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Assessors

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1. What is a revaluation?

A revaluation is an update of all assessments in town conducted under the direction of the Board of Assessors. The Board of Assessors are state certified individuals whose duties are to discover, list, and value all real and personal property in the town, in a uniform and equitable manner. The Board of Assessors are not involved in the collection of property taxes.

2. Why is a revaluation necessary?

State law requires that all property in the town be assessed within ten percent of market value every three years. A revaluation is the most equitable way to accomplish this.

3. When will revaluation start?

The revaluation will begin in January and we expect to complete the work by the middle of November. The resulting values will be effective January 1, 2008. These assessments will be the basis for the tax bill which will be mailed in December 2008.

4. Who will do the revaluation?

Members of the assessor's staff will do the revaluation. They have many years of experience in property assessment and are familiar with the marketplace in town. From time to time it may be necessary to hire some outside help. Primarily they would be utilized in the office for data entry or computer analysis.

5. Will all property values change?

Most likely, yes. However, not all property values will change at the same rate. Market value will have increased more for some neighborhoods and property types than others. Some neighborhoods and property types may have decreased in value and others may have remained the same. One purpose of a revaluation is to make sure that the assessed values reflect the changes that have occurred in property values.

6. What is market value (a.k.a. full and fair cash value)?

State law requires that your property be assessed at market value. Market value is the amount a typical, well informed purchaser would be willing to pay for a property. For a sale to be a market value (arms-length or qualified) sale, the seller and buyer must be unrelated, the seller must be willing (but not under pressure) to buy, the property must be on the market for a reasonable length of time, the payment must be in cash or equivalent, and the financing must be typical for that type of property.

Fair cash value has been determined by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court as ”fair market value” which is the price an owner willing but not under compulsion to sell ought to receive from one willing but not under compulsion to buy. It means the highest price that a normal purchaser not under peculiar compulsion will pay at the time, and cannot exceed the sum that the owner after reasonable effort could obtain for this property. A valuation (price) limited to what the property is worth to the purchaser is not market value. The fair cash value is the value the property would have on January first or any taxable year in the hands of any owner, including the present owner. (Boston Gas Co. v. Assessors of Boston, 334 Mass. 549, 566 (1956).

7. Will I be notified if there is a change in my assessment?

After the Department of Revenue reviews the new values, there will be a public review period. This time will be advertised in the newspaper and on the radio and cable.

8. How will my taxes change as a result of my new assessment?

Although the valuation of your property affects your share of taxes, the actual amount you pay is determined by the budgetary needs of the town. This is decided by what services will be provided in the coming year and the cost to provide these services. The budgets are approved at Town Meeting. Once this decision is made and valuations are certified by the Department of Revenue, a tax rate that will generate the needed tax dollars is then adopted and approved by Department of Revenue. Your individual property taxes are then determined by multiplying your assessment by the tax rate. The tax rate is expressed as dollars per thousand dollars in value. Remember assessments and taxes have seesaw effect. If one goes up the other goes down and vice-versa.

9. Why is my single-family home valued differently than my neighbor’s two family?

Any property or residence must be compared with like properties. As the old saying goes you must compare apples to apples. You should utilize properties that are similar to yours in location, age, style, size, condition and other features that affect market value such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms for comparison purposes.

10. How are assessments determined?

To arrive at “full and fair cash value” for your property the Assessors must analyze what “willing sellers” and “willing buyers” are doing in the marketplace. The assessment date is January first (other than new construction or demolition which is July first) and therefore the Assessors will analyze sales from the prior calendar year to determine the level of assessment in comparison with the market. (Example: January 1, 2014 is the assessment date for Fiscal 2015, therefore the Assessors will analyze calendar year 2013 qualified market sales. These sales do not include family sales, sales to abutters, estate sales, divorce sales etc.). The Assessors will use three appraisal approaches to value: cost, income and market. The data once analyzed, is then correlated to final values for all properties. The analysis must also meet all standards as set forth by the Department of Revenue for certification.

11. How can my assessment change when I haven't done anything to my property?

General economic conditions such as interest rates, inflation rates and changes in the tax laws will influence the value of real estate. As property values change in the marketplace (sales), those changes must be reflected on the assessment roll.

