FAQs

Board of Assessors FAQs

  • Real Estate Tax Exemptions
  • The following is a summary of the various real estate exemption programs and the basic qualification requirements.

    Clause Description Amount of Abatement
    17D 70 years or older, or surviving spouse, and occupied domicile for 5 years with moderate financial means. $175
    41C 65 years or older as of July 1, and occupied domicile for 5 years with limited financial means.  $1,000
    22 Veterans with war connected disability $400
    22E Veterans 100% disabled $1,000
    37 A blind person $500.00
    18 Person unable to pay taxes due to age, infirmity and poverty variable


    The above provides very basic qualification requirements. For more detailed information and to obtain the necessary applications, please contact the Board of Assessors.

    Web Site: www.state.ma.us/sec/cis/cisptx/ptxidx.htm

  • What is Personal Property Tax?
  • The personal property tax is a relict of the colonial era, when the number of goats, swine, and neat cattle owned was a valid measure of a person’s wealth. Today it is often a source of confusion and resentment. However, the law is still on the books, and the Assessors are required to collect property data and bill for qualified property.

    Determining what property is subject to the personal property tax is confusing. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue defines personal property as "...goods, material objects and other things capable of ownership, which are not so firmly attached to, or specially designed for, real estate as to become part of the real estate ..."

    However, there are numerous exemptions to the tax. The most significant are:

    • Household furnishings and effects at the person’s domicile;
    • Wearing apparel;
    • Motor vehicles, trailers, and boats subject to the Excise Tax;
    • Farming utensils (hand tools; simple, inexpensive farm equipment such as manure spreaders are specifically noted here)
    • Tools of trade of a mechanic (also includes instruments of a plumber, carpenter, or other tradesman)

    So what’s left? Typical items Leverett taxpayers need to report are:

    • Merchandise and stock in trade. Goods and wares for sale, whether in a store or any other place for sale, on consignment, or in storage or a warehouse;
    • Business and professional office furnishings, fixtures, and equipment; computers and other office equipment if used in a business; medical and dental office equipment; professional libraries;
    • Animals ( any creature that might reside in a barn, coop, pen or paddock is taxable);
    • Farm machinery (unless exempted above);
    • Unregistered motor vehicles & trailers (includes tractors, snowmobiles, golf carts and all other unregistered vehicles);
    • Household furnishings not situated in the owner’s primary residence, i.e. furnishings of second homes. (Please file Form 2HF.)

    Personal property subject to taxation must be reported to the assessors on State Tax Form 2, known as the Form of List. In recent years, the Assessors have included a Form of List with every copy of the February Newsletter. Last year 89 forms were returned, 81 of which were marked "same as last year" or "none." To reduce this waste of paper and time, we are not sending a form to all households, but instead are mailing them to taxpayers who have been subject to the tax in past years, or we believe might have taxable property. Any taxpayer who believes (s)he is subject to the tax and does not receive a Form 1 should contact the Assessors office for a copy.


    548-4945

Building Permit Guidelines

Franklin County Cooperative Inspection Program - FRCOGFRCOG

https://frcog.org/program-services/franklin-county-cooperative-inspection-program/

The Franklin County Cooperative Inspection Program (FCCIP) is a cooperative inspection program set up in 1975 to enable small towns to collaborate and share inspection and zoning responsibilities. The intent was to provide a full-time staff that may better serve towns than part-time inspectors.

  • Buiding Inspections and Permits

Building Permits and Information

  • Building in Leverett Checklist
  • I.  SO YOU WANT TO BUILD OR MAKE CHANGES TO YOUR EXISTING HOME IN LEVERETT

    Save yourself time, money and frustration. 
    State  and/or Town regulations and bylaws require building permits for construction or adding on to any kind of building, installing or repairing a septic system, creating new lots, constructing a well and cutting trees or altering a stone wall along any road.

    Before you: Get approval from: 
    Build a new structure,          
    Add on to an existing structure, 
    Install Chimney, Fire Place,     
    Replacement Windows,             
    New Roof or Siding
                   
    Franklin County
    Building Inspector
    772-2026
    772-2027
    Install, repair, replace, or expand a sewage disposal system; 
    drill or dig a well     

                  
    Board of Health 
    548-1022 x1     
    Divide up lots along an existing road or subdivide land by creating new roads  
                           
    Planning Board 
    548-9477  
    Cut a tree or alter a stone wall along any road (except Route 63)
     
    Planning Board
    548-9477   
    Build a driveway Highway Superintendent
     548-9400
    Do any work near a wetland, swamp, brook, lake, marsh, or vernal pool  Conservation
    548-1022 x3

    II.  BUILDING ON AN APPROVED LOT    

    Your lot is approved if:

    • It is registered at the Registry of Deeds; you are not subdividing an existing lot.
    • It is on a public way or an approved subdivision road.
    • It matches the dimensional standards of the Zoning Bylaws for the Zoning District in which it is located.
    • You wish to build a structure, which is permitted by the Zoning Bylaw for your Zoning District.


