrete open finished-water reservoir. Public Works Director Alfred H. Foxx stated: When completed, these tanks will not only protect our drinking water from potential outside contaminants, but will also enable us to provide for future population growth.

Heinz Park Project

Work on the Heinz Park project has begun. Shortly the Recreation & Parks will be felling dead trees serving as a background to the Columbus Monument, a historic structure, and will take down overgrown trees abutting the Monument to make it more visible. Later this spring and summer, John Kovacevich will be seeking volunteers to begin invasive species and non-native understory removal on the Walther side of the park. The Herring Run Park Advisory Board recommended the project move forward last January (attached), and the city has responded. Our pathway to a dynamic valley stream park is through such partnerships. Howard Aylesworth President, Friends of Herring Run Parks Project: This is a multi-phased plan to highlight the Police and Columbus monuments in both daylight and with nighttime lighting, develop sweeping garden areas, and open up the overgrown, invasive rich forested areas to present a scenic entryway to Hamilton and Herring Run Park. There is potential for a future art garden. Permitted activity would be limited to the Lauraville Fair. This would be the first of several gateways to the park, including Belair Road and Sinclair Lane.

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Home Improvement Property Tax Credit
What are the benefits?

March 2011

This program was designed to provide an incentive to make improvements to residential properties lessen the financial burden on property owners. This property tax credit limits the value of the improvements that are eligible for the credit; for instance, the credit does not apply to the value of improvements to the dwelling that exceed $100,000. Ownership of the property is transferred; the purchaser is eligible for the remainder of the property credit. The program provides a 5-year tax credit with 100% relief from your city property tax increase the first taxable year; the credit declines by 20 percentage points thereafter. However, the credit applied only to the increased value of the dwelling due to the improvements. This credit automatically renews annually for five years as long as the property remains in compliance with the Housing Code. What do I need to know?

Improvements cannot exceed $100,000. The owner must occupy the property for more than 6 months each year. The assessed value of your property must increase due to the improvements you make. This property tax credit limits the value of the improvements that are eligible for the credit.

For more information: Baltimore City Bureau of Revenue Collections Call Center Phone: 410.396.3971 Email: baltimorecitycollection@baltimorecity.gov Website: www.baltimorecity.gov/government/agenciesdepartments/finance/taxcredits.aspx

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Homeowner's Tax Credit
What are the benefits?

March 2011

The State of Maryland has developed a program which allows credits against the homeowner's property tax bill if the property taxes exceed a fixed percentage of the person's gross income. In other words, it sets a limit on the amount of property taxes any homeowner must pay based upon his or her income. For a chart of credits, go to www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/htc.html What do I need to know?

Your combined gross household income cannot exceed $60,000. You must own or have a legal interest in the property. The dwelling on which you are seeking the tax credit must be your principal residence where you live at least six months of the year, including July 1. Your net worth, not including the value of the property on which you are seeking the credit or any qualified retirement savings or Individual Retirement Accounts, must be less than $200,000. You must apply every year by no later than September 1 on a standard application supplied by the Department of Assessments and Taxation.

For more information: State Department of Assessments & Taxation Homeowners' Tax Credit Program 301 W. Preston Street, Room 900 Baltimore, Md. 21201-2395 Phone: 410.767.4433 or 1.800.944.7403 Website: www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/htc.html

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Homestead Property Tax Credit
What are the benefits?

March 2011

To help homeowners deal with large assessment increases on their principal residence, state law has established the Homestead Property Tax Credit. The Homestead Credit limits the increase in taxable assessments each year to a fixed percentage. This is a credit calculated on any assessment increase exceeding 4% (Baltimore City's cap) from one year to the next. In other words, the homeowner pays no property tax on the market value increase which is above the limit. View a listing of homestead caps for Baltimore City. What do I need to know?

To prevent improper granting of this credit on rented or multiple properties of a single owner, a new law was enacted in 2007 that requires all homeowners to submit a one-time application to establish eligibility for the credit. The application form will be included in the assessment notice mailed to one-third of the homeowners at the end of December in 2007, 2008 and 2009. It also will be mailed to new purchasers of residential property. The dwelling must be the homeowners principal residence and the owner must have lived in it for at least six months of the year, including July 1 of the year for which the credit is applicable.