12. What if I refuse to let assessment personnel in my property?

All assessing staff will have an identification card with their picture on it. Our phone number is 259-3024 if you need verification. To ensure accurate assessment it is to your advantage to allow the assessor inside your property when an inspection is required. By denying an inspection, you may lose some rights if you feel the need to appeal your assessment.

13. What if there hasn’t been a recent qualified sale of my property?

The next best evidences are the qualified sales of reasonably comparable properties. These are properties that are similar to your own in location, age, style, size, condition and other features that affect market value such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms.

14. What if there are no reasonable comparable sales?

We will then consider all other factors that may affect the market value of your property. The cost to replace your building(s), less any depreciation, plus the value of the land could be used to extimate market value. For rental properties, the income and expenses could be considered.

15. What will happen to my assessment if I improve my property?

Generally speaking, improvements that increase the market value of a property will increase in assessment. The following examples are typical items that may increase the assessed value of your property.
> added rooms or garage
> substantial modernization of
kitchens or baths
> central air - conditioning
> fireplaces
> extensive remodeling

16. I have recently built my home. Will the actual construction costs be considered?

Your construction cost is a historical figure that may or may not reflect the current market value of your property. It is only on element that will be considered.

17. Will my assessment go up if I repair my property?

Normal maintenance will help retain the market value of your property, but generally will not affect your assessment.

18. Do all assessments change at the same rate?

There are differences between individual properties and between neighborhoods. In one area, the sales may indicate a substantial increase in value in a given year. In another neighborhood, there may be no change, or even a decrease in property value.
Different types of properties within the same neighborhood may also show different value changes. For example: one-story houses may be more in demand than two-story houses or vice versa. Older homes in the same area may be rising in value more slowly than newer homes.

Among the numerous factors to be considered that will cause values to differ are location, condition, size, quality, number of baths, basement, finished garages and many others.

19. Will the person who inspects my property be able to tell me my new assessment?

No. If an inspection is necessay of your property, we have to analyse all of the information we gathered before placing a value on your property. We will than further review this information to ensure that your assessment corresponds fairly to the assessments of other properties

20. What if I don't agree with my assessment?

Talk with an assessor. During an informal public review period you can learn how your assessment was made, what factors were considered and what types of records we have on your property.

21. What if, after the actual bill goes out, I still disagree with the assessment?

You will need to file an abatement application with the Assessing Department by the third quarter bill due date. The Board of Assessors has three months on which to act on your application. They will notify you on an approved Department of Revenue form of their decisions within that time.

22. What evidence do I need to present to the Board of Assessors?

State law puts the burden of proof on the property owner to show that the assessment is incorrect. Stating that property taxes are too high is not relevent. You should establish in your mind what you think your property is worth.

The best evidence that could be considered would be a recent sale price of your property. The next best evidence would be recent sales prices of properties that are similar to yours. The close in similarity and proximity, the better the evidence.

Another type of evidence that could be considered would be recent appraisal of your property.

23. Should I regard the property lines on the Town's maps as a legal record?

No. The property lines depicted on the Town's maps are for planning and tax assessment purposes only. They are not adequate for legal boundary definition, regulatory interpretation, or property conveyance purposes. Legal property boundary descriptions, known as Deeds, are on file with the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds. Hampshire County Registry of Deeds

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Collectors

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1. How do I pay my bill?

Bills may be paid:

•  Using our secure drop box located on the Main Street side of Town Hall (4 Boltwood Ave).
•  Online using our secure online bill paying feature (Pay Bills Online).
•  Via mail (Collector’s Office, 4 Boltwood Ave).
•  On the first floor of Town Hall (4 Boltwood Ave) at our Central Services Counter.

Currently, payments cannot be taken over the phone. 

2. Will the Town notify me when my bill is due?

Alerts for due dates of tax bills can be sent via email and SMS text by signing up on our Notify Me page.  Please note that alerts are for the four quarters of Real Estate and the first commitment sent by the RMV for Excise tax. 

