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1. When should I call 911?

911 lines are reserved for emergency calls to report a crime in progress, or a fire, or to request an ambulance. Using 911 for non-emergency calls may delay the arrival of help for people caught in real emergencies.

2. If 911 is supposed to provide my name and address, why does the dispatcher ask me for it?

It is the dispatcher’s responsibility to confirm that the information shown on the 911 screen is correct. If the name, address, or phone number is wrong in the database, it is up to the dispatcher to have the information corrected.

3. I dialed 911 and explained to the dispatcher that it was an accident, but the police still came to my house. Why?

Boxborough Police Officers are required to check all 911 calls. Occasionally, emergencies are called into 911 when the caller cannot speak freely or at all due to the nature of the emergency. As a precaution we check on all calls made to 911.

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1. What is Domestic Abuse?

Chapter 209A, the Massachusetts Abuse Prevention Act, defines abuse as any of the following:

• Actual physical abuse
• An attempt to harm another
• Placing another in fear of serious physical harm
• Causing another to engage in sexual relations by force, threat of force, or duress

2. Who can I call for help if I am in an abusive relationship?

Aside from the Police, there are several agencies that can assist victims of Domestic Abuse. However, if you are in danger, call 911.

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1. How do I obtain a License to Carry or Firearms Identification Card?

Residents of Boxborough can arrange to apply for either a License to Carry (LTC) or Firearm Identification (FID). Call one of the Department’s Sergeants at 978-264-1750 for an appointment. Be sure to bring your driver’s license, completed application (PDF), and check made out to the Town of Boxborough for the fee. We cannot accept cash.

2. What are the fees for firearms licensing?

The following fees apply:

• Class A License to Carry fee is $100.
• Class B License to Carry fee is $100.
• Firearms Identification Card is $100.
• Firearms Identification Card (Restricted to MACE and pepper spray) is $25.
• Any renewal of an Firearms Identification Card or a License to Carry is free for persons age 70 or over.

3. Do I need a License to Carry (LTC) or Firearm Identification Card (FID) to posses a BB gun?

No. An LTC or FID is not required to possess an air gun (BB, pellet, paintball, or air rifle). However, there are laws regulating their use specific to minors.

4. Who do I notify regarding my License to Carry (LTC) or Firearm Identification (FID) if I am moving?

The holder of the LTC or FID must notify the chief of police in the town that you are moving to and the Executive Director of the Criminal History Systems Board. This must be done within 30 days of the move. Forms can be obtained at the Police Station lobby.

5. Where can I obtain a trigger lock?

Gun dealers and hunting supply stores sell the trigger locks.

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1. I'm going on vacation. Can the police check on my home while I'm gone?

Yes. This is a special service provided by your police department. Please fill out a House Check Form and drop it off at the police station before you leave. Officers on patrol will randomly check on the security of your home while you are away.

2. How can I obtain a copy of a record or report?

You should fill out a copy of the Boxborough Police Department’s Records Request Form (PDF) and submit it to our Records Access Officer. If your insurance company has asked you to obtain a copy of an officers’ accident report, kindly inform your agent that they should make the request and send the appropriate fee to the police department.

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1. What is identity theft and identity fraud?

The short answer is that identity theft is a crime. Identity theft and identity fraud are terms used to refer to all types of crimes in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person’s personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain. To learn more, visit our Identity Theft page.

2. What are the most common ways to commit identity theft or fraud?

Many people do not realize how easily criminals can obtain our personal data without having to break into our homes. To learn more, visit our Common Identity Theft/Fraud Methods and Trends page.

3. What should I do to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft?

There are a number of measures you can take to protect yourself from identity theft.

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1. Can I dispute a speeding ticket at the police station?

No. Directions on disputing a citation are printed on the reverse side of the citation.

2. When do I need to file a traffic accident report?

Every person operating a motor vehicle which is involved in an accident in which any person is killed, injured, or in which there is damage in excess of $1,000 to any one vehicle or other property shall, within five days after such accident, report in writing to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles on a form, and a copy shall be sent to the police having jurisdiction on the road where the accident occurred.

3. What do I do if I am stopped by a Police Officer?

If you are stopped by a police officer:

• Use your directional to signal to the officer that you intend to stop.
• Try to stop in a reasonable location, away from an intersection or driveway.
• Stop your vehicle as far out of the lane of traffic as possible.
• Stay in your vehicle unless asked otherwise by the officer.
• If the stop is at night, turn on the vehicle’s interior light.
• Keep your hands in view at all times, preferably on the steering wheel.
• Wait for the officer to request your license and registration. Police officers are trained to ask for identification prior to providing an explanation for the stop.
• Give the officer a chance to explain why you were stopped.
• If you are issued a citation, do not argue with the officer. If you feel that the citation was wrongly issued, the proper procedure is to request a hearing by following the directions on the reverse side of the citation.