For more information: Department of Assessments and Taxation Homestead Tax Credit Division 301 West Preston Street, 8th Floor Baltimore MD 21201 Phone: 410.767.2165 or 410.396.3987 Website: www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/homestead.html or www.baltimorecity.gov/Government/AgenciesDepartments/Finance/TaxCredits.aspx

Green Tax Credits Federal Programs

Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credits Homeowners who install renewable energy systems for their homes can receive a 30% tax credit for systems placed in service before December 31, 2016. Eligible systems include solar energy, wind, microturbine, geothermal heat pumps, and residential fuel cells. For more information: 1000 Independence Ave. SW Washington DC 20585 202.586.5000 Website: energy.gov/savings/residential-renewable-energy-tax-credit

The Walthersonian
Newly Constructed Dwelling Tax Credit
What are the benefits?

March 2011

This program was designed to encourage the construction and purchase of new homes in the city. The program provides a five-year City real property tax credit (50% in the first taxable year and declining by 10 percentage points thereafter) on newly constructed or substantially rehabilitated dwellings if the property has not been previously occupied by owner or tenant since its construction or rehabilitation. In order for a substantially rehabilitated dwelling to be eligible for this credit, it must contain no more than four dwelling units and have been cited by the Citys Department of Housing and Community Development as being vacant and abandoned for more than one year or been owned by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore for one year and in need of substantial repair to comply with applicable City codes. This tax credit is nontransferable and only applies if the owner is the first party to purchase the newly constructed dwelling after its completion. What do I need to know?

The credit only applies to the first owner of a newly constructed dwelling. The credit cannot be transferred to subsequent owners. The homeowner must occupy the home as their principal residence for the entire 5 year credit period. The owner must fill out an application for this tax credit within 90 days of settlement or within 90 days of receiving the first tax assessment notice.

For more information: Baltimore City Bureau of Revenue Collections Call Center Phone: 410.396.3971 Email: baltimorecitycollection@baltimorecity.gov Website: www.baltimorecity.gov/government/agenciesdepartments/finance/taxcredits.aspx

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The Walthersonian
Renter's Tax Credit
What are the benefits?

March 2011

The Renters' Tax Credit Program is a plan that provides property tax credits for renters who meet certain requirements. The plan is designed to be similar in principle to the Homeowners' Tax Credit Program. The concept rests on the reasoning that renters indirectly pay property taxes as part of their rent and thus should have some protection, as do homeowners. If the portion of rent attributable to the assumed property taxes exceeds a fixed amount in relation to income, the renter can, under specified conditions, receive a credit of as much as $750. What do I need to know?

If you are age 60 or over or 100% disabled, or if you are under the age of 60 who has at least one dependent under the age of 18 living with you AND you did not receive federal or state housing subsidies or reside in public housing, you may be eligible for this program. If you are a renter under the age of 60 who, during 2010, had at least one dependent under the age of 18 living with you AND you did not receive federal or state housing subsidies or reside in public housing AND the combined income of all residents of your dwelling is below the following guidelines, you are encouraged to apply. If you are a renter under the age of 60 who, during 2010, had at least one dependent under the age of 18 living with you AND you did not receive federal or state housing subsidies or reside in public housing AND the combined income of all residents of your dwelling is below the following guidelines, you are encouraged to apply. The rented dwelling may be an apartment in an individual house or any type of apartment building, duplex, co-op, condominium, house trailer, or mobile home pad. The dwelling must be the principal residence in Maryland and the renter must live there at least six months of the year. The applicant must have a bona fide leasehold interest in the property and be legally responsible for the rent. Income charts and tax limit charts can be found online at www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/rtc.html to help you determine eligibility. You must apply every year by no later than September 1 on a standard application supplied by the Department of Assessments and Taxation.

For more information: State Department of Assessments & Taxation Renters' Tax Credit Program 301 W. Preston Street, Room 900 Baltimore, Maryland 21201-2395 Phone: 410.767.4433 or 1.800.944.7403 Website: www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/rtc.html

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Please visit our sponsors:

March 2011

Proud Member of:

WIA Volunteers
Officers:
President Ron Lesperance 1 Vice President Helene Quinn
st nd

2 Vice President Frank Williams

Secretary Everly Brown

Treasurer Francis Beane

Parliamentarian Vacant

Sergent at Arms Tavon Braxton

At-Large Member Paul McCartney

Standing Committees and Representatives:

CRP Rep. Garden Sign & Projects Ron Derr Membership NECOP Chairman Robert Walshe

Main: Sue Kessel Alt: Rob Walshe

Pat Parks

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