Bills can always be viewed and paid online (Online Bill Pay) or by calling the Treasurer/Collector’s Office at 413-259-3020.

3. What is a fiscal year?

In Massachusetts a fiscal year is a 12-month period starting July 1 and ending June 30.  All Real Estate Tax Bills encompass this time period.  The year is identified by the year of the second six months: ie., July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 is called FY2020. 

The current fiscal year is FY2024 (running from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024).

4. When will I receive a Real Estate Bill?

In Amherst, taxes are paid four times a year: August 1, November 1, February 1, and May 1.  Bills are mailed twice each year—two “preliminary” bills (based on previous year’s tax bill) on, or before, June 30 with due dates of August 1 and November 1; and two “actual” bills (based on the new tax rate) on, or before, December 31 with due dates of February 1 and May 1.  It is your responsibility to remember the second due dates for each mailing.

Massachusetts General Law states that the owner of record on the January 1^st of the preceding fiscal year (1/1/20 for the tax year 7/1/20-6/30/21) must be billed for the tax.  If you purchased your home on February 3, 2020, the bill would be addressed to the person who owned the property on January 1, 2020.  However, you can have the bill addressed to you by notifying the Assessors’ office (413-259-3024) of your name and address.  AS UNREASONABLE AS THIS SEEMS, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TAXES EVEN IF YOU DON’T GET A BILL. 

Bills can always be viewed and paid online (Online Bill Pay).

5. What is an Excise Tax Bill?

Excise Tax is an annual state tax for all residents with a car registered in Massachusetts. Your place of garaging per your registration determines which town your bill is generated from. The tax is levied by the town and the revenues become a part of the town’s receipts. The Registry of Motor Vehicles generates the bills from registration information; values set by the Commissioner of Revenue based upon the manufacturer’s list price in the year of manufacture. The tax is $25.00 per one thousand dollars of valuation.

You are still responsible for the tax and late penalties even if you never receive the bill.  These are state regulations, not policies set by the Town.  Massachusetts law states you must file a change of address with the Registry of Motor Vehicles within 30 days.  If the bill (generated by the Registry) has the wrong address and it is returned undeliverable, late fees are still added.  You must aggressively look for your excise bill. AS UNREASONABLE AS THIS SEEMS, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TAXES EVEN IF YOU DON’T GET A BILL.  

Please visit our Motor Vehicle Excise Tax page or call the Collector’s Office, 413-259-3020, for more information. 

6. What if I receive an Excise Tax Bill on a car I no longer own?

DO NOT IGNORE THE BILL. Please contact the Assessor’s Office at 413-259-3024 for information on filing an Abatement. 

7. When will I receive a Utility (Water/Sewer) Bill?

The Town of Amherst is broken into sections that are read and billed on a quarterly basis.  Not everyone will receive a bill at the same time.  Bills are due 30 days from the date of issue. 

Bills can always be viewed and paid online (Online Bill Pay) or by calling the Treasurer/Collector’s Office at 413-259-3020.

8. Why am I receiving a Utility (Water/Sewer) Bill if I have not used any water?

Residents who have water/sewer meters from the Town of Amherst are billed a minimum charge based on a usage of 3 (300 cubic ft).

9. How do I read my water meter?

Read the 1^st 4 digits left to right.  Your meter is typically located in your basement where the water comes in. It will be a Proread or Neptune meter. Visit our How to Read Your Water Meter page for more information. 

10. How do I schedule a Final Utility (Water/Sewer) Read?

Usually a final water reading is done when the property is sold and the bill is settled at closing. The account is then changed into the new owner’s name. Contact the Treasurer/Collector’s office if the address for the bill differs from the property address, 413-259-3020.

IF YOU ARE A LAWYER OR REALTOR AND REQUIRE A FINAL WATER READING, PLEASE CALL 413-259-3050, EXT. 0

11. Can a Utility (Water/Sewer) Bill be put in a tenant's name?

The Town of Amherst does not establish accounts in tenant’s names. This policy is in place as any outstanding utility charges can be lien to the Actual Real Estate Tax Bill. All Utility Bills are ultimately the property owner’s responsibility.

