Woodbridge Human Services News: Memorial Day Ceremony, Volunteer Recognition, Tax Relief Info & More

DEA Drug Take Back Day

The Bi-Annual DEA Drug Take Back Day will be held in conjunction with the Earth Day 2024 celebration on Saturday, April 27^th, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Police Department entrance. You may bring any unused or expired medications, including pet medications. Vape and tobacco devices, with batteries removed, will also be accepted. Please no liquids or sharps. This is a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of prescription drugs. If you cannot make it on the 27^th, the Woodbridge Police Department offers 24-hour access to safe drug disposal year-round.

Food Pantry

Residents in need may call for access to non-perishable food each month. If interested in donating, the food pantry needs canned chicken, snack foods (including cookies, nuts, crackers, pretzels, fruit bars, chips, and brownie mix), coffee (both ground and instant), shelf stable milk, canola and olive oil, condiments (especially ketchup and mayonnaise), pasta sauce, cleaning products, laundry soap, and personal hygiene products such as deodorant, toothpaste, razors, and shampoo.  Please check items for expiration dates prior to donating.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day will be commemorated in Woodbridge on May 27 at 11 am at the Veterans of Foreign Wars monument in front of the Center Building. With this ceremony, the Town will pay tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in service to this country. The annual program, led by former Army Captain Barry Josephs, will include patriotic music, a memorial wreath presentation, the Woodbridge Police Department Honor Guard, Boy Scout Troop 907, and remarks by state and local elected officials. The keynote speaker will be Civil War Historian Irving Moy. Moy is a well-known Civil War author, historian, and reenactment participant who specializes in the life of Abraham Lincoln. He is also the Civil War docent at the West Haven Military Museum and Learning Center. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in The Woodbridge Center (lower-level Center Building).

Volunteer Appreciation Event

The Human Services Dept. will honor over 100 volunteers at the 34th Annual Volunteer Recognition Celebration. Many thanks to all receiving this honor for their generous volunteer contributions. The Human Services Special Recognition Award will be presented to Amity Garden Center— Peter Verab and Bailey, Moore, Schaefer, Glazer, and Proto, LLP. Outstanding Volunteers this year are VITA program coordinator Vinny Spino and Woodbridge resident Lauren Sholtis. The Community Organization and Business Award will be presented to Valley Pharmacy—Will Zaleha, Massaro Farm, and Opal Stork —Sandra Salmon. The Woodbridge Center Award will be given to Laura Speranzini and Lainey Blanar. The First Selectman’s Youth Award will be presented to Sophie Noujaim. Attendance at this event is by invitation only. Please call if you have not received your invitation and believe you should be on the list.

Living Treasure Committee Volunteers Sought

The Human Services Department will hold the 6^th annual Living Treasure event on September 25^th. The event will honor a few residents age 60 or over, who have demonstrated positive actions to improve the quality of life in Woodbridge, have contributed and may continue to contribute their time to enhance our community, and have performed this work on a volunteer, unpaid basis. The Living Treasure event is a community-building event which also serves as a fundraiser for The Woodbridge Center

Members of the community are welcome to join the event planning committee which meets during the months of June, July, August, and September. For information about meeting dates, or to volunteer, please contact Jeanette Glicksman at 203-389-3429. Donations of gift certificates to local businesses, tickets to sporting events, timeshares, etc. are welcome!

Woodbridge Tax Relief Programs

Woodbridge residents may file applications for the State and Town Elderly and Total Permanent Disability (TPD) Tax Relief Programs by May 15, 2024. You must be 65 years of age or older, or you must have a Total Permanent Disability (TPD) prior to December 31, 2023 to qualify. This is an income-based program and proof of income and 2023 Federal Tax Return, if filed, are required. Forms may be found online at https://www.woodbridgect.org/164/Renters-Relief-Program.

State and Town Additional Veteran Program

Woodbridge veteran residents may file applications for the State and Town Additional Veteran Program by October 1, 2024. DD-214 discharge papers need to have been filed with the Town Clerk’s Office by September 30, 2023, for eligibility this year. There is no age requirement. This is an income-based program and proof of income and 2023 Federal Tax Return, if filed, are required. Applications may be completed at the website or in person at the Assessor’s Office at Town Hall. You may also connect to the state program through this website link. The biennial application can be found here: http://www.woodbridgect.org/165/Veterans-Exemption.

Emergency Preparedness

In the event of a weather emergency or power outage, elderly residents and those with disabilities are encouraged to register for the Emergency Call List by contacting the Human Services Department at 203-389-3429. The Department will provide outreach to all on the list prior to anticipated emergencies