4 // Herald - Lantern - Dispatch 13 November '85 49

Extending Low-cost Loans

TRENTON - The New Jersey Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) is offering 10.7 percent, fixed-rate home loans through the end of March, John P Renna. chairman of the HMFA and Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs, has announced. Previously, the agency had promised to keep funding available only through Oct. 31. The 30-year loans are available to buyers in specific urban areas and first-time -home buyers statewide meeting maximum income limits, which are $24,000 to $30,000 in Cape May County. "WE HAVE accomplished what we set out to do with the Home Mortgage Program." said Renna. 'By guaranteeing the availability of funds, we eliminated the lines that inconvenienced home buyers. By targeting the funds, we have insured that families with the greatest need for a low-interest loan have had the broadest possible opportunity to apply for one. We were even able to extend eligibility to a slightly higher income group of families who also need assistance."

When the Home Mortgage Program opened last May. the loan fund was $1 10 million, and funds were available to urban buyers , with no income limits imposed and first-time home buyers statewide with incomes at or below $24,000 to $28,000. or 80 percent of county median. IN AUGUST, the HMFA increased the county maximum income limits to $30,000 to $34,000 ( 100 percent of county median) and released an additional $30 million into the HMP loan pool. With this extension, the HMFA added another $22 million, bringing the total fund to $162 million. About half of the money already has been reserved or committed. and the agency expect the remaining $81 million will be sufficient to serve homebuyers into the first three months of next year, said Feather O'Connor. executive director of the HMFA. "The Home Mortgage Program marked the first time we have attempted to keep a window open for a long period of time." Ms. O'Connor explained.

Advice on Using SS Toll-free Number

By l)EI. BROOKS Social Security Manager in Wildwood In many of my talks to groups in Cape May County. one question I always receive is "Why can't I ever get through to the tollfree number? It's always busy!" To answer this question, it's necessary to understand how the concept of toll-free service operates. About 10 years ago. the Social Security Administration decided that to allow local offices to process claims for benefits quicker and to serve people who visit a local office faster, a toll-free telephone number would be established. FOR PEOPLE who did not wish to or didn't have the time to visit their local office, they could call one number to ask general questions about the Social Security or SSI Programs or to change their address on their checks, ask for a replacement Medicare card or report non-receipt of a monthly check, among other functions. This has proved to be a very successful operation. 1-800-272-1111 does not tie you into the Wildwood Social Security Office, but rather you reach a telephone center in Parlin. N.J. Trained representatives are there to answer questions that you have. Parlin handled calls from nearly two-thirds of the state - all towns from Elizabeth and south - nearly four million people! There are 58 incoming telephone lines staffed by 50 representatives. On an average, they receive between 2400-3500 calls each dav. BECAUSE OF this sizeable workload, they do have peak times when all lines will be busy and times when it's easiest to get

through The best time to call is the last two weeks of any month, except Monday. which is the busiest day of the week. (Of course, if it's an emergency you can call at any time). They normally begin answering the phones at 8:30 a.m.. but some days the staff must be trained on the ever changing Social St'cfWity regulations so thejWill not begin answering until 9 a.m. DURING THE DAY. the best times to call are 11-12 a.m.. l:45-2;45 p.m.. and after 3:30 until 5 p.m.. when they stop answering the phones. If you try and time your calls during those times and certain periods of the month, your call will be answered since Parlin answers 95 percent of all calls received. If you receive a ^busy signal it does not necessarily mean that Social "Security lines are busy. We share toll-free phone lines with all other businesses in the state. So. sometimes the N.J. Bell switching unit, which directs calls to the appropriate business, is busy and unable to make this connection. PARLIN ALSO has employes that work part time but their schedules arersuch that they are on duty during the peak answering periods of the day to answer your questions. If you get through but receive a recorded message, do not hang up because a representative will answer your call shortly. You will hear music after this message until your call is answered. Since newtelephone equipment was installed in November. 1984, it is rare that calls are disconnected, and the newsystem also provides clearer reception, which gives you better service.