12. Can a property owner bill a tenant directly for water?

This website outlines who pays for water and the criteria: www.masslegalhelp.org/housing.

13. Does the Town offer Automatic Bill Paying?

The Town offers a Direct Debit program for residents to enroll in automatic bill paying through their bank account.  There is no fee to enroll in this program, however, we recommend checking with your banking institute before signing up.  Any bills due prior to enrollment must be paid conventionally and will not be taken via direct debit. 

Please visit our Direct Debit Enrollment page to view the instructions for enrollment as well as our application for enrollment.  If you have any questions, please reach out to our Treasurer/Collector office at 413-259-3020.

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College Voting Information

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1. What are the Official Election Websites?

• More election information at http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/
• Online voter registration available at www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/
• Amherst MA voter information available at www.amherstma.gov/vote 

2. Should I Register at School or Home?

Students have a choice about where to register to vote. Students attending college may register at their campus address or choose to remain registered or register at their permanent or home address. You may only be registered to vote in one location. 

Register Online: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/

Visit Amherst Town Clerk: 1st Floor Town Hall at 4 Boltwood Avenue in Downtown Amherst M-F 8:00 am - 4:30 pm - Map

3. How Do I Register?

Online: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/

By Mail: If you do not qualify to register to vote online, or if you would prefer to register by mail, you may download the voter registration form by using the link provided in the box to the right. The form must be completed, signed, and delivered to your local election official. Voter registration forms submitted by mail must be postmarked no later than the voter registration deadline. 

In-person: Amherst Town Clerk's Office on 1st Floor of Town Hall at 4 Boltwood Avenue, Amherst MA. 01002 M-F 8:00 am - 4:30 pm - Map

4. What type of ID Do I Need to Register?

Massachusetts’ paper voter registration form asks for your Massachusetts driver’s license or ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security Number. Be sure to provide one of these numbers if you have it. To complete your voter registration online, you must have a Massachusetts-issued driver’s license or non-driver ID. 

5. What Type of ID Do I Need to Vote?

You need to present ID when voting in person, or mail a copy of your ID when voting by mail, if any of the following apply to you:

• You are a first-time voter
• You are an inactive voter
• You are casting a provisional or challenged ballot
• The poll worker has a reasonable suspicion that leads them to ask for your ID

Acceptable forms of ID include a Massachusetts driver’s license or state ID card, recent utility bill, rent receipt, lease, copy of a voter registration affidavit, or any other printed identification that has your name and address. If you cannot show ID, you have the right to cast a provisional ballot.

6. Where Do I Vote?

Make a plan ahead of time. Confirm your voter registration status by visiting www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus

Look up your polling location and hours at www.sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA 

7. How Can I Vote?

By Mail / Absentee

• If you are a registered Massachusetts voter, you may vote absentee if you will be absent from your town or city on Election Day, have a physical disability that prevents you from voting at the polling place, or you cannot vote at the polls because of your religious beliefs.
• Absentee ballots must be requested in writing. The application can be found at the State's Election Website and mailed or hand-delivered to your city or town hall. The deadline for absentee voting is 12:00 PM Noon the day before the election (except for the September 4th State Primary/Town Preliminary where the deadline will be August 31, 2018 by 5:00 PM due the Labor Day Holiday. More information can be found on our Absentee Ballot page
• Completed ballots must be received before the polls close.

Early In-person

• No excuse is required to vote early in-person. Early voting locations differ from your assigned Election Day voting location, so check with your local elections office for times and locations.
• More information coming soon.

Election Day

• Voting sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for statewide elections, but some municipalities can open earlier. Contact your local clerk to verify polling hours. If you are in line by the time polls close, you will be allowed to vote.
• If you decide to vote at the polls after receiving an absentee ballot, you must go to your local clerk, who will issue a certificate permitting you to vote in person.

8. Will registering to vote in Massachusetts affect my driver’s license or car registration?

Registering to vote in Massachusetts makes you a resident for the purposes of your driver’s license and vehicle registration. If you drive your vehicle in Massachusetts, you have 30 days from when you register to vote to register your vehicle and get a Massachusetts driver’s license. For more information, contact the Massachusetts Department of Motor Vehicles.

