A gentle reminder: First-quarter 2014 dues must be paid by Wednesday, January 1.
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| Former Trojan Hardware buildings. |
By JULIE JASON
If you get a call from the Internal Revenue Service telling you that you owe taxes that must be paid right away, it may be a scam.
The caller may provide you with his name and IRS badge number, as well as the last four digits of your Social Security number.
You may even see the caller ID on your phone show an IRS 800 number. Software called "spoofing" does that trick. The software disguises the caller's real phone number and replaces it with another. It can be purchased complete with background noise to make the call sound as if it is coming from a call center.
If on such a call you don't agree to make a payment immediately by prepaid debit card or wire transfer, you may be threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver's license.
Don't be surprised if the next call you see on your caller ID identifies the incoming call as being from your local police department.
You may even get an e-mail from "the IRS" supporting the bogus calls. If you do, do not open any attachments or click on any links in the message. Instead, forward the e-mail to phishingirs.gov.
A legitimate IRS contact will be by mail, not by email or by phone, said IRS spokeswoman Peggy Riley. Neither does the IRS send emails, texts or other electronic communications through social media. Plus, the IRS would not ask for confidential information, such as PINs or passwords to access credit-card, bank or other financial accounts, said Riley.
What if you do owe taxes or think you might? Don't engage the caller. Instead, hang up and call the IRS yourself at 800-829-1040. You can get the information you need to address any underpayment directly from IRS officials.
Call the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at (800) 366-4484 to report the scam. You also can go to its website.
You also may get a letter in the mail or a fax from "the IRS" that is phony. If you get a letter that you suspect is not legitimate, contact the IRS by calling 800-829-4000.
You can see a sample of a faxed "IRS" letter that requested a business to submit banking information. The fax was an official-looking IRS letter that said: "As of January 2011, Internal Revenue Service requires all businesses to submit full bank account details for all operating bank accounts maintained by them. Our records show that your business had not provided us with this information."
To see the fax, go here.
Other tax scams include fictitious claims for refunds, such as promises of refunds for "Low Income — No Documents Tax Returns," and even offers of free money from the IRS. For a list, see IRS Urges Taxpayers to Avoid Becoming Victims of Tax Scams, and Don't Fall Prey to the 2011 Dirty Dozen Tax Scams.
You also can watch a video on the subject offered in English and Spanish, which you can link by going here.
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| View from what was to become No. 7 Hyland Circle. |
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| Model home (now No. 26) is at left. |
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| Looking north(ish) toward the first curve on Hyland Circle. |
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| View across the empty inner-circle of the Terrace. |
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| The old Stanton Brewery, looking northeast. |
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| "Lost in the Moment," oil on canvas by Kit Hevron Mahoney. |
TROY -- The much-anticipated expansion of the Brown's Brewing Company complex is about to debut.
A gentle reminder: Fourth-quarter dues must be paid by Tuesday, October 1.
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| PHOTO BY BILL DOWD |
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• Ginette Chambers, Farrell Rd., asked if this was to be seasonal, what would be done to address hygiene and the business’ marketability. She had noted similar facilities opening and rather quickly closing up. An additional concern of hers was traffic on Farrell Rd. and the impact it will have on developments now being constructed nearby.
• Bill Bradley, Farrell Rd., is concerned about stray paintballs and if the Town would benefit at all from such a business. Another concern was since it is mostly a cash business, how would the sales tax revenues the Town should receive be tracked. He also believes this is an improper use of this property as zoned, and would have a negative impact on surrounding properties including his own. Mr. Bradley presented an audio recording of a similar facility to highlight the potential noise produced not from the guns alone but from the yelling of the participants during the games.
• Kathy Betzinger, Valley View Dr., had asked young people, nieces and nephews for their views on this type of venue. While these people enjoyed this type of activity they noted the facilities were usually well away from residences where the sound would not be heard. The same people also noted that the parks they had used did not usually last more than a year. If this business fails what other plan would the town have for the property? Another point was how are the participants to be kept from encroaching on adjacent property. Will the entire area be fenced?
