Toscolano Maderno Plans Housing, Social Services and Tax Reforms

Nine protected accommodations in the area adjacent to the social center on via Verdi, with the commitment to evaluate the possibility of building additional units.

Funding and Projects

“We will allocate one billion lire in the budget,” announces the mayor of Toscolano Maderno, Paolo Elena. “We have requested regional funding based on the Frisl (Regional Investment Fund), at a minimal interest rate. We shouldn’t have any problem obtaining it. Otherwise, we will resort to bank loans.”

The project has been drafted by the head of the Technical Office, engineer Luciano Zanelli. Construction is scheduled to commence in February 2002. The deadline is within 12 months.

The apartments will have a useful area of 46 square meters and will be built on a single floor. A specific call for applications will be issued for their allocation.

Social Services and Building Renovation

The priority will be given to those over 65 years old and to individuals with disabilities. Elena also added that, upon completion of the construction, the full renovation of the social center building will be carried out during 2003, which will primarily host the following services:

• medical clinics,
• gym for motor and rehabilitative activities,
• rooms reserved for the Health Officer and ASL staff (medical on-call, diagnostics, etc.),
• general activities such as patronage consultancy, blood testing center, meetings reserved for pensioners.

The mayor and some representatives of Cisl (Fabio Zuradelli, Pier Luigi Pasini) and Cgil (Luigi Trevenzuoli) explained to the elderly the most significant points of the agreement signed by the Municipal Administration and the trade unions.

On one side, the discussion about protected housing, on the other, the provisions for the most disadvantaged: home assistance, telesoccorso (tele-surveillance), meal delivery to the homes of the non-self-sufficient, handling of administrative procedures and small errands, targeted grants (aimed at encouraging the elderly to remain within their family nucleus).

The town hall will allocate 28 million lire to ensure the social health voucher for the elderly who have not had their request accepted by the Region.

Starting from 2002, the Ici (property tax) on primary residences (and on second homes made available to close relatives) will decrease from 4.3 per mille to 4; the deduction will increase from 250,000 to 271,000 lire.

“In ’98,” Elena explained, “the rate was 4.5, and owners of a property with a cadastral income of 1.5 million lire paid 508,000 lire. In 2001, the amount dropped to 427,000 and will eventually reach 359,000, representing a 30% decrease over four years. Not to forget that, in the past, on second homes, relatives paid 7 per mille, just like everyone else.”

Citizens and families with modest incomes will benefit from reimbursement of health tickets up to 100% of the cost. The sole occupant of an apartment, receiving the minimum pension, can request a special subsidy to reduce waste collection fees by 30% (if under 60 years old) or by 50% (if over 60).

From January 1st, the delivery of civil certificates (residence, birth, citizenship, marital status, family rights, ID card, etc.) will be activated via home delivery for those over 65, disabled, and individuals with permanent or temporary disabilities.

Requests should be submitted to the phone numbers 0365546020 or 0365546021. The same office will assist in filling out self-certification forms to streamline interactions between users and public administration.

Areas Not Served by Natural Gas and Heating Subsidies

Furthermore, the resolution identifying areas and neighborhoods not served by natural gas has already been enacted. Consumers are entitled to a reduction of 250 lire per liter on the price of diesel and 308 lire on Gpl (liquefied petroleum gas) used for heating.