9. Registering to Vote Does Not Affect Your...

• Federal Financial Aid
  • Where you register to vote will not affect federal financial aid such as Pell Grants, Perkins or Stafford loans, or your dependency status for FAFSA
• Status as a Dependent on Your Parents’ Taxes
  • Being registered to vote at a different address from your parents does not prevent them from claiming you as a dependent on their taxes
• Tuition Status
  • Being deemed out-of-state for tuition purposes does not prevent you from choosing to register to vote in your campus community

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Community Responders (CRESS)

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1. How can I get in touch with CRESS?

CRESS office phone numbers and office walk-ins. CRESS Responders can also self-deploy and initiate community interactions. 

2. What types of calls will CRESS respond to?

Non-violent emergency calls such as: wellness checks, mental health calls, non-violent school calls, non-trespassed vagrancy, community engagement, public safety assist, and citizen assist.  

3. How does CRESS deploy?

Responders can deploy either in a town vehicle or on foot.   

4. How many CRESS Responders are there?

We have eight responders, with four teams of two.

5. Why isn't CRESS 24 hours?

The vast majority of CRESS eligible calls occur roughly between 8am to 8pm Monday-Saturday, so this is where resources will be focused. It also helps with safety, as calls past midnight can potentially lead to increased safety issues.

6. Where does CRESS operate?

CRESS currently only responds to calls within the Town of Amherst or calls relating to Amherst residents.

7. How do CRESS Responders stay safe while deployed?

CRESS values safety above all else, and as a result follows closely with the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) Report and its section on “Responder Safety” on pages nine and ten.

8. Why is the uniform grey?

Grey to be distinct from the Police Department and Fire Department, as well as serving as a metaphor for the work we do, which is historically in the grey area in public safety.

9. Where does CRESS get its funding from?

We are funded out of the Town of Amherst budget, as a full department under the public safety spending umbrella. We also receive state and federal grants to provide resources and expand our training programs.

10. What is CRESS’s relationship with Amherst Police and Amherst Fire?

CRESS is a fellow department under Public Safety, along with the Police Department, Fire Department, and Dispatch.

11. What type of training do CRESS Responders receive?

Responders have received training from the Wildflower Alliance in fields such as suicide and people who hear voices, as well as Motivational Interviewing, Situational Awareness, and CPR training from various instructors and experts.

12. Are there other programs like this elsewhere?

Yes, a few similar programs and departments are: Durham, NC Community Response Teams (CRT), Denver, CO Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) Program, Eugene, OR CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets).

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Cost of the New Elementary School

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1. What is the estimated total cost of the new elementary school?

Construction and equipping of the new elementary school is estimated to cost a total of $99.2 million including the feasibility study. This figure derives from two independent cost estimators that each projected the cost of the new building and then met to reconcile any differences between their two estimates and arrived at a single cost estimate. The estimated cost of the project includes contingencies for future cost escalation.

2. Is the Town getting any grant money to reduce the cost to the Town?

Yes, the Town has been accepted into the selective Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) program and the MSBA is providing a maximum facility grant to the Town to reduce the cost to the Town, projected to be $40.5 million. The Town’s share of the cost of the new elementary school is projected to be $58.8 million before applying any other funding sources.

3. What else is the Town doing to reduce the cost?

The Town has aggressively sought ways to reduce the impact of the project on taxpayers. 

Early on, the square footage of the building was reduced by approximately 8,000 while still providing adequate space for all of the educational programs. This reduction is significant given estimated construction costs per square foot in the $800 range.

Next, the Elementary School Building Committee (ESBC) reviewed project costs and identified over $5 million of cost saving measures from the initial estimate. 

The Town has partnered with Eversource to generate a maximum of $1.6 million of energy incentives/rebates and the Town Council has approved a Community Preservation Act grant in the amount of $700,000 to offset the cost of the fields.

Town officials worked with its State Legislators to advocate for an increase to the grant from the MSBA. These efforts resulted in over $3 million of additional grant funding.