• Marcia Christiano, Highpointe, was concerned about the traffic impacting the Highpoint entrance which is directly across from Farrell Rd. and also the impact on the residential nature of the area.
• Thomas Powers, Farrell Rd., has had the experience of having his vehicle hit with paintballs. He feels this could easily happen throughout the neighborhood with people carrying their own guns. He also was concerned about the traffic.
• Lou Bonelli, Liberty Rd., also addressed the traffic situation and asked if this were an appropriate use for the parcel. Operating time should be more specific.
• Mark Madden, Liberty Rd., agreed with the others about the traffic and potential vandalism. He feels the number of participants on any given day have been misrepresented to the low side. He also feels the activity and noise would have an impact on the diverse wildlife in the area.
• Orlinda Carafello, Farrell Rd., added to the concerns of yelling and profanity, which may occur during matches, litter and possible vandalism. She also questioned if this were a seasonal operation.
• Vinnie Castiglione, Liberty Rd., agreed with others concerning traffic, litter, noise and vandalism.
Liz Cordella, Valley View Dr., asked for clarification on operating days and times.
• Mary Birch, Highpoint Dr., agreed with the traffic concerns and felt it was the beginning of the end for the peace and beauty of the surrounding neighborhood.
A. A gravel entrance driveway, approximately 26 feet wide, will be provided off Farrell Road leading to a parking area on the project site located approximately 300 feet from the intersection of Oakwood Avenue and Farrell. The access road area is included in the Planned Development District.
B. The parking area for this project will accommodate approximately 60 vehicles, with adequate room on the project site to expand the parking area if necessary.
C. A walkway will connect the parking area to the location of the paint ball fields on the project site.
D. The Planned Development District includes three different paint ball fields, including a “speed ball” field of approximately 140 feet by 190 feet; a “large scenario” field of approximately 150 feet by 650 feet consisting of numerous structures and obstacles; and a “small scenario” field of approximately 70 feet by 460 feet, also containing structures and obstacles.
E. The structures and obstacles proposed for the “large scenario” and “small scenario” fields will be movable, less than 10 feet in height, and not permanently affixed. In addition, hollow obstacles shall be filled with sand or water to eliminate reverberation when struck by paintballs.
F. The area of the paint ball fields will be double posted, both at the perimeter of the playing area as well as approximately 200 feet outside the perimeter of the playing area, resulting in a 200 foot buffer between anyone on the outside of the project site from the players utilizing the paint ball fields. Out-of-bounds flagging will be utilized to clearly define areas to be used. The areas closest to residentially-zoned properties shall have temporary construction fencing placed at the perimeter of the fields. In addition, a 12’ high net will be placed around the perimeter of the “speed ball” field.
G. The paint ball facility will be operated on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. On Saturday, the hours of operation shall be limited to 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On Sunday and holidays, the hours of operation shall be limited to 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, registration activity shall occur during the first half-hour, and games shall not commence earlier than one half-hour after registration. Games must end no later than 4:30 p.m. or dusk, whichever occurs earlier. The site will be thoroughly cleaned of litter and debris each operating day. All participants must leave the facility by 5:00 p.m. each operating day. The facility will be closed and gate locked no later than 5:00 p.m. each operating day. In addition, the facility will be available Monday – Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., exclusively for police and law enforcement training. No firearms are permitted or allowed in connection with the police and law enforcement training.
H. The paint ball facility will be staffed by an individual who will register players, an individual who will calibrate the paint ball markers, 2-5 referees, a safety instructor, and an overall supervisor.
I. No permanent bathroom facilities are proposed, and port-a-johns will be used.
J. No permanent structures are proposed for the project, and food will be provided through an independent mobile concession truck.
K. No enclosed structures, other than storage sheds for equipment, shall be constructed on the site.
L. No horns, sirens, or whistles shall be used to control game timing.
M. Traffic exiting the site shall be directed to Oakwood Avenue. All literature and directions to the site shall utilize Oakwood Avenue as the best travel path to follow.
N. Emergency access to all playing fields shall be maintained at all times.
Fourth-quarter dues must be paid within the next week, with a deadline of Monday, October 1.