4. How can I obtain a copy of a record or report?

You should fill out a copy of the Boxborough Police Department’s Records Request Form (PDF) and submit it to our Records Access Officer. If your insurance company has asked you to obtain a copy of an officers’ accident report, kindly inform your agent that they should make the request and send the appropriate fee to the police department.

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1. How do I file for a motor vehicle abatement?

Fill out and sign a motor vehicle abatement form.  Attach all the supporting documents requested on Section D of the application, and Email to Assessor, or mail to: Assessor, 29 Middle Rd, Boxborough, MA 01719.

2. How are abatements calculated?

Abatements are prorated by the month.  No abatement shall be granted for less than $5, which is the minimum excise tax for a full calendar year.

3. When is the deadline for filing an abatement?

Abatement applications must be received by the Assessor's office within three years after the excise is due, or one year after the excise is paid, whichever is later.  Suppose an excise tax bill was due on March 1, 2020.  The abatement deadline would be March 1, 2023, OR one year after the payment of the bill, whichever is later.

4. How do I change address for my excise tax?

Change of addresses for Excise Tax is done through the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.  See Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicle Change of Address Form.

5. What if I move to another town in Massachusetts?

The excise tax for any calendar year is due to the municipality in which the vehicle was registered on January 1.  If you move within Massachusetts you pay the motor vehicle excise to the city or town in which the vehicle was registered on January 1 of that year.

6. Does a parent or guardian who owns and registers a vehicle used to transport a disabled minor qualify for exemption?

No.  There is no exemption in G.L. c.60A for a vehicle that is owned and registered to an adult and used to transport a disabled minor.  To qualify for the motor vehicle exemption for a disabled person, the vehicle must be owned and registered by or leased to a person who meets the specific disability standards.  For further information, refer to Motor Vehicle Excise FAQs from DLS.

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1. What is the Valuation Criteria?

The Department of Revenue (DOR) requires communities to value all property each year. Every fifth year is a complete recertification. Both a recertification and an interim year adjustment (the four years in between full recertifications) include a detailed analysis of the appropriate sales data as a basis for adjusting the property values. The goal is to have values represent market value and avoid an excessive swing in the assessments in any given year. A recertification year includes intense examination by the DOR of all the community’s assessment policies and procedures.

Fiscal Year 2024 is the next recertification year in Boxborough.

2. What changes are made each year?

Many of the changes are explained in these frequently asked questions as each section of the property record card is explained. The CAMA (Computer Aided Mass Appraisal) system is used to calculate the values. CAMA tables with the factors used to calculate the values are updated each year based on sales analysis. The factors are adjusted so that the median assessment-to-sale-price ratio is within 10% of what is deemed to be fair market value.

The computer model created is then applied to all the properties in town to arrive at a new value for each property. Changes are typically made to costs-per-square-foot for different building styles and land values for different neighborhoods.

3. Why do different property assessments go up (or down) in different proportions?

The characteristics of your property will determine how the adjustments to the factors will affect your valuation. Items such as location, style, size, quality of construction, age and condition of the house, and lot size of the properties that were sold in the applicable calendar year are analyzed to derive multipliers which are then applied to all properties town-wide. The relative importance of these characteristics in the marketplace determines whether an owner’s valuation changes.

A field review is done to check the application of these characteristics for consistency and uniformity. Properties with renovations or new construction between July 1st and June 30th will usually show an increase in their valuation.

4. When my neighbors house sells, will their price determine my assessment?

A single sale does not establish the market value of all the properties in that area. It is only by examining all of the arms-length sales (a willing buyer and a willing seller acting in an informed manner in the open market) that the Assessor can begin to discern the characteristics of the market. If the sale of your neighbor’s property is an arms-length sale, and if it occurred in the appropriate year, it will be included in the analysis of all sales town-wide and will be part of the data that determines the multipliers to be used to arrive at the new valuations.

5. How will this new valuation affect my tax bill?

The total tax levy is the amount required to fund the budget approved at the Annual Town Meeting. The levy is what determines the tax rate each year. The Assessor does not determine how much the Town will spend for the many services it provides, but apportions the share of these costs fairly among all property owners in town.

