As the new fiscal year begins, property and motor vehicle taxes come due, homeowners balance landscaping projects and yard work with recreational activities like grilling and enjoying their residential swimming pools.

At the same time, town officials have provided some timely tips, advice, and warnings to help residents stay safe, and to possibly ease the process for taxpayers as they write checks for property and motor vehicle taxes that are due by August 3.

Local property owners should have received their residential and auto tax bills by now, according to Tax Collector Carol Mahoney. If they did not, they should contact her office immediately - definitely before July 31 to avoid any late penalties and interest on the unpaid portion of those bills.

Even if the delivery issue is related to US Postal service, the taxpayer is responsible for payments due before the end of July she said.

Specifically relating to auto tax bills, anyone who sold or disposed of a vehicle after October 1, 2014 — and who did not transfer their license plate to a new vehicle — may receive a partial tax credit, according to Assessor Penny Mudgett.

Simply bring proof in the form of a bill of sale, junk receipt, trade-in certificate, or a date of loss statement from an insurance company along with a Connecticut DMV plate receipt to the assessor’s office to be considered for credit on the latest tax bill.

Those who feel their automobiles were assessed too high, considering condition or excess mileage, can apply to the Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA) for consideration based on condition only. Anyone questioning an assessment based on excess mileage must report to the assessor directly for a possible credit.

Applications for a BAA hearing are available now through August 20.

Grill Safety

Fire Marshal and Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue Chief William Halstead has seen a number of grill fires that can get out of hand quickly leading to injury and significant property damage. He said occasional grill users should thoroughly check their units before every use.

“You’d be surprised how much waste can build up, and there can be nesting material inside a grill that can burn,” he said. Infrequently used grills often develop loose propane tanks and worn or deteriorating hoses, which can also be very hazardous because they contribute to propane leaks.

“Twenty pounds of leaking propane can be very dangerous,” Chief Halstead said. “So if there’s a loose tank that can pull at the hose, or dry rot on the hose or at connections, avoid use of that grill until it can be fixed.”

If a homeowner or user detects a propane leak from their grill, Chief Halstead advises to turn off the tank at the spigot.

“And if a fire develops, do not attempt to put it out unless you feel you can control it,” he said. To that end, the fire official advises that all homeowners should keep a well-maintained 10-pound dry chemical extinguisher in the home and handy whenever there is outdoor cooking going on.

He also advises anyone doing live fire either in a campfire or fire pit to take the necessary precautions to ensure it does not spread beyond a confined area. 

Yard Waste Disposal

Director of Planning George Benson reminds residents who are doing routine yard maintenance and landscaping projects to dispose of yard waste properly. The local transfer station can take most yard and landscape waste, including branches under three inches thick, as long as the individual appearing has proof of residency in Newtown.

Mr Benson said at this time of year he is always concerned about the dumping of yard waste and even grass clippings into wetlands and water bodies. He said members of the Pootatuck Watershed Association have been working diligently to clean up the local watercourse, and have reported seeing quantities of what appeared to be yard materials dumped into or along the river.

“And dumping materials of any kind down storm drains affects the water quality of our aquifer,” Mr Benson said.

“If you’re doing a camp fire, be sure to build a circle of rocks or other noncombustible materials around it to contain it,” he said.

Chief Halstead also issued a friendly reminder that except for sparklers and similar fireworks sold legally in Connecticut, all other fireworks are illegal.

Fence That Pool

Building Inspector John Poeltl says despite many warnings to local homeowners, he is still seeing many safety violations related to backyard swimming pools. He said both the frequency of violations and safety guidelines have not changed since he spoke to The Bee last summer.

“Any container capable of holding water in excess of 24 inches must be protected by a barrier, no matter how small, especially to protect young children who might wander or be tempted to lean or get into the water,” the building official said. “There are numerous specific guidelines related to the proper construction and installation of pool barriers — we invite residents to call or visit our office for that information.”

Among other situations Newtown building inspectors continue to see are gates that do not self-close and lock from the inside; absence of floating alarms on in-ground and above ground pools; no alarms between the residence and contiguous pool enclosures; and above ground pools with tilt-up and exposed ladders.

“A lot of people don’t realize any and every door that goes from a residence to the pool area must have an alarm, and above ground pools utilizing a ladder must also have a barrier. Tilt-up ladders are no longer allowed unless they also have protective barriers. New ladder models are now available with attached protective gates.”

This report was updated July 6 to correct the deadline for property tax payments, which is August 3.