Hermitage.net / Residents

PROTECTING OUR SENIOR CITIZENS SEMINAR
Monday, March 15th, 2010 - Hickory High School
9:00am - 12 noon (Free to Attend)
Click here for more information!

CITY OF HERMITAGE SPRING CLEAN-UP
BULK TRASH COLLECTION DAYS - SPRING 2010 NEW

Friday, May 7, 2010
(for residents whose regular collection days fall on Tuesday and Wednesday)

Saturday, May 8, 2010
(for residents whose regular collection days fall on Monday and Thursday)

All white goods, bulk items and larger items will be taken on these collection days. These include, but are not limited to, lawn chairs, lamps, TV’s, bicycles, carpet rolls (no more than 4 ft. in length), large and small appliances, furniture, tables, washer, dryer, stove, etc.

Air conditioners, dehumidifiers, refrigerators & freezers must have their doors disabled and Freon removed and be properly tagged by a certified technician first.

All items must be placed out at the curb the night before pickup. Items for bulk trash collection days do not require a tag for disposal.

2010 YARD WASTE COLLECTION SCHEDULE NEW

Curbside yard waste collection will begin again on Monday, April 12, 2010 and continue through December 16, 2010. (Green-lid) yard waste carts or biodegradable bags may be placed at the curb on a weekly basis on your regular collection day. There is no limit to the amount of bio-degradable bags a household can place at the curb.

Acceptable yard waste includes:

• Leaves
• Grass clippings
• Plants and flowers
• Roots
• Sawdust
• Shrubbery and pruning
• Branches, tree limbs under 4” in diameter
• Brush up to 4’ in length.

New Garbage Rates - Updated January 5, 2010

The quarterly base rate billing for residential solid waste/recycling service will be reduced by 30 cents effective with the next quarter’s (Feb, Mar, Apr, 2010) billing. The reduced base rate of $40.95/quarter will be in effect for the next 12 month billing cycle. The Fuel Cost Adjustment clause in the City’s contract with Tri-County Industries for residential services provides for an annual adjustment of the quarterly bill based on a formula that includes the price of diesel fuel. The base rate for the low income assistance program will be adjusted accordingly.

Upcoming Adult Workshops & Classes

HERMITAGE CRAFTERS CLUB
This group meets monthly to share ideas and learn new crafting techniques. During each session the members work on different crafts.

Dates: First Wednesday of each month, next meeting February 3rd
Time: 10:00 am
Cost: Membership is free (pay per session for supplies)
Location: Hermitage Municipal Building, Room 301, 800 N. Hermitage Road, Hermitage, PA

DREAMCATCHER I • Jan. 27 or Mar. 17 (choose one)
• $25.00 • Create a dreamcatcher using one 8” hoop and decorate with beads and feathers.

PEWTER CASTING • Feb. 3, Mar. 3, or Apr. 7 (choose one) • $35.00 • Create a pendant by melting pewter into a mold by the method of gravity casting. A torch is used in this process.

DREAMCATCHER II • Feb. 10 or Mar. 24 (choose one)
• $30.00 • Create a dreamcatcher using two 8” hoops and decorate with beads and feathers.

DREAMCATCHER III • Feb. 17 or Mar. 31 (choose one)
• $25.00 • Create a dreamcatcher using sticks and vine to produce your own uniquely shaped work of art.

SPA NIGHT • Feb. 24, Mar. 10, or Apr. 14 (choose one)
• $40.00 • Choose your own colors, scents and flavors to create 1 bar of soap, 1 lotion, 2 sugar/salt scrubs, and 2 lip balms.

The following information applies to the five classes above:
Times: 6:30-8:30 pm • Location: Hickory High School
Instructor: Shana Howard • Class Size: 3-10 people

IMPORTANT INFORMATION (updated February 23, 2010)

About the Homestead Act - For Hermitage Homeowners

- You must live in the house and it must be in your name

- By law, you are only eligible for one homestead credit, determined by residency.

- Residency is determined by the State in which your driver's license is issued and where you are registered to vote.

- You must notify the Hermitage Treasurer's Office if you are receiving the credit on your home in Hermitage, as well as your vacation home. We will help you correct the situation.

New Web Tool Allows Pennsylvanians to Check Status of Property Tax/Rent Rebates
www.papropertytaxrelief.com

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The program expansion increased the income limit from $15,000 to $35,000 (which excludes half of Social Security income) for homeowners and raises the maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters from $500 to $650. The income limit for renters is $15,000.

COUNTY / CITY REAL ESTATE TAX BILLS are mailed March 1, 2010.
If you are requesting a receipt, kindly return both sections of your bill with your self-addressed stamped envelope, so we may stamp your taxpayer copy paid and return the original bill to you.

County tax assessment remains @ 22.75 mills - City tax assessment remains at 5 mills for a total of 27.75 mills.

HOMESTEAD/FARMSTEAD approved parcels reflect a credit of $97.47 on 2009 new bill. The credit for 2010 will be announced in July, 2010. A homestead/farmstead is an owned and occupied parcel. If you are receiving this credit on additional properties you own, you must contact either the Hermitage Tax Office or the Mercer County Tax Office. If homestead/farmstead approved, you have the option of paying school taxes in four (4) payment installments. Remember, your first installment payment must be received by September 15th to continue the payment plan. Last day to apply is March 1st.

CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS are now being accepted for the payment of all real estate taxes in the City of Hermitage. There will be a 3% charge to your credit card account from the processing company for using this service.

• On-line payment: Go to www.officialpayments.com and follow the instructions on the website. The jurisdiction code for the Hermitage School District real estate tax is 7505
and the jurisdiction code for the County
City of Hermitage real estate tax is 7502.

• Pay by phone: Call 1-800-2PAYTAX
(1-800-272-9829). Be sure to have your tax card and all proper information
available.

PER CAPITA TAX bills will be mailed August 1. This is a head tax on every resident of the City of Hermitage over the age of 18.

BUSINESS LICENSE TAX is due by April 15. If this tax is not paid by April 15 a $25.00 penalty is assessed. The 2010 City of Hermitage Business License Tax form and instructions are available for download at the City website, www.hermitage.net.
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call our office at 724-347-4472 and we will be pleased to assist you.

2010 City of Hermitage Business License Tax Return Form & Instructions NEW

If you have any questions, feel free to call our office at 724-347-4472, and we will be pleased to assist you.

If you are interested in frontage storm sewer piping on your property, please review the following information and contact the Street Department at (724) 342-0210 for more information.