Most recently on April 3, 2023; the Town Council voted to appropriate $5 million from its Capital Stabilization Fund to reduce the impact of the debt exclusion on tax payers.

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Debt Exclusion Information

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1. What is Proposition 2 ½ and what is a Debt Exclusion?

Proposition 2 ½ refers to a Massachusetts law enacted in 1980 that limits the amount of property tax revenue a community can raise through real and personal property taxes. The amount actually raised is technically called the “Tax Levy.” The maximum amount a community can levy in any given year is called the “Levy Limit.” Proposition 2 ½ limits how much the Levy Limit can be increased from year to year.

Under Proposition 2 ½, a community’s levy limit increases annually by two factors:

1) an incremental increase of 2.5% of the prior year’s Levy Limit (hence the name “Proposition 2 ½”), and

2) a dollar amount derived from the value of new construction and other growth in the local tax base since the previous year, referred to as “New Growth.”

Notably, the restriction on raising taxes more than 2.5% is based upon the prior year’s Levy Limit, rather than on the prior year’s Tax Levy. Thus, if in a particular year the Town assesses taxes below the Levy Limit, the next year, the Levy Limit will still rise by 2.5% and new growth over the prior year. In that case, it is possible that taxes may increase more than 2.5 %. A common misconception is that Proposition 2 ½ restricts the amount an individual’s property tax bill can increase.

A community can exceed its Levy Limit for limited reasons and only with voter approval. One such reason, called a Debt Exclusion, allows a municipality to raise funds outside the Levy Limit for the limited period of time needed to repay the debt and interest on a loan for a particular capital purpose.

In our case, the Debt Exclusion would allow funds to be used to repay a loan for the costs of constructing a new elementary school to replace two older schools. The additional amount would be raised outside of the Levy Limit for the life of the debt only. Stated differently, Debt Exclusions do not become part of the base used to calculate the annual 2.5 % increase in the Town’s Levy Limit. Instead, the increase is temporary and lasts only for the life of the bonds.

2. What are we voting for?

In essence, a new elementary school. Technically, we are voting on whether to authorize the Town to raise the amount needed, outside of the Levy Limit, to make principal and interest payments on a 30 year loan. Each year, the Town would add to the total amount of the Tax Levy the specific amounts needed for that year to pay the annual principal and interest payment. If no debt exclusion were used, the Town would need to absorb the costs of those annual payments within the Levy Limit. Based upon the size of the project, it is the Town’s position that raising such funds within the Levy would limit the availability of funds for Town operations and other projects. 

A “YES” vote would allow the Town to levy the additional taxes needed to repay the money it borrows to construct a new elementary school. 

A “NO” vote would not allow the Town to levy additional taxes to construct a new elementary school.

3. When is the election?

The election date is Tuesday, May 2, 2023, with voting hours from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM at all of the Town’s voting locations. 

Please visit the Elections page or contact the Town Clerk's office for more information about the election.

4. How much will the debt exclusion increase my taxes?

The estimated annual impact of the debt exclusion is $1.01 per $1,000 of assessed property value. It is estimated that the annual impact of the debt exclusion on the FY 2023 average single family residence in Amherst, valued at $446,953, is $451 ($446,953 / $1,000 X $1.01). These estimates are based on current economic conditions and are, of course, subject to change if economic conditions, such as interest rates, change.

NOTE: The estimated impact above is for a property assessed at $446,953. Properties with lower assessed value will see a lower impact while properties with a higher assessed value will see a higher impact. Please use the tool above to find your specific property.

5. When will I start to see higher taxes and when will it end?

The increase to taxes is estimated to begin in 2025 and terminate by 2056. The increase in the first few years will be lower as the building is under construction and will reach its peak level in 2029.

6. What will happen if the debt exclusion does not pass?

The Town will not be able to proceed with building a new elementary school as trying to fund the cost of the project within the Levy Limit will significantly reduce the amounts available for Town operations and other projects. In addition, the plan to renovate or replace the Fire Station, Jones Library, and Public Works facility will need to be reevaluated. One potential outcome is that the Town will need to invest in temporary repairs to the existing buildings which are aging and in poor condition.