The actual tax rate is set after the values are finalized and certified by the Department of Revenue (DOR), and the Selectmen vote on the classification of the rate. The rate calculation is then approved by the DOR and bills are issued reflecting the new values and rate. The value and rate certification usually take place in October and November each year, after the first two quarterly bills for the fiscal year have been issued. The new valuations and rate form the basis for the third and fourth quarter bills, which take into account preliminary payments already made in August and November. The remaining amount due is split between the actual bills, which are due in February and May.

6. How can I get more information?

Maps reflecting assessment information are available on the Town’s GIS website. Through this link, parties can obtain a property record card as well.

7. Why are the tax amounts on my bill different from what I paid last quarter?

Boxborough issues quarterly real estate bills throughout the fiscal year, which runs from July 1st through June 30th. The typical due dates are August 1st, November 1st, February 1st, and May 1st. The first and second quarter bills, which are due in August and November, are preliminary only, and calculated by taking the total net tax paid in the prior fiscal year and dividing it by four, with one-fourth paid on each bill.

Once new values and a new tax rate are certified, the actual tax amount due for the fiscal year is calculated. From this new total amount owed for the year, the total of the preliminary payments is subtracted, and the new net amount due is split between the third and fourth quarter bills. Typically the amounts due on the first and second quarter bills will be the same, and the amounts due on the third and fourth quarter bills will be the same, but all four bills are not usually in the same amount.

8. My property value appears to be a little high, but I'm not sure if I'm over assessed. What should I do?

Visit the Assessor’s Office and ask to see your property record card. Review the card to see if there are any errors, such as lot size, living area, number of baths, etc. If you find errors, make an appointment for a property inspection by the Assessor. The Assessor’s Office is located at:
29 Middle Road
Boxborough, MA 01719

If your data is incorrect, or your valuation is significantly out of line with sales of similar homes, or with the valuations of neighboring properties, you may have just cause for filing an abatement request. When reviewing sales of comparable properties, bear in mind that each fiscal year’s assessment is based on market conditions of at least 18 months prior. For example, property values for Fiscal 2023 are based on sales that occurred during Calendar Year 2021.

9. How do I file for abatement?

An Abatement Request package can be downloaded from here. You can also obtain a hard copy by calling 978-264-1721, or by writing or stopping by the Assessor’s office during regular office hours, 8-4 Mon-Thurs. We are located at:
29 Middle Road
Boxborough, MA 01719

Applications must be received in the Assessor’s office no later than 4:00 pm on February 1st. The Assessor has no legal jurisdiction to act on any application that is received beyond the deadline. The Assessor will review and respond to your abatement request within 90 days of your filing. Please call if you have any questions regarding the Abatement process.

10. If I file an abatement request, do I have to attend a hearing with the Assessor?

No. If you wish to meet with the Assessor regarding your application, you may schedule an appointment; if the facts warrant a change in value, it will be changed, whether you meet with the Assessor or not.

11. What is a revaluation, and when does one occur?

State law requires that all property be assessed at fair market value. As the market changes, property values change. Every five years, the state does a lengthy review of property values and certifies that they meet Department of Revenue requirements. There are usually changes to value during this certification year, but assessors may also update values in the interim years to reflect changes in the real estate market. The next scheduled full revaluation will be Fiscal 2024.

12. Why do some assessments increase more than others after a revaluation?

Some common reasons are:

• Changes to the property data due to additions, updates, or damage due to fire or other disaster. Field reviews of property triggered by building permits, sales, or cyclical inspection can result in changes being made to the record.
• Parcels with acreage for potential additional lots increase more than the average when land prices increase.
• Sales indicate certain neighborhoods or housing styles have had a significant change of desirability

If you have concerns about the change in your assessment, you should contact the Assessor to discuss reasons for the change by calling 978-264-1720 or by emailing the Assessor.

13. If assessed values rise, do taxes have to rise?

No. The Assessor calculates the total assessed value of all taxable property in Boxborough. The tax rate is simply a mathematical equation that divides the amount approved at Town Meeting to be raised through taxation (called the levy), by the total value of taxable property.

For example, if the total taxable value is $800 million, and the approved levy amount is $10 million, the tax rate would be $12.50 per thousand: 10,000,000 divided by 800,000,000 equals 0.0125 times 1000. If your property is valued at $400,000, your tax bill would be $5,000. If values rise the next year by 20%, the total value for the town would be $960 million. Assuming the same levy amount to be raised, the tax rate would drop to $10.42 ($10 million divided by $960 million times 1000). Your new assessed value would be $480,000 with the 20% increase, and your new tax bill would be $480,000 times 0.01042, or $5,000.

