Announcements

Online WMSC Membership Form
If you wish to become a member of the West Madison Senior Coalition, you may download a PDF membership form by clicking here.

Time to Think About Brat Fest
This event will be held at Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center over Memorial Day weekend, May 28 - 31st. This is a very important Fund Raiser for us. The money received for the time that you volunteer pays for continuation of many programs and services that we provide.

It is important to sign up early for the task that you most enjoy. there are a variety of volunteer jobs and we will do our best to assign you the task that you prefer. For task descriptions, call Lori at 238-7368.

Spring Salad Luncheon and Art Show
Donations of salads and desserts are needed for our 2010 Spring Salad Luncheon and Art Show. Call Ingrid at 238-0196. See our Events page for details.

Art Friends Are Looking For New Members
Art Friends is a group of painters (of all kinds of paint) who get together every Friday afternoon at the West Madison Senior Center to paint. This is an informal group that provide critique for each other's work as well as encouragement to fellow painters. Contact Ingrid at 238-0196 for more information.

Home Chore Volunteers Needed
Home Chore Volunteers help seniors stay in their homes by assisting them with tasks that are difficult to manage. Chores vary, but may include general cleaning or organizing. Volunteers are paired with a senior based on need, interest, and availability. In helping a senior stay in their home, you may develop a lasting friendship. If interested call Diane at 238-7368

Keep Sidewalks Clear
Madison City Ordinance 10.28 states that sidewalks are to be cleared of all snow and ice no later than 12:00 PM of the day following each snowfall. (i.e. Snow starts to fall on Monday morning. The snow stops at 11:59 PM on Monday night. The sidewalk would have to cleared by noon on Tuesday. If the same snow continued until Tuesday at midnight, the sidewalk would have to be cleared by noon on Wednesday.)

When public walks are found in violation, the property owner is issued a citation with an initial fine of $109. All subsequent violations at the property during the current snow season will result in a $172 fine. After a City inspector photographs a sidewalk in violation and cites the property, the owner has until 8:00 AM the following morning to remove the hazard. Failure to do so will cause the City crews to do the work with costs assessed to the property. There are no warnings given for this ordinance violation. To make a complaint, call the Building Inspection Unit between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, 266-4551. If you have questions about snow removal ordinances, policies, or procedures, call a property maintenance inspector at 267-4997.

The inspectors are looking for reasonably safe conditions. In cases where ice has formed on the public sidewalk and cannot be removed, the property owner must use sand or salt to effectively eliminate dangerous conditions. The City provides a mixture of sand and salt for public use at Glenway Golf Course, Brittingham Park Parking Lot, Spring Harbor Parking Lot, Elver Park, and Garner Park.

Raking and Snow Removal Resources
As we are beginning our Fall Clean-up it is also time to think about snow removal. It’s difficult to think about snow removal this time of year but it will eventually appear. This year be prepared! It is wise to contact a snow removal service before the snow arrives. Prices will vary. Most companies will come out and give you a free fee estimate. Listed here are a few contact resources.

Action Professional Window & Gutter Cleaning (Gutter & Window Cleaning, Snow Removal & Rooftop Snow Removal) Call 277-7740

American Lawn Company (Fall Cleanup & Snow Removal) Call 222-6533

Barnes Inc. (Fall Cleanup & Snow Removal) Call 845-3230

Boley Tree & Landscaping Care (Fall Cleanup & Snow Removal) C & C Lawn Care (Fall Cleanup) Call 513-8580

Coldwell Banker Concierge Service (Fall Cleanup & Snow Removal) Call 276-3161

Hooks Landscaping (Fall Cleanup & Snow Removal) Call 212-4126

Maple Leaf, Inc. (Fall Cleanup & Snow Removal) Call 845-2203

Foreclosure Assistance
RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS FACING FORECLOSURE
The First Step:
Call the National Hotline for Foreclosure Assistance. This should be the first step because then the person will be considered registered. The federal government has set up this hotline called Project HOPE ­ an organization developed to help talk with folks about their foreclosure avoidance possibilities, and act as a consumer advocate between the homeowner and the mortgage holder trying to work out some kind of renegotiation of mortgage payments.

1-888-995-hope (4673)   24 hours a day,   7 days a week

The Second Step:
It is likely that people will be referred to a local office after making the initial call to Project HOPE.

The local agency here in Madison is: Common Wealth Development, Inc. Paul Jasenski, Project Manager, 1501 Williamson Street, Madison, WI 53703 (608) 256-3527, ext 14

Common Wealth Development is contracting with an individual(s) to work with people in this predicament. This person can be an intermediary between the individual and the mortgage holder. The individual facing foreclosure should always start with a call to Project HOPE.

Home Engergy Plus Program for 2009-2010
Who Qualifies for Energy Assistance?
• Households whose total gross income for the three months immediately preceding the month of the application are at or below the amount for their household size (See income guidelines)

• Households that are responsible for paying heating costs directly to a fuel or utility company (must have an active utility account)

• Households whose heating costs are included in their rent may qualify

Grant Amounts and Payments
• Grants are determined based on energy costs, household size, income, dwelling type, etc.

• Households who pay their energy costs to a utility or fuel company will have a payment check sent to their company

Home Weatherization
You may also qualify for free Home Weatherization. Ask for more information during your appointment.

Homebound?
If you are unable to make it to an application site due to a physical disability or special hardship, it may be possible to mail you an application or assist you by phone.

How to Apply for Home Energy Assistance
Step One
Call Energy Services, Inc. at (608) 267-8601 to schedule an appointment (for in office and outreach sites).

Step Two
Be sure to come to your appointment prepared with these items:
1. Your most recent energy bill(s)
2. Copy of your lease (if a renter)
3. Social Security cards for all members of your household
4. Written proof of all household gross income for the 3 months prior to your application (payroll stubs, child support printout, unemployment printout, Social Security benefit verification letter, etc.)

Important Telephone Numbers:
Child Support: 1-800-991-5530
Unemployment: 1-800-494-4944
Social Security: 1-800-772-1213

Don’t delay! Call Energy Services, Inc. today to schedule your appointment!

Copyright 2009 - All Rights Reserved- West Madison Senior Coalition