Home Rehabilitation Grant Program: A New Opportunity for Income – Eligible Greenwich Residents by Town Supervisor Jim Nolan and Village Mayor Amanda Hurley

We are excited to share a significant opportunity for our residents to enhance their homes and improve our community. The Town and Village of Greenwich are applying for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to fund housing rehabilitation for income-qualified residents. This program is more than just home improvement. It is about building a stronger, more resilient community and allowing residents to “age in place” in the home and community they have loved for years.

The Town and Village are partnering with Flatley Read, a local community development consulting firm based here in Greenwich. Flatley Read will be assisting us by answering questions, reviewing applications, and helping residents navigate the process of securing grant funds. They've assisted rural communities throughout NYS with community development for nearly 25 years.

Who is Eligible?

To participate, applicants must meet several criteria:

• Property Ownership: You must own, occupy, and have title to a 1-4 unit residential property within the Town or Village limits. The property must be your primary residence.
• Tax Compliance: You must be current with all local, school, and property taxes.

• Income Qualifications: Your income must fall within specific limits based on household size. Income is based on the IRS 1040 AGI. If income was low enough that no tax return was filed, we'd use copies of SSI / SSD / VA benefit letters for the most recent fiscal year. Here are the income limits for 2024:
  • 1 Person: $50,750
  • 2 Persons: $58,000
  • 3 Persons: $65,250
  • 4 Persons: $72,500
  • 5 Persons: $78,300
  • 6 Persons: $84,100
  • 7 Persons: $89,900
  • 8 Persons: $95,700

How Does It Work?

Assistance is provided as a declining balance loan. No payments are required as long as the assisted property remains your primary residence. If you sell your home within five years, a prorated portion of the loan must be repaid to New York State. After five years, the loan converts into a grant, meaning no repayment is necessary.

The program may cover roof repairs, window replacements, accessibility improvements, water and sewer connections and HVAC system upgrades. These improvements not only enhance the safety and comfort of your home but also contribute to the overall health and sustainability of our community.

Filling out the pre-application form is a critical first step. While it does not guarantee participation, it helps establish a waiting list and is essential for the Village to secure the necessary grant funds. Applications are available at the Town and Village Offices, and online at the Town and Village websites.

Common Questions

1. Who Chooses the Contractors? Homeowners can choose from at least two bids for the required work. Funding is based on the lowest reasonable bid. If you prefer a higher bidding contractor, you'll need to cover the difference.
2. Can Local Contractors Participate? Yes! Local contractors are encouraged to join the program. They must hold a minimum of $1 million in general liability insurance plus workers' compensation. Interested contractors can contact Flatley Read at 518-577-5681 or via email at grants@flatleyread.com.
3. When Will Funding Decisions Be Made? The Town and Village will submit the CDBG application to the NYS Office of Community Renewal by July 31st. We anticipate that the awards will be announced in December. If funding is granted, all pre-applicants will be contacted by mail and email in early 2026.
4. Is There a Lien on My Property? Not exactly. Grant funds will be secured with a Property Declaration and UCC Security Agreement. This is not a mortgage and will not affect your home equity. It simply means the Town or Village must be notified if the house is sold within the five-year regulatory period.
5. What Happens If I Sell My House? If you sell your house within five years, you will need to repay a prorated amount of the grant. The repayment amount decreases by 1/60th each month. After five years, no repayment is required.

We urge all eligible residents to apply, even if you are unsure about your income qualifications. Your application helps the Town and Village secure the necessary funds to support this initiative. For more information or assistance with the pre-application, please contact:

                   Flatley Read  518-577-5681

                   Email  grants@flatleyread.com 

Want to learn more? Join us for informative workshops hosted by Flatley Reed

Tuesday, June 3rd 10:30-11:30 in the Town Office building

Wednesday, June 4th 6 to 8 pm in the Greenwich Free Library Community Room.

Pre-applications are available at the Town and Village Offices, Comfort Food Community, and online at the Town and Village websites.

Please submit pre-applications to Flatley Read by July 14, 2025.  Let's work together to improve our homes and strengthen our community.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Town of Greenwich Youth Program is seeking applicants for Youth Program Counselor positions for the 2025 season.
The program will run from Monday, July 7th through Friday August 8th. 

Below please find the application to be filled out and returned to Joanna Messina at the Greenwich Town Office, 2 Academy Street, or Amy McPhail at the Greenwich HS Office by Friday, May 23rd!

Counselors do not have to live in Greenwich in order to be hired!

2025 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM

MONDAY, JUNE 30TH - FRIDAY, AUGUST 1ST

Registration Opens Monday. April 28th and ends Friday, June 13th at 12 pm. Registration is capped at 120 campers and is a first come first served basis. 

Please read through all forms for additional information!