14. Does the assessor need to inspect my house?

The State requires that assessors conduct cyclical inspections of all property in order to ensure the accuracy of data used to calculate value. You have the right to refuse entry; however, if the Assessor does not have access to your property, certain aspects that may affect value will be estimated.

15. How do I file for homestead declaration?

The declaration of homestead is a filing that is done at the county level, not local level.   Please visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Homestead Protection Act website.  For more information, visit Homestead FAQs.

To get help filing a declaration of Homestead, Email the Registry Office, or contact:

Maria C. Curtatone
208 Cambridge Street
P.O. Box 68
Cambridge, MA 02141-0068
Phone: 617-679-6310
Fax: 617-494-9083

16. How do I obtain property record cards online?

From town website, click on Web GIS.  Click on Search button and enter parcel number, owner name, or address.  Select the property from the dropdown list.  From the parcel # popup, click on Patriot Property Card under Documents & Links menu.

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1. How, when, and where do I register to vote?

Please visit our Voter Registration Information page.

2. How, when, and where do I vote?

Please visit our How, When, and Where to Vote page.

3. How do I get an absentee ballot?

Please visit our Absentee Voting page.

4. Do I need a Business Certificate (DBA)? How do I obtain one?

Please visit our Business Certificate Information and Application page.

5. How do I obtain a copy of a birth, marriage, or death certificate?

Please visit our Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificates page.

6. How do I obtain a dog license?

Please visit our Dog Licensing page.

7. How do I obtain a marriage license?

Please visit our Marriage Licensing page.

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1. Who must file?

Any person conducting a business under any title (business name) other than the full name of the person conducting the business must file a certificate. A person is defined as an individual, a partnership, or a corporation.

2. Where do I get the application, and how do I file?

You can download a Business Certificate Application (PDF), or you can obtain and file your application at the Town Clerk’s Office, located at:
29 Middle Road
Boxborough, MA 01719

During normal business hours:
Monday through Thursday
8 am to 4 pm

Forms can be signed in person at the Town Clerk’s office, or you can have your application notarized and mailed to the Town Clerk at the previously listed address, along with a check for $20 made out to the Town of Boxborough.

3. Who must sign on behalf of the business?

If the business is owned solely by one person, only that person needs to sign. If it is a partnership of two or more people (but not a formal legal entity), both or all of the "partners" must sign. If it is a legal partnership, any officer who has authority to sign on behalf of the partnership may do so. If it is a corporation, an officer who has signatory authority must sign - which is usually the President, but not always.

All signatures must be made in front of a notary, the Town Clerk, or the Assistant Town Clerk. Do not sign the certificate unless it is in front of one of these three individuals. An individual must be 18 years of age or older to legally sign a business certificate.

4. How long is a business certificate valid?

Business Certificates are valid for a period of four years from the date of its original filing. They must be renewed every four years for as long as the business is being conducted.

5. Does filing a business certificate protect me from others using the same name?

No. The protection of a trademark in Massachusetts is accomplished through the Secretary of State’s Office.

6. What is the fee for filing/renewing a business certificate?

The fee for filing/renewing a business certificate is $20.

7. Must I display the certificate?

The law states that copies of your certificate must be available at the address at which the business is conducted, and shall be produced for inspection upon request during regular business hours to any person who has purchased goods or services from such business.

8. What is the penalty for failure to file a business certificate?

The law states that violations will be punished by a fine of not more than $300 for each month during which the violation continues.

9. Where do I get tax information regarding my business?

The Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) can answer all of your questions regarding collecting sales tax or other tax questions you may have. The Taxpayer Assistance Bureau is open from 8:45 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. The toll free number is 800-392-6089 or 617-887-6367.

You obtain an Federal Employer Identification Number (FID) number from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 800-829-1040 or 617-523-1040.

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1. What do I need to do if my mortgage company pays my taxes?

If a bank or mortgage company escrows your taxes, you must ensure that they make timely payments. Most banks use a tax service that will notify them directly of the amount they need to pay for your taxes. However, if you have recently purchased, refinanced, or have a mortgage company that does not use a tax service, it will be up to you to notify them by forwarding your tax bill to them. Your mortgage company can tell you if you need to send them the bill and where to send it.

2. What happens if I do not pay my bill on time?

The payments must be received in the Collectors office on or before the due date to avoid interest charges. We do not accept postmark or the date on the check. Payments must actually be received in the office to avoid additional charges.