7. Can the Town use the additional funding from the debt exclusion for anything other than repaying the money borrowed to build the new elementary school?

No, the Town can only levy additional taxes to repay the debt for the new elementary school.

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General

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1. What forms of payment does the Town accept?

The Town of Amherst accepts cash, check, money order and can also be setup with direct debit. Payment Options

2. Where can I get more information on recycling?

For more information on recycling, please view our

Recycling page

3. Am I registered to vote in the Town of Amherst?

Visit the voter information section of our site.

4. What watershed is Amherst in?

Amherst is in the Connecticut River Watershed.

5. Can I see all of the frequently asked questions on this site?

A list of all Frequently Asked Questions is available at www.amherstma.gov/faq

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General Questions

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1. Why are our taxes so high?

Amherst has a unique challenge. It has approximately 40,000 residents but only about half live on taxable property because of the tax-exempt nature of the colleges and University. The Town provides infrastructure, roads, sidewalks, recreational facilities, public safety services and more to all of these residents but does not get an equivalent amount of tax money. This puts more stress on the Town’s operating budget and its taxpayers.

Town officials are advocating to its State Legislators to reevaluate the State’s Payment in Lieu of Tax Program (PILOT) and specifically to examine the impacts of State Owned Land on Amherst.

2. I can’t afford to pay more taxes. How can the Town help?

Town officials continue to seek additional funding sources, such as private donations and tax credit payments related to the Inflation Reduction Act legislation, to further reduce the impact of the debt exclusion.

There are several tax relief and exemption programs in place for the following groups of taxpayers that qualify:

o Seniors

o Legally Blind Individuals

o Veterans

o Surviving Spouses

o Minor Children of Deceased Parents

o Individuals Experiencing a Financial Hardship

For more information on these programs, please visit https://www.amherstma.gov/106/Exemptions

The Town also offers a tax work off program for qualifying seniors. More information on this program can be found here: https://www.amherstma.gov/586/Tax-Work-Off-Plan

3. It seems like the Town is taking on a lot right now. Why?

The Town has not addressed any of its aging facilities over the past 30 years and several facilities are currently being considered for replacement or renovation. Town officials are working to tackle this challenge now, as delays will result in higher project costs.

4. What is the Town’s budget and why does it need additional funding for the elementary school?

The Town’s budget was $90 million in FY23, and it includes several millions of dollars for capital improvements. These funds go towards road repairs, new sidewalks, small facility projects, vehicle replacements, technology equipment, sustainability improvements, etc.

The Town is planning to use funds within the existing budget to repay the money borrowed for renovation of the Jones Library, new Fire Station in South Amherst, and the Public Works facility. It is not anticipated that these projects will require a debt exclusion as the Town intends to fund these projects within the Town’s Levy Limit.

5. What has the Town done to make sure they are stretching every tax dollar as far as possible?

The Town is planning to replace three buildings within the Levy Limit and without any additional taxes from a debt exclusion (library, fire, DPW). The plan has been in place for several years and requires maximizing funds available for capital improvements, operating as efficiently as possible, and building up reserves. One goal of the school building project is to use tax dollars more efficiently by leveraging economies of scale that come from operating two elementary schools rather than three.

6. The Town has free cash and stabilization funds. Why not use these funds to reduce the cost of the new elementary school?

These funds generally fall into two buckets: 1) rainy day funds and 2) capital funds. Rainy day funds are needed to protect the Town against economic downturns or unanticipated emergency expenditures. These funds help the Town maintain a strong bond rating which in turn results in a better interest rate when it goes out to borrow funds. Town officials do not advise using any of the rainy day funds.

Town officials are building up capital funds to pay for a new fire station. By using capital funds for the fire station, the Town will not need to borrow money and will save millions in interest costs. If these funds were used for the new elementary school, the new fire station would be delayed unless the funding was handled differently.

UPDATE: On April 3, 2023; the Town Council voted to appropriate $5 million from its Capital Stabilization Fund to reduce the impact of the debt exclusion on tax payers. The Town will seek to replenish this appropriation from the Capital Stabilization Fund by pursuing new federal tax credit payments for energy efficiency improvements at the proposed new elementary school.