    III.  YOU CANNOT BEGIN CONSTRUCTION  WITHOUT A PERMIT

    1.  To obtain Building Permit application call the Franklin County Building Inspector, Greenfield (772-2026) or go to www.fccip.org
    2.  Seek appropriate approvals:

    • For soil analysis, perc test, and sewage disposal system design:
      Board of Health (548-1022 x1)
    • For certification of potable water:
      Board of Health (548-1022 x1)
    • For driveway permit: 
      Highway Superintendent (548-9400)                                                                                                                                                                   
    • For smoke detector approval:
      Fire Chief (548-9225)
    • For Order of Conditions if wetlands are involved:  
      Contact the Conservation Commission.
      Conservation Commission (548-1022x3) sign-off is required prior to Board of Health sign-off on Building Permit application.
    • For scenic roads permit if tree cutting or stonewall  alteration along road is involved:
      Planning Board  (548-9477)

    3. Finalize application and submit to:

    • Franklin County Cooperative Building Inspector Program
      Courthouse 
      425 Main Street 
      Greenfield, Ma. 01301

    4. Building Inspector renders a decision.
      a.   If approved:
            Building permit will be sent to the Town Hall where it may be obtained upon payment of the required fee during regular Town hall hours.
       b.  If denied:
            Correct the problems or appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

     

     

Burn Permits

  • Online Burning Permit App
  • Online Application for Open Burning Permits
    Franklin County, Massachusetts

    Introduction

    Massachusetts allows residents to burn brush between January 15 and May 1, depending on weather conditions. You must obtain permission from the town or fire district in which you plan to burn brush. Many towns in Franklin County offer burning permits through this system. The permits are free of charge, but availability depends on weather conditions.

    Please read the information below, then click here to apply for a permit.

    Regulations

    • You may only burn BRUSH! All other materials are illegal. No leaves, grass, hay, stumps, building debris or any other materials are allowed to be burned.
    • All open burning must be a minimum of 75 feet from buildings or structures.
    • Burning will be allowed to start at 10:00am and must be extinguished by 4pm.
    • Any open fire must be attended at all times by the permit holder.
    • No person shall set, maintain or increase a fire in open air at any time except by permission.
    • You must be 18 years or older to apply for permit and/or set, maintain or increase fire once permission has been granted by the Fire Department.
    • You must have an appropriate means to extinguish an open air fire completely at the end of the day or if requested by the Fire Department.
    • The Fire Department can refuse or cancel a permit at any time. (Example: Violation of permit regulations, or change in weather conditions.)
    • Open burning season is January 15 - May 1.
    • Massachusetts Regulation 310 CMR: DEP 7.07 "Open Burning"
    • More information from the Massachusetts DEP.

    How to obtain a permit

    For most towns in Franklin County

    Obtain a permit online using this system. Permits are available during the burning season, subject to weather conditions.

    You must have internet access and a valid email address to use this system.

Code of Town of Leverett

LeverettNet FAQ

Select Board Policies

Town Clerk

  • Marriage License
  • Marriage Licenses in Massachusetts

    The legal age to marry in Massachusetts is 18 (M.G.L. ch. 207, s. 33A). All people who marry in the state must have a marriage license issued in Massachusetts by any city or town clerk (M.G.L. ch. 207, s. 28).

    Proper identification is necessary. You may be required to show a certified birth certificate.

    Marriage licenses are issued from any Massachusetts city or town hall. 

    Marriage licenses require a 3-day waiting period from the time you fill out the application and the time the license can be picked up and are valid for 6 months. You must come with your partner to fill out a marriage license application.

    Contact Town Clerk 413-548-9150 with questions.

    click here: Massachusetts Marriage License Info

    You may also call Citizen Information Service at 617-727-7030 or 800-392-6090 for additional information.

Transfer Station FAQs

  • **Where is the Transfer Station located?**
  • The entrance gate is next to the Cemetery.
    Vehicles should display a current sticker in front of the rear view mirror. 

    get directions

Calendar of Events
MLP Meeting -- SCHEDULED
Fri, Oct 6, 2023, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
town hall and remote
Posted to: Leverett MLP
Select Board -- SCHEDULED
Tue, Oct 10, 2023, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Town Hall
Posted to: Select Board
Historical Commission -- SCHEDULED
Mon, Oct 16, 2023, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Town Hall & online: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85720560676?pwd=bThuajB1LzFWTG9ndU51WUhGZks1QT09
Tue, Oct 17, 2023, 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Town Hall First Floor
Posted to: Planning Board
Council on Aging -- SCHEDULED
Fri, Oct 20, 2023, 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Town Hall
Posted to: Council on Aging
Mon, Oct 23, 2023, 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Zoom
Latest News
The Friends of Leverett Pond have rescheduled an Eco-Harvester ™ to be on Leverett Pond for September 12-14 to help control invasive aquatic plants.
The Town of Leverett is looking for a Custodian and an Animal Control Officer
Interested, please call the Town Hall at 413-548-9150 or email selectboard@leverett.ma.us or the Leverett Police Department at 413-549-4994.