If payment is not made, the account will begin to accrue interest at the rate of 14% per annum, computed from the date the bill was due. A demand notice will be sent sometime after the fourth quarter due date each fiscal year. A demand fee of $10 will be charged against the account in addition to the interest. If the account remains delinquent after June 30th of the fiscal year, a tax lien can be placed on the property and recorded with the Registry of Deeds. A tax lien is the first step in the foreclosure process.

3. What happens if there is an overpayment on my Real Estate Tax?

Overpayments will be applied to the next quarter unless it is the last quarter of the fiscal year. Otherwise refunds are handled as follows.

Real Estate or Personal Property Tax Refunds

A refund check is issued to a taxpayer who has a credit balance on their bill, provided that they supply the Tax Collector with the proper information, and they have no other outstanding taxes due and payable to the Town.

• If the credit was caused by overpayment, a request for refund should be accompanied by a copy of the canceled checks (front and back) for the fiscal year(s) in which the credit(s) exist. If the property has recently been purchased or refinanced, please also include a copy of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Settlement Statement, which lists the details of the taxes paid at the closing. Please include your name, the property address, and the parcel ID with your request and payment information.
• If the credit was caused by abatement, the refund will automatically be issued unless the property has changed hands during the fiscal year. The refund will usually be returned to the record owner. If the property has been sold during the fiscal year to a new owner, the date of transfer (deed date) and the information on the HUD Settlement Statement will determine who is eligible for the refund. If you have any questions, please contact us.

4. What is the "CPA" surcharge on my tax bill?

It is Community Preservation Act. It is used to preserve Open Space, Affordable Housing, and Historic Preservation. It was approved by Town Meeting.

5. What should I do if I recently sold my property, but I am still receiving a tax bill?

If you receive a bill, please forward it to the new owner immediately as it is his/her responsibility to make payment.

6. What should I do in the event I do not receive my bill?

If you do not receive your bill, you should contact the Collector’s Office at 978-264-1715 to request a statement.

7. When are tax bills mailed and payments due?

Bills are mailed four times (July, October, January, and April) per year for Real Estate and Personal Property.

1st Quarter

1st Quarter (Preliminary) pays for July, August, and September.

• Bills Mailed: July 1st
• Bills Due: August 1st

2nd Quarter

2nd Quarter (Preliminary) pays for October, November, and December.

• Bills Mailed: October 1st
• Bills Due: November 1st

3rd Quarter

3rd Quarter (Actual) pays for January, February, and March.

• Bills Mailed: January 1st
• Bills Due: February 1st

4th Quarter

4th Quarter (Actual) pays for April, May, and June.

• Bills Mailed: April 1st
• Bills Due: May 1st

8. Where should I mail my tax payment?

Mail your tax payments to:
Town of Boxborough
29 Middle Road
Boxborough, MA 01719

Please make checks payable to the Town of Boxborough. If you do not have the payment portion of your bill, (remit copy) please include the address of the property for which you are paying, the owner’s name and parcel ID, if known. To obtain a receipt, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope with both the payment, payment coupon, and receipt portion of your bill.

9. Why should I pay interest on a late payment if I never received my bill?

Under state law, Chapter 60, Section 3, failure to receive a bill does not affect the validity of the tax or any interest or fines incurred due to late payment. It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to secure his/her tax bill when one is not received. If you do not receive a bill, you must contact the Collector’s office at 978-264-1715 for a statement. However, you must call before the due date of the bill.

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1. What is a vernal pool?

A vernal pool is a temporary wetland, which fills annually from precipitation, melting snow and rising groundwater. Most years they become completely dry, losing water through evaporation and transpiration. The wet-dry cycle prevents fish populations from establishing but provides a productive, temporary habitat for a wide variety of species including salamanders, frogs and turtles to name a few.

2. Why are vernal pools important?

Vernal pools provide an essential habitat for portions of the life cycles of many species. They are important water sources for wildlife and act as links in the overland passage of amphibians and reptiles. Vernal pools also play a vital role in maintaining both local and global biodiversity. Rare amphibian and reptile species are known to be present in Boxborough’s vernal pools.

3. Why should I have my vernal pool certified?

Certifying a vernal pool with the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program provides the pool, and up to 100 feet beyond its boundary in some cases, certain protection under several local, state and federal laws. These regulations help to eliminate direct impacts to certified vernal pools and to minimize indirect impacts.

If you would like a vernal pool certified on your property, please contact Conservation Commission member David Koonce at 978-263-1052 or by email.