Riverside trustees hear spike in assistance requests; assessor warns refunds delayed by tech error

Riverside Township trustees heard on March 10 that requests for general assistance have increased recently, a trend the board’s Supervisor attributed to landlords resuming eviction activity as winter ends.

The Supervisor told the board that staff have been focused on assistance applications over the past two weeks and that roughly $22,000 from 2025 tax receipts and prior-year deposits was received this month, improving near-term finances. He also noted plans for radio programming in May tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Mary Joe Miller, Riverside Township Assessor, told the trustees that exemption applications (homeowner, senior, low‑income senior freeze, disabled‑veteran and disability exemptions) were posted online and paper copies are available at the assessor’s office; renewal applications are expected to be mailed next week. Miller said the first‑installment tax bill for the 2025 tax year is due April 1 and reminded residents that for a bill to be considered postmarked by that date they should obtain a dated postmark at the counter.

Miller warned that refunds processed by the treasurer’s office are currently on hold because the online refund process is not functioning due to a technology error, creating confusion for residents seeking refunds. “All refunds from the treasurer’s office are still on hold due to technology errors,” she said, adding that her office has been referring residents to the community resource center for in‑person assistance.

The board did not take formal action on the report and directed staff to add further planning for the 250th commemoration to next month’s agenda.

The board is expected to publish the annual town meeting agenda in advance of the April 14 meeting, which will begin at 6:01 p.m.