News and Announcements  Tax Bills 7/29/10 - We expect our tax bills by the beginning of next week. They will be mailed out and residents will have 20 days to pay, which should put the date due around the middle of August.  We will keep you updated and let you know when we anticipate mailing the bills. Trash News We will no longer accept fence panels in the trash.  Homeowners will have to dispose of these at the landfill. We will no longer pick up trash for "move outs".  If you are moving and have a large amount of trash, you will need to contract for a dumpster and get a township permit.  We will no longer collect large amounts of trash left at the curb.  Our trash hauler is Garden State Removal, 609-261-0556.  You can check with them for dumpster rentals. Tax Revaluation Program The Township is about to begin our Property Tax Revaluation Program.  The following letter will be sent to all Westampton Township Property Owners explaining the process: June 2010   Dear Property Owner:   By order of the Burlington County Board of Taxation, the Township of Westampton must revalue all real estate for the 2011 Tax Year.  The revaluation of all property, to ensure uniform and equitable assessments, is required by State Law. In complying with this order, the Township has entered into a contract with Appraisal Systems, Inc. to conduct the revaluation program.  Revaluations do not increase the total amount of revenue to be raised by taxation. They only determine how an existing tax burden is to be distributed among taxpayers.   The first step of the revaluation process is the inspection of all properties in the Township.  Over the coming months inspectors from Appraisal Systems, Inc. will visit your property, measuring the exterior of all buildings and walking through the interior.  In order to properly assess your property, it will be necessary for a representative of Appraisal Systems, Inc. to enter your home.  An Appraisal Systems, Inc. photographer will also be visiting each property to photograph all buildings.  No photographs will be taken of the interior of the property.  The first visit from an inspector will be between the hours of 9:00am and 5:00pm.  If you are not present at the first visit, the inspector will leave a card specifying a return date to do the interior inspection.  The notice will also have a telephone number to call to reschedule this appointment if the time or date is not convenient.    All representatives are provided with photo identification authorized by the Township.  Do not allow anyone to enter your home without proper identification.  Owners of rental property should notify all tenants of the rental units that an interior walk through will be done by the firm.  Owners/occupants will be requested to sign the field form verifying that the inspector made an interior visit.  Any inquiries regarding the inspection procedure should be directed to the firm at (888) 493-8530.   In some cases, a property has a unique condition that may influence its value.  If you think that is the case with your property, please send documentation to Appraisal Systems, Inc., 266 Harristown Road, Suite 302, Glen Rock, N.J., 07452 and it will be considered.  Also, please send any documented proof relative to floodplains (for example, flood insurance documentation) or surveys showing calculated lot size (either in acres or square feet).   After the appraisals have been completed, most likely in the late Fall of 2010, you will be notified of the valuation placed on your property as well as procedures to review the assessment with a qualified representative of the firm.   Enclosed is a brochure prepared by Appraisal Systems, Inc. addressing questions generally asked by property owners concerning revaluations.  Also, please check ASI’s website (www.asinj.com) to find more information relevant to the revaluation process.  In addition, a public meeting will be held on Thursday, July 15th at 7:00pm at the Westampton Town Hall, 710 Rancocas Road at which the firm’s representatives will provide information and answer questions about the revaluation process.   Sincerely, TOWNSHIP OF WESTAMPTON                                         APPRAISAL SYSTEMS, INC.     Marie Procacci, CTA                                                                Ernest F. Del Guercio Assessor                                                                                   CEO   Chipping Update:   We are continuing to have problems with chipping.  Chipping rules are explained more thoroughly - please check under "Services" - "Brush/Chipping"   More Stringent Recycling Rules   TO:                  All Westampton Township Residents   RE:                 Mandatory Recycling   DATE:            February 2010   Please be advised that stricter penalties have recently been approved for non compliance with State recycling regulations.  Residents MUST recycle the following: •Aluminum, steel and tin cans, empty non hazardous aerosol cans. •Glass bottles and jars. •Paper, cardboard, magazines. junk mail, paperback books, shredded paper, phone books, brown grocery bags, etc (no hardback books, foil coated or food contaminated boxes, such as pizza boxes). •Plastic bottles and jars with a #1 or #2 on the bottom (no plastic pails, trays, tubs or food containers).   If your trash is found to contain any of the above items, IT WILL NOT BE COLLECTED, but will be left at the curb.  You will then be responsible for removing the recyclable items from your trash and it will not be picked up until you do so. Our trash haulers will face stiff fines and penalties if they bring these items to the landfill in their trucks.   Please remember to do your part and recycle!  Recycling saves YOU tax dollars!   Township Calendar We will not be mailing a calendar this year to residents.  Please go to "Events Calendar" on our website to find a monthly calendar with meeting dates, services and Recreation events.  Township Information Click here for a summary of Township Services, Ordinances and other Information Dog Licenses All dog licenses need to be renewed in January of each year.  There will be a $10.00 late fee for all dogs registered after January 31st. 2010 Dog Rabies Clinic will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2010 from 9 AM to 11 AM in the Public Works Garage behind the Municipal Building. Click here for a Dog License Form Senior Citizens Senior Citizen Bingo/ Lunches are held the first and third Wednesdays of each month at the Recreation Center, 50 Springside Road, at 11:00 AM.  Bring your lunch, we provide beverages.