Town of Westport Virtual Meeting Schedule: 12/29/20
There are no meetings scheduled for today.
Town of Westport Virtual Meeting Schedule: 12/28/20
No Town meetings are scheduled for today.
Westport Property Transfers: 12/07/20 - 12/11/20
Westport property transfers as reported by the Westport Town Clerk’s Office:
Total Conveyance Tax: $62,601.25
Total Sales: $25,040,499
Highest Transfer Price: 8 Bradley Street: $3,778,000
Lowest Transfer Price: 90 Main Street, Unit 4: $300,000
Transfers:
8 Bradley Street: $3,778,00
12 Sunnyside Lane: $2,675,000
36 Green Acre Lane: $2,570,000
4 Rodgers Way: $2,350,000
7 Merritt Lane: $1,999,999
8 Mayflower Parkway: $1,800,000
2 Chapel Hill Road: $1,600,000
16 Broad Street: $1,350,000
49 Patrick Road: $1,180,000
4 Spicer Court: $955,000
27 Jennie Lane: $885,000
25 Rocky Ridge Road: $835,000
17 Crawford Road: $780,000
4 Half Mile Common: $735,000
179 Compo Road South: $687,500
6 Lyndale Park: $560,000
90 Main Street, Unit 4: $300,000
First Selectman Jim Marpe’s Holiday Message
“2020 has obviously been a unique and challenging year in Westport, the nation, and the world. We remember those among us who have been negatively impacted by this horrible pandemic, and we send them our healing thoughts and prayers.
In their honor, I respectfully request that you enjoy Christmas and New Year’s with only those in your immediate household, foregoing travel and large gatherings. Instead, I encourage you to stay safe and stay at home. By doing so, I’m confident that by this time next year, we’ll again be able to gather together in person to recall, rejoice and reaffirm our holiday traditions.
This Christmas season, I wish you the calm and peace that is at the heart of good will and generous spirits.
And this year in particular, I hope that you have the chance to slow down and thoughtfully reflect on the true meaning of this time in our collective human experience. To quietly celebrate, and to rest. Perhaps take the opportunity to initiate new traditions in your family. And to reach out – virtually or physical distanced – to a neighbor, relative or friend who may be alone, in need, or less fortunate. Remember, small acts of kindness can have a huge impact.
However you choose to celebrate and worship this year, on behalf of the Town of Westport, I wish you a happy and joyful holiday season with your immediate family. Please continue to be healthy and safe. The proactive behaviors that you take today will insure that our families, friends and neighbors will be here to happily celebrate what I know will be a renewed and uplifting 2021.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!”
Tax Relief Program for Westport Taxpayers Impacted by COVID-19
According to a press release:
“First Selectman Jim Marpe announced today that the Town of Westport will offer the tax relief deferment program for eligible taxpayers for the January installment period. The authority to offer such program is granted by Governor Lamont’s Executive Order 9R, issued on December 16, 2020, which suspends and modifies tax deadlines and collection efforts for tax bills that become due and payable on January 1, 2021. All municipalities in the State of Connecticut must offer a tax relief program.
In April, the Board of Finance recommended and the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) approved the administration’s proposed tax relief deferment program. Executive Order 9R allows the municipality to reinstitute that program for the January tax period without any further approvals.
Taxpayers must demonstrate their eligibility to participate in the tax deferment program. Taxpayers who were eligible for the tax deferment program in April or July must apply again to be eligible for the January payment deferral.
Mr. Marpe said, “The tax relief deferment program was offered to Westporters for both the April and the July tax payments. I am pleased to say that this program was a success, helping almost 200 applicants during each tax period. Offering the program again this January will help provide relief to eligible residential and commercial taxpayers who are struggling with the challenges brought on by COVID-19.”
The tax deferment program is essentially an extended grace period on tax payments to assist Westport taxpayers suffering financial hardship due to COVID-19. Eligible taxpayers can utilize the tax deferment program for the January 2021 tax bills on real estate, personal property, motor vehicles and sewer assessments so that payments made any time within three months from each bill’s due date will not incur interest charges or penalties.
Applications for the deferment program must account for one of the following hardships:
Household has suffered a reduction in income of at least 20 percent due to COVID-19.
Business or nonprofit revenue from October 2020 to January 2021 is expected to be reduced by at least 30 percent compared to the same time last year.
For landlords: Income is significantly reduced.
Landlords can also provide proof of commensurate forbearance programs offered to their own tenants to be eligible. For example:
Deferment of 25 percent of rent for three months to tenants;
A deferment of rent to be paid over three months; or
Other similar forbearance as determined by the Tax Collector.
Applicants must submit documentation. The application form and additional information can be found at www.westportct.gov/TaxRelief .
Applicants will have until January 28, 2021 to submit their requests without incurring a penalty on their unpaid January 1, 2021 taxes.
The proposed deferment program extends the normal grace period for tax payments from one month to three months. Under the deferment program, taxpayers have until April 1, 2021 to make their January l, 2021 installment payment. If payment is not received by April 1, 2021 interest will accrue retroactively starting January 1, 2021.
Westport taxpayers are advised to use the deferment program only if delaying the tax payment will provide relief. The tax deferment program does not forgive tax payments. If January’s taxes are not paid by the April 1, 2021 deadline, late penalties will apply retroactively at 18% annually or 1.5% per month.
Under the Governor’s executive orders, banks and mortgage services that hold tax payments in escrow must continue to pay the Town when the taxes are due, even if the homeowner is participating in a moratorium on mortgage payments. Irrespective of whether a homeowner meets the hardship requirements, banks and servicers would still be obligated to pay the taxes.
The Tax Deferment Program will be a collaborative effort carried out by the Offices of the Assessor and the Tax Collector. It will also include consultation with the Human Services and the Finance Departments. A dedicated call line, 203-341-1147, and email, TaxRelief@westportCT.gov, have been set up to answer basic questions. If you have further questions, in person appointments are available by contacting the call line.”
Westport Property Transfers: 11/30/20 - 12/04/20
Westport property transfers as reported by the Westport Town Clerk’s Office:
Total Conveyance Tax: $69,106.25
Total Sales: $27,642,500
Highest Transfer Price: 78 Bulkley Avenue North: $3,900,000
Lowest Transfer Price: 42 Whitney Glen Drive: $400,000
Transfers:
78 Bulkley Avenue North: $3,900,000
30 Beachside Avenue: $3,700,000
19 Center Street: $2,730,000
52 Cross Highway: $2,504,000
122 Imperial Avenue: $2,475,000
24 Vista Terrace: $2,025,000
29 Treadwell Avenue: $1,665,000
60 Red Coat Road: $1,550,000
19 Marion Road: $1,380,000
7 Baldwin Place: $1,355,000
1400 Post Road East, Unit 31 (Regents Park): $845,000
1A Meadowbrook Lane: $837,500
230 Bayberry Lane: $825,000
6 Oakwood Lane: $530,000
1 Northside Lane: $461,000
27 Hale Street: $460,000
42 Whitney Glen: $400,000