847-529-0585
The Town Sound
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
    • 2020 Issues
    • 2019 Issues
    • 2018 Issues
    • 2017 Issues
    • 2016 Issues
  • Contact
  • Other
    • Find a Copy
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

More Snow, Less Taxes

3/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
 Most people know that we are being taxed too much and that the property taxes are a major thorn! BUT, there is a way for Winthrop Harbor and Zion to get much needed revenue without raising taxes - and possibly even lowering property taxes. Read on!
   If you are a property owner in Massachusetts, you must by law remove and/or treat snow and ice on all walkways and parking lots, zoned residential or business. That means: shovel, plow and/or use salt. If you don't, you will be held liable for any injuries caused by the snow/ice on your property. Other states have similar laws.
   Illinois has no such law. In fact, the law states in the Liability For Falls On Snow And Ice (#125.00), "As a general rule, property owners have no duty to remove natural accumulations of snow, ice or melt water from their premises." That's  it. No fines or legal action except in rare cases.
   In the Illinois Snow and Ice Removal Act,  "It is declared to be the public policy of this State that owners and others residing in residential units be encouraged to clean the sidewalks abutting their residences of snow and ice." Encouraged? I never feel "encouraged" to shovel... especially when it's below zero, the wind is blowing, or the snowplow dumps snow where you just shoveled! I do it out of common courtesy, obligation, and necessity.  And it's not just sidewalks, but mailboxes too. Most people shovel theirs out... but not all.
  In cities like Boston, Worcester, and Lynn, sidewalks in front of businesses or residences MUST be shoveled and safe to walk on. If you (property owner) don't, you will be fined. In Worcester, you must remove snow and ice from sidewalks 10 hours after it stops snowing or be fined $75 per day. In Lynn, it's $50 per day. Most comply, especially after the first fine, but a certain percentage won't. And if you won't pay the fines, it's tacked on to your property taxes. 
   In a winter like the one we've been through, for the city of Lynn, that's over $1,000,000 in fines! In Winthrop Harbor or Zion, that would have been $100,000 to $500,000 in extra funds and relief! There would also be extra work for some in shoveling and plowing. But for now... hey, spring is around the corner! And with the winter we've had, that's relieving for everyone!

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Will Schultz

    Picture

    Archives

    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013

    Categories

    All
    Taxes

    RSS Feed

Click here for a monthly subscription by mail. 
You can also pick up a FREE copy anytime at Zion Oasis, Jewel-Osco, Piggly Wiggly, or PNC Bank in Zion; at The Sweet Stop in Winthrop Harbor; and at Woodman's in Kenosha. See the inside back cover of our latest issue for a complete listing of other businesses where you can find The Town Sound.
Contact us   .   Home   .   About us
Click here to unsubscribe from deliveries.