COMPARED TO a conventional 30-year loan at 12.5 percent, a Home Mortgage Program loan at 10.7 percent offers 'savings of approximately $61.90 per month on a $45,000 mortgage. Over a 30-year loan, the total saving comes to $22,284. In addition, conventional loans carry points or discount fees that are 1 to 2 percent higher than those charged by the HMFA. The agency also requires only a 5 percent down payment. Generally, a home buyer earning $25,000 annually may qualify for a $47,000 mortgage loan with a 5% down payment, providing there are no other outstanding debts. Families earning $34,000 may qualify for loans of up to $68,000. Private mortgage insurance is required on all loans. There are no prepayment penalties. Borrowers must occupy the residence for the loan term. First-time home buyers are defined as people who have not lived in a home they owned within the past three years. Residences eligible for financing can be either existing one to four-unit dwellings or newly constructed single-family homes which are substantially complete at time of loan application Condominiums and units in planned unit developments are eligible for financing but are subject to additional requirements All loan applications are madt through participating mortgage lenders. Home buyers must present a signed purchase contract at time of application and proof of income in the firm of a current pay stub or most recent tax filing^ One percent of the mortgage loan, a $100 application fee. and expenses for appraisal and credit report fees are payable at the time of application. Many lenders in the program will assist individuals in determining what purchase price and mortgage loan amount they can afford before they choose a house to purchase. All borrowers must have an acceptable- credit rating and show sufficient income to repay the loan. In deter mining eligibility, the agency uses current household income projected over the next 12 months. THE HMFA also offers 9.375; percent home improvement loans to lowand moderate-income homeowners statewide. Home Improvement Loan Program funds are available for general home improvements, including home expansions, roof replacements, kitchen and bath renovations and energy conservation measures. Funding for the Home Mortgage Program is made available through the sale of tax-exempt bonds. The agency's programs have enabled more than 50,000 New Jerseyans to purchase or improve their homes since 1971. Further information concerning the Home Mortgage Program and Home Improvement Loan Pro gram may be obtained from a participating lender or the New Jersey Housing 6 Mortgage Finance Agency's Hot Line at 890-1300.

Go Ahead < From Page l > , mit does not go far enough." Beitel said In a letter to the DEP. Beitel insisted the proposed plant be "capable of treating 12,000 gallons of effluent daily" and warned that "if such a system is not built, and the system should prove inadequate. I assure you that the association will sue all the agencies involved plus Hospicomm." "That still stands." Beitel told this newspaper. "But it is the responsibility of the township to protest the system " The township has refused to reconsider a tabled resolution of approval, because of questions regarding the plant's capacity and whether it will have a qualified licensed operator. DEP officials can approve the plant without township approval, but must give the township and public 30 days to comment. According to township officials, they have received no notice from the DEP THE TOWNSHIP SENT a letter to the i DEP two weeks ago, protesting the capaci i ty of the planned plant, but has not yet prepared a response to the official notice last week of Hospicomm "s plant application permit. The 120-bed nursing home apparently cannot open until the 30-day notification period expires in mid-December Hospicomm's partner. Benjamin Miller, said the convalescent center could be ready by the end of November and is prepared to open "as soon as possible " It was supposed to open last month "We have to wait for Department of ^ Health and Department of Human Services approval, which should come within the month." Miller said "We just need some determination from the DEP and the two agencies and we're prepared to go ahead."

Jfc.fi. ««»..! "OLD GLORY" — Flags wave proudlv in the breeze on Veterans' Day. Monday, at the county Veterans' Cemetery. Crest Haven. They mark the graves of those who served in defense of what they represent. Thornton— : From Page 1 > *"/ — World War II. Korea. Vietnam. Lebanon — would have been prevented I'm sDre that all the men and women who have faithfully served our nation dur ing its time of need — those that sacrified their lives, well-being and their careers for Hjeir country — also wish that the War to End All U'ors would have ended on Nov II. 1918 r ,

