Neighborhood Assistance Act Applications being Accepted for Tax Credits
Westport Director of Human Services Elaine Daignault has announced that the Town is currently accepting applications for the 2022 Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) Tax Credit Program sponsored by the CT Dept. of Revenue Services (DRS). The NAA program is designed to provide funding for municipal and tax-exempt organizations by providing a corporation business tax credit for businesses that make cash contributions to these entities.
The NAA program allows businesses to claim a State tax credit for cash contributions made to qualifying community programs conducted by tax exempt or municipal agencies. The types of community programs that qualify for the NAA tax credit program include but are not necessarily limited to: energy conservation; employment and training; childcare services; programs serving low income persons; open space acquisition; crime prevention programs and affordable housing development. The minimum contribution on which a tax credit may be granted is $250 and the maximum contribution that any nonprofit or municipal entity can receive under this program is $150,000. There are no Town funds involved in this program.
Each municipal agency or tax-exempt organization that wishes to participate in the NAA Program must complete the program proposal application available on the CT DRS website. This form must be submitted to the municipality for approval by its governing body. All locally approved programs must be submitted to the DRS no later than July 1.
For further information about the Neighborhood Assistance Act Program, please go to the DRS website at http://www.ct.gov/DRS. (Search for 2022 Neighborhood Assistance Act program application). Agencies wishing to participate should submit applications to the attention of Elaine Daignault, Director, Westport Department of Human Services, 110 Myrtle Ave., Westport, CT 06880 by Friday, May 20, 2022. The list of participating agencies will be submitted to the Representative Town Meeting for approval at its meeting on Tuesday, June 7, 2022.
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 42; State Positivity Rate 5.27%, Hospitalizations Down
The State Department of Public Health reported on Friday 42 more cases in Westport over the past day. The State’s daily test positivity rate was up to 5.27% while hospitalizations were down 11 patients, with 117 patients currently hospitalized for COVID-19 throughout the State.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 4,151 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 36 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 5.27% [up from 4.88%]
State Hospitalizations: 117 patients [-11]
Morning Weather Report
Today
Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce small hail. Partly sunny, with a high near 55. South wind 6 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. West wind 3 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. West wind 8 to 15 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Northwest wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Burying Hill Beach Work To Continue Into Summer; Large Increase In Costs
Construction equipment for training wall replacement projectAnyone visiting Burying Hill Beach recently is greeted by multiple pieces of heavy equipment including a giant crane and a pile driver. Work is under way to rebuild the 400 foot timber training wall (or groin) with a purpose of preventing beach sand from going into New Creek. The current wall has deteriorated, leaving the shoreline at risk of further erosion, and must be replaced.
Westport DPW Director Pete Ratkiewich has said that while they are hoping for an early summer completion date, that is not certain as anything can happen.
The construction "will interfere with beach activity in the area of the construction site" according to Ratkiewich. The parking lot closest to the beach will be unavailable, however there is a six foot wide walkway which will allow persons unable to access the beach by climbing the hill at the first parking lot to get to the beach.
Project costs have increased substantially since the project was originally designed and permitted in 2019. The recent 2022 ARPA appropriation request of $1.3M reflected a $400k increase over the 2019 estimate - due mainly to increases in material and fuel costs. The planned cost was to be $950,000, the majority of the evident increase mainly due to the cost of marine grade pressure treated lumber required for the project doubling, bringing the total for cost of the project to $1.3 million.
Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.