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Treasurer / Collector

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1. How much is a Municipal Lien Certificate and how do I order one?

Municipal Lien Certificates are requested in writing, or on the town's website under the Online Tax Payments tab. The costs for a Municipal Lien Certificate are as follows:

• Residential: $25
• Commercial/Industrial: $150
• Quarterly Breakdown: $2

We process Municipal Lien Certificate requests on a daily basis. Although we understand the importance and urgency of these requests and strive to have a quick turnaround time, during times of high volume there may be a slight delay.

2. How can I change the name or mailing address on a bill?

The Treasurer/Collector's office cannot make changes to your invoice. For real estate and personal property tax bills, you will need to contact the Assessor's Office. Their number is 508-366-3010. For water/sewer bills, you will need to contact the Department of Public Works. Their number is 508-366-3070.

The bill information on your excise tax invoice comes from the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Any changes made there will reflect on the following year's bill.

3. How do I get a final water reading?

Final water readings are scheduled through the Department of Public Works. Their number is 508-366-3070. Final water bills are paid through the Treasurer/Collector's office. These particular bills are not on the website and must be paid either in the office or through the mail.

4. Why is my water bill always the same?

Being connected to the public water/sewer system will automatically generate an invoice. If your household uses less than a certain amount of water, your bill will reflect the minimum. Any questions about your usage should be directed to the Department of Public Works. Their number is 508-366-3070. Any questions regarding your payments can be directed to us in the Treasurer/Collectors Office at 508-366-3025 or 508-366-3080.

5. Do you send a taxes paid statement out at the end of the calendar year?

We can provide you with a taxes paid statement for any date range you might require, but the request for that needs to be done in writing. We provide a request form on our department page but also accept emails requesting the information. This is a high-volume request at the end of the calendar year. Although these requests are processed on a first come first serve basis, we understand their importance for tax purposes and are diligent in processing them in a timely fashion.

6. Does a credit on an old excise bill automatically credit a new excise bill?

If the credit on an old bill is less than the value of your new bill, no. the credit will be refunded. If the credit is the same or exceeds the new bill, we can move the credit forward. However, this is not automatic and would only happen during the refund process or if requested by the vehicle owner.

7. When are refunds issued?

Refunds are processed in the last week of every month.

8. Do you accept postdated checks?

Unfortunately, we are not able to accept postdated checks.

9. Can I make partial payments?

Partial payments can be made on real estate/personal property tax bills and water/sewer bills. However, excise bills must be paid in full.

10. Can I pay my real estate taxes all at once?

The 1st and 2nd quarters of real estate taxes can be paid at the same time when they are created in July. The 3rd and 4th quarters can be paid at the same time when they are created in January.

11. Can I go paperless?

At this time a paper bill will always be mailed for any tax and utility bill. However, you can register your bills on the town's website to receive electronic copies, email the remainder, and set up payment schedules or autopay. Due to the nature of excise bills, they will need to be registered annually in order to utilize that autopay function. Excise bills do not need to be registered if processing a one-time payment.

12. Who are Kelley and Ryan Associates?

Kelley and Ryan Associates are what is called a Deputy Collector. They are a third-party collection agency that towns and cities employ in the collection of delinquent excise taxes. When delinquent excise taxes pass the first demand fee (sent out by the Town), they are turned over to the deputy collector where additional fees are added. Once bills are in the custody of the Deputy Collector payments will no longer be made to the Town, but due directly to the Deputy Collector.

13. Why are the 1st and 2nd quarters of my real estate/personal property tax different from my 3rd and 4th quarters?

The first two quarters of the tax year are preliminary bills, based on the prior fiscal year. The second two quarters are actual tax bills, based on the certified tax rate and assessment.

14. What is the schedule for Real Estate/Personal Property Tax Bills?

Real estate and personal property taxes are billed quarterly on the following schedule:

• Quarter 1: Billed July 1st, due August 1st
• Quarter 2: Billed October 1st, due November 1st
• Quarter 3: Billed January 1st, due February 1st
• Quarter 4: Billed April 1st, due May 1st

All bill types are due after 30 days. After that time, bills are subject to interest and fees. If a bill due date falls on a Saturday or Sunday the bill is due the next business day, normally Monday.

15. What is the schedule for Motor Vehicle Excise Tax?

Excise tax bills generally go out once a year, usually around the middle of February. This bill covers the full calendar year and is an annual tax. You may receive a second bill during the year if certain actions are taken by you with the registry of motor vehicles. These can include reactivating a lapsed registration, switching the plate to a new vehicle, or registering additional vehicles within the year.

All bill types are due after 30 days. After that time, bills are subject to interest and fees. If a bill due date falls on a Saturday or Sunday the bill is due the next business day, normally Monday.

16. What is the period covered in the fiscal year?

The fiscal year runs from July 1st through June 30th.

17. What is the schedule for Water/Sewer bills?

Water/Sewer bills are also billed quarterly, and they are billed approximately two weeks after the real estate bills.

All bill types are due after 30 days. After that time, bills are subject to interest and fees. If a bill due date falls on a Saturday or Sunday the bill is due the next business day, normally Monday.