Netc Group to Aid Farmers —

(From Page 1 > Thomas Kean on Jan. 26. 1983. enable formation of the board and set criteria for it It will consist of seven appointed county residents, all voting members At least four of the seven must be active farmers and three of the four must own at least a portion of the land being farmed. The remaining three can come from the general public, but should have an interest in the objectives of farmland preservation. The law requires that three of the members shall be appointed for two-year terms, two for three-year terms and two for four-year terms. Thereafter, all appointments will be for four years BOA has submitted 11 recommendations for appointment along with a brief biography of each, to the freeholders Active farmers owning a portion of the land farmed are: • David L. Bohm, Stipson's Island Road. Eldora He manages Bohm's Sod Farm with his father and grows alfalfa and wheat on farmland in his name He was named BOA president last Wednesday night. • Robert C. Conover. Delsea Drive. Green Creek He operates and manages Clinton Conover Farms with his father and owns farmland integrated into that operation. • Jonathan F. Sayre. Landseair Farm. 1043 Seashore Rd.. Cold Spring. Ixiwer Township. A retired vocational agriculture teacher. Sayre owns Landseair Farm. He actively farms part-time and sells produce and corn. He is interested in farmland preservation. • Kenneth D Schellinger, Bayshore Road. Green Creek. He owns farmland, raises alfalfa and hay and operates a parttime swine farm • Nicholas P Germanio. Evergreen Drive. Bellepiain. He operates a games preserve and raises wild fowl, sorghum, rye and nursery stock. He owns farmland in his name and leases more than 1.000 acres of additional farm and woodland for his game preserve. Germanio operates the Bellepiain Supply Company as a non-farm business. • George Campbell. 211 Stipson's Island Rd.. Eldora. He owns 2,500 acres of a salt hay meadow, some upland ground, and farmland. He also produces fresh hay, owns a nonfarm development business and is in the process of developing a private f campground • Gregory C. Mason. Dennisville. He owns farmland, produces blueberries, asparagus, strawberries and tree fruits for Pick Your Own, and leases 93 additional acres for blueberry and vegetable production. He also operates Cliff Wilson and Sons TV and Appliance store in Wildwood. • Bruno Tropeano. 8 Bayaire Road,

Marmora Newly-elected Upper Township Committeeman, Tropeano owns seven acres of farmland and farms 11 acres in Christmas trees and beach grass. He is interested in farmland preservation. CITIZENS INTERESTED in representing the general public are • George B. Brewer Jr.. Dennisville. He owns woodland, operates a saw mill and sells wood products He also owns and operates a private campground in Cumberland County and is interested in land preservation • George Campbell Jr.. Stipson's Island Road. Eldora. He is a young farmer who owns 150 acres of salt hay meadow in Cumberland County, but no farmland in this county. He farms primarily for his father, but raises about 20 steers on his own. • Richard H. Startare, Delsea Drive, Dias Creek He is concerned with balanced planning and farmland preservation. He is not an operating farmer and owns no farmland, but is concerned with balanced planning and farmland preservation. He works as a sales associate with .Schick Realty Inc. of North Cape May. Freeholder Herbert Frederick emphasized that the BOA list is not exclusive. "There is nothing saying that those individuals are the only ones being considered." he said. "I asked for some recommendations from the Extension Service so we would have some basis to work from." He said all appointments might not come from this list, although all of them should be considered. He said appointments will come at a- later meeting, possibly on Nov. 26. IN ADDITION TO THE seven ap pointees, the pending board will include representatives from the county Planning Board, the Cape-Atlantic Soil Conservation District and one of the two county agricultural agents of the Cooperative Extension Service. Those three representatives would have no voting power, but work closely with the CMCADB. Expected to represent those agencies are: county Planning Director Elwood L. Jarmer, county Agricultural Agent Larry E. Newbold, and Cape-Atlantic Soil Con servation District Manager Dominick Cassetta, Jr, according to freeholder William E. Sturm, Jr. The CMCADB will be required to give public notice of its meetings under the state Open Public Meetings Act.