Page 20 BEACON | FROM PAGE 19 AGAINST: Written by Jerold Duquette, Professor of Political Science, Central Connecticut State University, 860-832-2964 www. masspoliticsprofs.org “A legislative audit conducted by the state auditor, who is an executive branch offi cial, without the Legislature’s consent would violate the separation of powers and legislative supremacy described in and required by the Massachusetts Constitution. The performance audits conducted by the state auditor measure administrators’ performance in achieving the legislatively determined goals of the public policies they administer. The state auditor cannot substitute her interpretation of those goals for the Legislature’s without compromising the constitutional independence and preeminence of the Legislature. If enacted, Question 1 would make the state auditor into a political actor and a potentially infl uential participant in the legislative process, two roles that would clearly compromise the state auditor’s ability to carry out her fundamental constitutional duty to conduct credible, independent, objective and nonpartisan audits of state government departments and programs.” ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL FOSTER HOMES AND DOGS (H 4911) – The House and Senate gave fi nal approval to and sent to Gov. Maura Healey a bill that would ban the Department of Children and Families (DCF) from prohibiting placement of a child in a foster home solely based on the presence of any specifi c breed of dog in the home. The bill also updates animal cruelty and abuse reporting regulations for human services employees or contractors. Supporters said that currently Rottweilers. “Current DCF regulations for foster homes impose a blanket ban on certain breeds of dogs,” said sponsor Rep. Jack Lewis (D-Framingham). “Instead of eliminating countless prospective families, this bill empowers DCF to undertake a holistic review of the family, child and dog to ensure appropriate placement. This bill also amends reporting laws for animal abuse, extending the timeframe in which human services employees or contractors can report animal abuse. THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, OCTObER 11, 2024 Lewis continued, “As co-chair of DCF is allowed to prohibit placement of a child in a home with German Shepherds, Pit Bulls and the Protecting Animal Welfare Caucus, I am proud to spearhead the passage of this bill in the House. There is an urgent need for supportive foster families in the commonwealth, and this bill will open many loving homes to adoptive and foster children.” COMMISSION TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM – Rep. Simon Cataldo (D-Concord) and Sen. John Velis (D-Westfi eld) have been appointed by House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy) and Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) to lead the state’s new Commission On Combating Antisemitism. “The work is urgent and the mission is critical,” said the pair in a joint statement. “Over the past several years, our commonwealth has earned the ignominious reputation as a hub of antisemitic activity. We have heard it through harrowing accounts from Jewish students, parents, educators and people of all backgrounds who feel it on a visceral level in our communities. And we see it in the 2023 data.” They noted that the 189 percent increase in antisemitic incidents in Massachusetts outpaced the 140 BEACON | SEE PAGE 21 CITY OF EVERETT - LEGAL NOTICE - BOARD OF APPEALS 484 BROADWAY, ROOM 24 EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS 02149 To Whom It May Concern: This notice is to inform you that a public hearing will be held on Monday October 21, 2024 at 6:00 PM, Everett City Hall, 3rd Floor George Keverian Hearing Room. All interested parties may attend and opinions will be heard regarding the following petition. Whereas a petition has been presented by: Property Address: Map/Parcel: Property Owner: 222 Vine Street Everett, MA 02149 L0-04-000037 DePiano Realty Trust Ms. Julie DePiano Trustee 62 Forest Street Wilmington, MA 01887 PROPOSAL: The applicant seeks to convert the existing 2 family residence into a 3-family residence. Reason for Denial: Permit was denied in accordance with the City of Everett Zoning Ordinance as follows: The FAR for the proposed use is .6 and there is no parking for the new unit indicated on the supplied plot plan. No new parking has been proposed. Zoning: Section 4 Dwelling Districts (b) Dimensional Requirements line C. Section 4 Dwelling Districts A Uses Where the existing building is already non-conforming, any alteration shall not increase the existing non-conformity. Parking in accordance with this Zoning Ordinance shall be provided for any additional dwelling units. (Ord. of 4-29-91) Rebecca Edmondson Korem - Chairman Roberta Suppa - Clerk of Board of Appeals October 04, 11, 2024 All other uses--------------0.5 maximum floor area ratio (Ord. of 6-29-87; Ord. of 4-29-91 Ord. of 7/16/2002; Ord. of 11/13/2007) IRS Offer in Compromise Scams T he Internal Revenue Service has recently warned of scam artists claiming that their services are necessary in order to resolve outstanding federal income tax issues. Often times, these “mills” charge excessive fees many times with no results. These mills will often make false statements of their ability to settle IRS debts for pennies on the dollar. They will also make the claim that there is not much time provided to the taxpayer in order to compromise the debt with the IRS. The Offer in Compromise (OIC) program is a legitimate program off ered by the IRS. A taxpayer will need to meet all of the requirements in order to be able to settle with the IRS for a reduced amount of federal income taxes owed. IRS Form 656, Off er in Compromise, needs to be completed and submitted to the IRS. In addition, Form 433A, Collection Information Statement for Individuals and Form 433-B, Collection Information for Businesses (if applicable) would also have to be submitted to the IRS. The OIC program is not an easy program to quality for. The IRS will review your income and assets in order to determine your ability to pay. If a taxpayer was unemployed with very little assets, that individual would be a good candidate to submit off er in compromise paperwork to the IRS. You can learn more about the Off er In Compromise program by visiting www.irs.gov. The IRS has an Off er In Compromise Pre-Qualifier Tool that you can use in order to determine if you might initially qualify for a reduction in your tax liability. You can also apply for a payment plan on the irs.gov website. For taxpayers that owe less than $100,000, a shortterm payment plan will provide the taxpayer with an extra 180 days to pay the tax in full. For taxpayers that owe less than $50,000, a long-term payment plan will provide the taxpayer the opportunity to make monthly payments over a period of up to 72 months. So be careful with these companies that promise you the world. I’ve seen instances where more money gets paid to these companies than gets paid to the IRS in order to reduce the amount of taxes owed. Joseph D. Cataldo is an estate planning/elder law attorney, Certifi ed Public Accountant, Certifi ed Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a masters degree in taxation. CHURCH | FROM PAGE 7 location served as the City’s fi rst City Hall until the fi rst offi cial building was constructed in 1893 at the same location where the current City Hall now stands. The second dedication ceremony will recognize the historical signifi cance of Immaculate Conception Church, which was originally named St. Mary’s Church when it was fi rst built in 1877 as Everett’s fi rst Catholic church. Designed by architect Patrick W. Ford, the cornerstone to this Gothic Revival structure was laid in 1896, and the church was completed in 1908 and has served Everett’s ever-changing community for more than a century. These two historical buildings will become part of the Historical Commission’s self-guided walking tour. The tour seeks to highlight the importance of Everett’s history and provides the opportunity for participants to learn about historical sites through informational signs placed at each location throughout the city. The ongoing project will eventually have nearly 100 locations dedicated to a person, historic event or location of a building that is considered part of the more than 150 years of Everett’s history. All are welcome to attend the ceremonies. Light refreshments will be provided in the church hall, which abuts the chapel and is downstairs from the main church of Immaculate Conception Church, immediately following the second dedication ceremony. To learn more about the event or the walking tour, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at 617-394-2225.
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