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Frequently Asked Questions
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The following is a list of questions frequently asked by citizens. You may search for specific words or phases, or shorten the list by selecting a specific category.
Animal Control
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Contact Brighton Animal Control at (585) 784-5120. Give us your name, address and a phone number to contact you at. Give us the breed, color, sex, age and any collar/tags that are on the dog. If you live near the border of the city or another town then you should contact their animal control depts. as well. Rochester (585) 428-7274; Penfield (585) 340-8616; Henrietta (585) 359-7009; Pittsford (585) 248-6240. You should also contact the Humane Society at (585) 223-1330. If your dog returns home before we call you back then please leave us a message to let us know you are all set.
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If you know your dog has been impounded, then come in to the Town Clerk's Office at 2300 Elmwood Ave. Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. On Saturdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm come to the main entrance to the Police Dept. at 2300 Elmwood Ave., pick up the phone and tell 911 you need animal control to respond to the office. You will need to provide up-to-date license and rabies information, as well as pay the accrued impound and boarding fees for your dog. You will then be given a pink copy of the impound paperwork. Take that paperwork to the appropriate animal hospital where your dog is boarded. Showing them the paperwork will get your dog returned to you. The animal hospital will not release your dog to you without the necessary paperwork.
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The Police Officers do not have authorization to check on the status of dog licenses, collect seizure/impound fees and complete the impound paperwork. You will have to wait until Monday morning to redeem your dog.
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If your dog has been impounded then you can obtain a license for it when you come in to the Town Clerk's Office to pay the fees. You will need to provide proof of a current rabies vaccination. In addition, if your dog has been neutered/spayed then you can save on the cost of the license by providing that documentation. The metal license tag you receive should be attached to your dog's collar at all times.
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Assessment
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If you filed a Formal Complaint and have received a decision notice from the Board of Assessment Review and still believe the assessment is not proper, you must file for Small Claims Assessment Review. Complete form RPTL 730. This form is available through our "Document Center", at the Monroe County Clerks Office or at the New York State Office of Real Property
Website.
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Taxes are provided by the Town Clerk at (585)784-5240. They may also be viewed online through the Monroe County property portal.
www.monroecounty.gov
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STAR is the New York State School Tax Relief program that provides an exemption on a portion of school property taxes for owner-occupied, primary residences.
There are two types of STAR exemptions: Enhanced and Basic.
More Information and Applications
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The STAR Rebate Checks were issued by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Please call them at 1-877-678-2769 and they can tell you the amount of your rebate check. You can also check online,
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The Assessor's office accepts informal assessment review requests annually from August 1st through December 31st. Formal reviews are conducted annually on Grievance Day, the 4th Tuesday in May. The Grievance Application form is available through the link provided below but must be filed in hard copy format at the assessor's office on or before 8:00 pm on the 4th Tuesday of each May. The Assessor's Office begins accepting Grievance applications on May 1st; early filing is encouraged.
Grievance Application Form
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The last Assessment update was in 2002.
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The next Assessment update will be in 2008.
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New York State law requires that assessments be fair, and that all properties be assessed at a uniform percent of market value. Appreciation in the local real estate market since the 2002 assessment re-valuation has caused our assessments to reflect a value inconsistent with the true value of our properties. Market values change. If the assessments do not reflect these changes, then some property taxpayers could pay more than their fair share of taxes, while others may pay less than their fair share. Revaluations are intended to restore fairness throughout the community.
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The Assessor inventories and values Real Property at a uniform percentage of value which is 83% for the Town of Brighton. The Tentative 2007 Assessment Roll was filed on May 1, 2007.
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For example, four home owners purchased homes in Brighton for $100,000 in 2002. Over the years, the value of real estate has changed. House “A” may now sell for $80,000, house “B” may still sell for $100,000, house “C” may now sell for $120,000 and house “D” may now sell for $160,000. Updating the assessments will reflect the new market values and will fairly
distribute the tax burden based on the current market value of each property.
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Courts
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If you receive a traffic ticket you have several choices on how to handle it: Pleading Guilty, Pleading Not Guilty or a Court Appearance without A Plea by Mail
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You must plead guilty in writing or in person in order for the Judge to assess the fine and surcharge.
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Call the Brighton Court Office before the court date at (585) 784-5152 to reschedule.
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Whether or not you need an attorney to handle your traffic infraction is a personal decision that only you can make. If your license is in jeopardy based on the point system or if a traffic charge resulted from an accident, you are advised to consult an attorney.
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Yes, court is open to the public.
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Finance
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The Town Board reviews all claims at the Wednesday bi-monthly Town Board Meetings and checks are mailed for approved claims on the following Friday.
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Checks may be picked up in the Finance Office after 3:00 pm on the Friday following a Town Board Meeting.
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Fire Department
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Just mail back the letter to the Fire Marshal: Brighton Town Hall
2300 Elmwood Avenue
Rochester, NY 14618 Include a note that your service has been cancelled.
