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Portland, Connecticut New to this site?
Located
in Central Connecticut, Portland was once
famous for its brownstone quarries, shipbuilding industry and quality
tobacco farming.
Headlines
(See From the First Selectwoman for information from Susan Bransfield.) |
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IRS Stimulus Payment – It’s Not Too Late!
Do you qualify for an Economic Stimulus Payment? Have you filed a 2007 federal tax return? Then your rebate will automatically go out by mail or direct deposit starting early May. If you normally don’t have to file taxes because your income is low, this year you need to file Form 1040A to get a Stimulus Payment. This includes people who receive at least $3,000 in earnings and/or benefits from Social Security, VA disability or a Retired Railroad Worker’s pension.
By law, the IRS cannot issue any economic stimulus payment checks or Direct Deposits after Dec. 31, 2008. Individuals must file the simple tax form with enough time left in the calendar year for the IRS to process it and issue the economic stimulus payment before the end of the year. If you didn’t make the April 15 deadline, you automatically have until October 15 to file a tax return solely to receive an economic stimulus payment. You do not have to file a form to be granted an extension. However, you must file by October 15 so the IRS can process your return and issue a stimulus payment before the end of the year.
Ask for tax forms at the Information Desk at the Library.
Wildlife
in Town
The Town has recently received a number of questions concerning coyotes,
foxes, and other Wildlife animals in our neighborhoods.
The State Department of Environmental Protection is a wonderful
resource for information concerning wildlife. The following information
is from the DEP (www.ct.gov/dep):
Dealing with Distressed Wildlife
Be Cautious! Never touch any wild animal if it can be avoided. Always
keep children and pets away. If you must touch an animal, always wear
gloves. This will protect both you and the animal. In many cases, an animal
that bites or scratches a person will need to be killed to test it for
rabies.
If an animal appears to be sick, it may not be safe to handle it! If an animal is stumbling, staggering, walking in circles, dragging a limb or the hind end, or if it is acting strangely (approaching people or pets in an aggressive manner) never attempt to handle the animal. Call your local Animal Control Officer, Police Department or DEP Dispatch (860-424-3333) immediately to get assistance.
Wild animals can be dangerous! Their behavior is often unpredictable. Do not attempt to rescue a potentially dangerous animal without assistance from someone with experience.
Assess the situation
before picking up an animal!
Wild animals often leave their young unattended for several hours or more.
Be aware that animals thought to be orphans may not need your assistance.
Do not intervene unless you are certain that the animal is orphaned, it
is obviously injured or it is in immediate danger. If you suspect that
an animal is orphaned, watch from a distance for a minimum of several
hours and attempt to reunite the orphan with its mother.
Remember that it is
illegal for any person, other than a state appointed rehabilitator, to
care for wildlife. If you think an animal needs help, make sure to contact
a wildlife rehabilitator. Get more information by calling DEP Dispatch
(860-424-3333).
Is Your Home Properly Identified?
You may not notice or think about it often, but on a regular basis emergency personnel respond to addresses both residential and business that are not properly or readily indentified by clear, easy to read numbers. Even though the technology of global positioning systems have made things easier for responders in recent history, if an address is not properly identified it is confusing and costly in response time to save lives.
The Town of Portland's Code of Ordinances states: "It shall be the duty of the owners of all residential, commercial, industrial and other buildings within the Town of Portland to identify such buildings or parts thereof as herein provided." The ordinance outlines the assignment of numbers to be performed by the Town and reserves the right to authorize changing any building's number. It is the property owner's responsibility to comply with this ordinance at their expense and to maintain these numbers in good repair throughout the life of the building.
The identification
number shall be located on the exterior front of the building and/or on
a post, sign, mailbox or other device located between the building and
the street fronting the building. The numerals shall be at least 3-1/2
inches in height and shall be of a contrasting color of the background
material to which they are affixed and of substantially permanent materials.
Spelled out numbers are not acceptable. They shall be affixed as to not
be easily effaced or removed and shall be located between 4 feet and 10
feet in height above the ground directly below them. When a building is
more than 100 feet from the fronting street or obstructed from view, the
driveway entrance must also be identified with the given street number.
Entrances of common driveways must have all associated numbers at the
street entrance and at each intersecting driveway in addition to the house
mounted number.
Last Updated:
July 9, 2008
