Mark Boughton

In anticipation of the City Council looking favorably on the proposed Senior Tax Freeze ordinance, over 500 residents have signed up to participate.

The program will freeze property taxes at the 2009-10 level for qualifying seniors who are 65 years of age or older.

This is a good start to a program that will continue to grow.

This year is the 2nd year of the phase-in of the state mandated property reevaluation that was conducted in 2007. If you recall, last year we froze the phase-in, this year the phase-in resumes.

Next year we plan on freezing the phase-in again.

In the meantime, as required by state law, our new reevaluation is beginning this summer and will continue throughout the year. This year, the state requires a physical inspection of your property unlike the previous statistical reevaluation.

The tax freeze will be a big help to our seniors as they are on limited incomes and have been hit the hardest by the recession.

Our net spending in the City of Danbury is up approximately 3% –driven by increases to energy, and insurance.

We have left approximately 40 positions vacant and continue to maintain a hiring freeze on all non-essential personnel.

We will continue to keep an eye on the bottom line as we look for cost savings and efficiencies at every level.

If you want more information on the Senior Tax Freeze, call our Tax Assessor at 203-797-4556.

The Charles Ives Center located on the westside campus of Western Connecticut State University, is an open air venue for concerts, and festivals.

The Ives Center is run by the Charles Ives Authority, a strategic partnership between the City of Danbury and Westconn.

This year is shaping up to be one of the most diverse and succesful seasons ever, with national acts like Willie Nelson and the Moody Blues mixed in with local festivals and fairs.

I am particularly excited to see that Garrison Keiller and “A Prairie Home Companion” will make a stop at the Ives on their national coast to coast tour (I know, some of you never took me to be a NPR kinda guy).

This beautiful facility, located in Danbury, will serve 50,000 residents this year.

The Ives Authority is chaired by local businessman Steve Greenberg who has restored fiscal integrity to the facility and has developed a strategic vision for the park.

We have Board of Directors in place that is dedicated and passionate about the park.

Our Executive Director, Phyllis Cortese has brought a new energy and enthusiasm to the facility.

In addition, local attendees visit our restaurants and hotels while they visit Danbury to provide a much needed economic shot in the arm for our local economy.

Joins us this summer for laughs and great music at Connecticut’s best kept secret. The Ives Center. You can click here for a visit to their website for a complete list of shows and festivals.

See ya at the show.