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Yes, fill out the Fire Marshal Permit Application and bring it in to the Town Hall.
Permit Application
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Highway
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View the Highway Winter Policies here.
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View the Highway Winter Policies here.
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View the Highway Winter Policies here.
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Please call the Highway Department at (585) 784-5280.
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Report the pothole location (address and/or nearest cross street) to Brighton Operations at (585) 784-5280
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Call Brighton Operations at (585) 784-5280 and give the location (address and/or nearest cross street) and the type of animal.
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Call RG&E at (585) 771-6780 to report any street lighting issues.
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Report the street sign location (address and/or nearest cross street) to Brighton Operations at (585) 784-5280.
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Home
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The Brighton Town Hall is located at 2300 Elmwood Avenue between Monroe Avenue and Clinton Avenue.
Map
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Brighton Recreation is located in the former Brookside School at 220 Idlewood Road. Take Westfall Road to Evans Lane then turn onto Idlewood Road and look for the school sign. The other entrance is off Winton Road between Westfall Road and route 590. Look for the Brighton Parks & recreation sign on the east side of Winton Road.
Map
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Regular business hours for the Town Hall offices are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.
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The Brighton Town Court is located in the Public Safety Wing of the Town Hall complex at 2300 Elmwood Avenue.
Map
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Human Resources
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You may download an application and return it directly to the department or to the Personnel Office at: Brighton Town Hall
2300 Elmwood Avenue
Rochester, NY 14618
Application
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Parks and Recreation
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All facility reservations must be made in person at the Brighton Recreation Office located at 220 Idlewood Road.
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No refunds are issued except when a program is cancelled or if you move before a program starts or a doctor certifies illness of a participant. A $10 administrative fee will be withheld on all refunds unless the class is cancelled.
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Requests to transfer from one program to another must be made 2 weeks prior to class start date. A $10 administrative fee will be charged and must be paid before request is processed.
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No alcohol is allowed in any Town Park or facility.
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No news is good news. Assume you are in the class you registered for unless you hear from us. We will contact you if there is a problem with your registration.
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Yes. Non-resident registration starts 2 weeks after Resident registration begins.
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Yes, as long as it is on a leash at all times and you pick up after it.
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Police
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The best immediate action to take is to hang up the phone, wait for a dial tone and press *64 or *66 on your telephone immediately after the call is received. There is a charge for this trace. The telephone company will advise you at that time if the trace was successful. Regardless of the success of the trace, call 911 and request an officer to respond to your location for an aggravated harassment report. Calls not of a threatening nature will be classified as an annoyance. Based upon the investigation, the officer and the telephone company may institute further action.
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Copies of approved accident reports are available to the drivers and occupants involved. Copies of approved crime and incident reports are available to the victim. Copies of reports can be obtained either in person or by mail by enclosing a stamped self-addressed envelope. The cost for all copies is $0.25 per page.
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The police department requests that the list of people to notify in an emergency be kept as accurate as possible. In this way, we can contact you immediately if necessary and not needlessly bother individuals no longer connected with your business. To update your information, print out the update form and mail it to the police department.
Emergency Contact Form
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Children under the age of 4 and weighing less than 40 pounds must be in approved child safety seats. Children between 4-6 must be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system, such as a child safety seat, harness/vest, or booster seat. Seat belts are not designed for children under 4’9”, and do not protect small children. Your child should stay in a booster seat until the adult seat belt fits him or her properly. This is usually when your child reaches 4'9" in height and is about 8 years old. All passengers under the age of 16 must use seatbelts. All front seat passengers, including the driver, are required to use a seatbelt.
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For vehicles authorized to be released, an "Authorization for Release Slip" must be obtained from Records during normal business hours. To obtain the "Authorization for Release Slip" you must provide the following documents: • Valid Ownership Papers (Title &/or Registration)
• Valid Insurance Card
• Valid Personal Photo ID The vehicle will only be released to the registered or titled owner, unless written notarized authorization from the owner is produced. An owner obtaining a release slip where the vehicle is stored at the PD impound may pick it up 24 hours a day. The minimum tow fee is $100.00 and is subject to additional charges. The storage fee of $12.00 per day starts after the vehicle is OK’d for release. Payment must be made in the form of cash (exact amount). An owner obtaining a release slip where the vehicle is stored at Bucci Towing, Sutherland Service, or Twelve Corners Towing must contact the appropriate vendor for release information and storage fees. Their phone numbers are: Bucci - (585) 533-1818; Sutherland - (585) 381-5610; and Twelve Corners - (585) 473-5000.
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To report suspected drug activity, call the Brighton Police Department's hotline at (585) 784-5382.