Effective April 9, 2025, a copy of the Map, Plan, and Report (MPR) for the Proposed Town of Greenwich Water District shall be made available for public inspection at the Town of Greenwich Clerk’s Office, Town of Greenwich Town Office, 2 Academy Street, Greenwich, New York, during the Town Clerk’s office hours of 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday-Wednesday, 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, and 8:00 am to 12:00 pm on Friday. 

There will be a public hearing on May 13, 2025 at 6:30 pm to receive comments from the public. Comments may also be submitted to the Town Clerk in writing prior to the May 13^th meeting.

                  It is not too late for the Enhanced Star program

 If you have the Basic Star on your school tax bill and you are over 65, you may qualify for the Enhanced Star program. Your 2023 income must be under $107,300 less IRA.

To apply: go to the state website at: www.tax.ny.gov. Print out form RP-425_GC. Mail it to the state on the instructions form, RP-425-GC-I by September 30, 2025. If you have already applied, you do not need to reapply unless the state sends you a letter in the mail which you must answer.

If you are on the Star Credit program (you get a check in the mail in September), you do not have to do anything. It is automatic.

Your assessor

THE WASHINGTON COUNTY DMV WILL BE AVAILABLE IN GREENWICH AT THE TOWN OFFICE LOCATED AT 2 ACADEMY STREET ON THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAYS:

JANUARY 15, 2025

MARCH 12, 2025

MAY 14, 2025·

JULY 9, 2025

SEPTEMBER 10, 2025

NOVEMBER 19, 2025

TIME: 9:30 -1:30

PLEASE CONTACT OUR MAIN OFFICE IN FORT·EDWARD AT

(518) 746-2163 FO   ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

***PLEASE NOTE SCHEDULE CHANGES DUE TO HOLIDAYS***

https://www.ny.gov/services/apply-heating-and-cooling-assistance-heap

Great News!

The county now has a place where you can electronically send in change of address forms and you can print your own tax bills instead of having to call and get them. The links are below:

Real Property Tax Service Changes in Address and/or Name

https://washingtoncountyny-services.app.transform.civicplus.com/forms/34937

Real Property Tax Service E-911 Address Application

https://washingtoncountyny-services.app.transform.civicplus.com/forms/42592

Tax Bills; can be found by searching a property, clicking the Tax info Tab, and then the “View Tax Bills” Link on the left. Exact directions balow.

https://imo.washingtoncountyny.gov/index.aspx

Public Access:

Click Here for Public Access

Click on the Click Here for Public Access Button.

When you get to search you can put in your parcel ID or your name. or your address and search. The next screen brings you to the results of your search click on the parcel Id of your property. On the left-hand side, under Residential, the 5^th box down says tax info. Hit the tax info button. The next screen brings you to the tax info. Look on the left-hand side of that screen, it says Tax Links. Under Tax Links the second button says Payment Status and the third button says View Tax Bill. Payment Status will let you know when your tax bills were paid and if they are paid or unpaid. The View Tax Bills will allow you to view and print your tax bills.

STAR Credit Direct Deposit and new Homeowner Benefit Portal now available statewide! 

We’re excited to announce that, after a successful pilot of the STAR Credit Direct Deposit program last year, the direct deposit option is now available to STAR credit recipients statewide. 

To enroll, credit recipients will log into the new Homeowner Benefit Portal, which is also how new homeowners will register for the STAR credit.

In addition, the portal provides STAR applicants and recipients with much more functionality than they previously had, such as:

• checking the status of their property tax registrations;
• switching to the STAR credit;
• viewing, editing, or closing their registrations;
• ensuring their information is accurate and complete; and
• taking action to resolve issues.

With the launch of the portal, the previous STAR registration application is no longer available. We have updated our relevant webpages to assist with this transition.

How to access the portal

Homeowners with existing Tax Department Individual Online Services accounts can now find the Homeowner Benefit Portal under Real Property Tax after they log in. Other homeowners will be prompted to create an Individual Online Services account to get started.

Homeowners without access to the Internet can continue to register for STAR by calling our representatives at 518-457-2036, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Homeowners cannot enroll in STAR Direct Deposit over the phone.

Note: An Online Services account is separate from your Online Assessment Community user ID and password. If you don’t have an Individual Online Services account, you will need to create one to access the Homeowner Benefit Portal.

You can only access registration information regarding your own properties in the portal; you will not be able to access the registrations of other homeowners.

If you receive questions from homeowners about the new portal, please direct them to call our representatives at 518-457-2036, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

We now have a notary in the Town Office! Deborah Tjarks, Town Clerk will be here to notarize your items Monday through Friday.

     We would like to welcome WIC back to the Town of Greenwich!

They will be here, at 2 Academy Street, the 3rd Tuesday of every month, from 9am to 3pm, with the exception of December, March and June and September.