Submitted article

Residents of the Altmar-Parish-Williamstown School District began receiving their School Tax bills in the mail recently and as was anticipated and communicated to residents, there was a noteworthy increase in taxes. However, the 2008 tax bills for residents in the district were incorrect.

Revised tax bills have been printed and residents are asked to wait until receiving their revised bill before attempting to pay their taxes. Any bills already paid before the error was discovered will be returned to residents. Revised bills will be mailed as soon as possible. Changes to most district resident’s tax bills will be negligible, but to residents in some areas, there could be a greater difference.

Tthe penalty free period for taxpayers has been extended to October 7th.

APW Superintendent Deborah Haab noted that fortunately the district was made aware of the error early in the tax period, but recognized that this problem compounds an already sensitive issue for taxpayers in the district. Haab further stated that the district has been looking at long term solutions that will address large increases in the future.

Tax payments will be accepted Monday through Friday, at the APW Bus Garage on County Route 22 between the hours of 10:00AM and 1:00 PM; and Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM; Saturdays: 9/13, 9/27, 10/11 and 10/25 between the hours of 10:00 AM-1:00 PM. For information, contact Kay Fratello, School Tax Collector, at 625-5295.

Oswego Harborfest has announced that the popular 50-50 Raffle to benefit Harborfest will return in 2009.

Farnham Family Services, an Oswego-based substance abuse treatment and prevention center, is now selling tickets for its 2009 Changing Lives Raffle.

As this column goes to press the 152nd Oswego County Fair should be in full swing at Sandy Creek. During the previous week the Heritage building was stocked full with many new and unique exhibits. We even brought down a piano for some live music!