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Fingerprints are available to Town residents and those people working within the Town of Brighton. Fingerprints are taken on Mondays from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm and on Wednesdays from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, holidays excluded. Please call ahead (585) 784-5125 to ensure that fingerprinting for that day has not been canceled. Anyone wishing to have their fingerprints taken must provide a completed and signed fingerprint card, available from the requesting agency. The fee is $5.00 cash (exact amount only, please) per fingerprint card. The police department no longer fingerprints for immigration purposes.
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A person with a driver's permit may operate a vehicle between the hours of 5:00 am and 9:00 pm when in the direct company of a person over the age of 18 who is in possession of a valid New York State driver's license. Persons with permits may drive between the hours of 9 pm and 5 am when in the direct company of a licensed parent, guardian, Driver Education teacher or Driving School Instructor.
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A person under the age of 18, holding a junior operator's license, may drive between the hours of 5:00 am and 9:00 pm. A person with a junior operator's license, who has successfully completed a driver's education course may drive at night at the age of 17. A 16-year-old with a junior operator's license attending a school accredited activity or working a job may drive after 9:00 pm but only on a direct route home from school or work.
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No parking is allowed on Town streets from November 1 to April 15 between the hours of 2:00 am and 7:00 am. From April 16 to October 31 there is no parking allowed on any State road or where otherwise posted.
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The fines for a parking ticket are listed directly on the ticket. If you plead guilty, the fine can be paid to the Court either in person Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm or by mail.
For traffic tickets, you must enter a plea to the court either in person or by mail, before your court date (see Section "B" on the reverse side of the traffic ticket). You may plead guilty either in person Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm or by mail and the fine will be assessed.
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For Emergencies and Complaints dial 9-1-1
Administration dial (585) 784-5150
Investigative Division dial (585) 784-5110
Records Division dial (585) 784-5125
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All persons age 14 and younger are required to wear a bicycle helmet when they are riding a bicycle or roller-blading.
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Although it is not required, you may register your bicycle with the Brighton Recreation Department if you desire. If you do not register your bicycle it is a good idea to keep the serial number in a safe place in the event the bicycle is lost or stolen.
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Property may be retrieved during the hours of 9:00 am to 4:00 pm by contacting the property clerk at (585) 784-5118. It is recommended you call before you come to the police department to avoid any inconvenience. Property held as a result of criminal activity must first be cleared for release by the district attorney’s office.
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Studded snow tires are legal between October 15 and May 1.
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Because of the potential for damage to vehicles, the police department no longer attempts to open locked doors. A tow company or locksmith is your best alternative. If a child or pet is locked inside, a police officer will request the fire department to gain entry into the vehicle.
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You have two choices. You may call 9-1-1 and advise the operator that a warrant has been issued and that you would like to turn yourself in or you may appear at the police department and advise the records personnel at the front counter.
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Public Works
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Call your hauler. All bulk items must be removed by private refuse companies because the Town only picks up yard debris. If you're in a refuse district, call Waste Management at (585) 254-3500.
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Outside storage of campers, boats and trailers greater than 24 feet in length or 6 feet in height on residential lots is permitted for up to 72 hours in any 4 day period. Campers, boats and trailers and utility trailers under those dimensions may be parked in the rear yard only, provided they are not within 10 feet of a property line and are screened from the view of neighbors. Call (585) 784-5221 or (585) 785-5226 and we'll help.
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Parking of any vehicle on grassed areas in the front yard is prohibited by Town code. Call (585) 784-5221 or (585) 784-5226 and we'll help.
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Town code requires that all properties are kept free of accumulations of brush, shrubs, weeds, grass, stumps, roots, excessive and noxious growths, garbage, refuse and debris. Call (585) 784-5221 or (585) 784-5226 and we'll help.
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Town code requires that exposed surfaces be treated to resist deterioration and weathering if they are not naturally resistant. Materials that are treated must be maintained in a neat, orderly, serviceable manner. Call (585) 784-5221 or (585) 784-5226 and we'll inspect.
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The Town has sidewalk districts that enable repairs to be made to the sidewalks and the cost is shared by the homeowners in those districts. Call the Highway Department at (585) 784-5221 or (585) 784-5226 and we'll inspect.
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Please remember that permits are required for fences, sheds, air conditioners, decks, pools and most other projects. Please call (585) 784-5221 or (585) 784-5226 we will be happy to answer your questions.
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The Town no longer picks up grass clippings. We encourage residents to recycle them back into the lawn. Further, nothing in plastic bags will be picked up. You can use the brown lawn & leaf bags or an empty refuse container (which will be emptied and placed back on your property) for brush and leaves.
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No, any unlicensed, uninspected vehicle is considered to be a junk car and must be under cover (garage) or off the site. Call (585) 784-5221 or (585) 784-5226 and we'll help.
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Trash should not be put out until the day prior to scheduled collection. Containers must be removed from the front yard by the end of the day of pickup. Call (585) 784-5221 or (585) 784-5226 and we'll help.
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Sewer
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If you feel there is a question of whether your home or business is connected to the sewer system, please call Brighton Operations at (585) 784-5280.
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