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Notarizations

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1. Why are documents notarized?

To deter fraud. As an impartial witness, the Notary ensures that the signers of documents are who they say they are and not impostors. The Notary makes sure that the signers have entered into agreements knowingly and willingly.

2. May any documents be notarized?

No.  A notary may not provide services for real estate closing documents unless the notary is also a licensed attorney.

3. Is notarization required by law?

For many documents, yes. Certain affidavits, real estate deeds, and other documents may not be legally binding unless they are properly notarized.

4. How does a Notary identify a signer?

Generally, the Notary will ask to see a current identification document that has a photograph, physical description, and a signature. A driver’s license, military ID, or passport will usually be acceptable.  Your identification must be current and not expired.

5. Does notarization mean that a document is "true" or "legal?"

No. Notaries are not responsible for the accuracy or legality of documents they notarize. Notaries verify the identity of signers. The signers are responsible for the content of the documents.

6. May a Notary give legal advice or draft legal documents?

Absolutely not. A notary is forbidden from preparing legal documents for others or acting as a legal advisor unless he or she is also an attorney.

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Parking Management

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1. Is long-term parking available in the center of Town?

Yes! Please view the map located on the parking homepage to see all parking locations and enforcement hours. The North Pleasant Street lot near CVS has an 8-hour limit. Several other lots allow 4-hour parking. See the Parking Maps page for more details.

2. Is there an App to pay for parking?

Yes, the Town has partnered with ParkMobile for making paying for parking as quick and easy as possible. Click here to find out more information.

3. What do I do if the App or Payment Kiosks are not working?

Contact Parking Administration at 413-259-3020

4. When is free parking available?

Free parking is offered all day Sunday and anytime outside of enforcement hours. Enforcement hours can be found on the parking homepage. Anyone can park for free in areas designated as Town of Amherst Permit Parking between 5 PM and 8 AM and on Sundays. These permit areas can be found here. Parking is also free on the holidays listed below:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Jr Day
• Presidents Day
• Patriots Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Indigenous Peoples Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day

Please be mindful of posted time limits or other posted parking restrictions such as handicapped parking spaces, loading zones, etc.

5. Do I have to pay for parking while charging my electric car?

Yes, parking fees still apply.

6. How can I be notified if there is a parking ban in effect?

1. Watch for the flashing blue lights over busy intersections in Town. 

2. Visit our website, www.amherstma.gov, to stay up-to-date on the latest announcements, news flashes and alerts. 

3. Follow us on Social Media (Facebook & Twitter).

4. Sign up for Emergency Parking Alerts in your language of choice by clicking here or simply text the word Parking to 38276 from your mobile device for a quick sign-up option.

For questions, please reach out to Parking Administration at 413-259-3020.

7. Where do I pay parking violations?

• Fines can be paid on the first floor of Town Hall (4 Boltwood Ave) at our Central Services Counter.
• Fines can be paid by using the Collector’s drop box, which is a secure box located on the Main Street side of Town Hall.
• Fines can be paid via the mail (addressed to Collector’s Office, 4 Boltwood Ave).
• Fines can be paid using our secure online bill paying feature (Pay Bills Online).

8. How do I get information on old outstanding parking violations?

Information on old outstanding parking violations can be obtained by calling Parking Administration at 413-259-3020.

9. Can I appeal a parking violation?

Yes, everyone has 21 days from date of ticket violation to either pay or appeal the parking violation. Appeals must be submitted to our office in writing and can be made via:

•   By mailing in a detailed statement on why the parking violation is being appealed (Parking Administration, 4 Boltwood Ave).
•   Using our online Parking Ticket Appeal form here.
•   By email (parking@amherstma.gov) including a detailed statement on why the parking violation is being appealed. 

Parking Appeals cannot be made via the telephone. 

10. What happens if I don’t pay or appeal a parking violation within the twenty one (21) days?

Per Massachusetts Law Chapter 90, section 20A-20E, all tickets must be paid within 21 days. A $15.00 late fee is added on the 22nd day. If your ticket remains unpaid, your license and/or registration may be marked for nonrenewal with the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

11. My vehicle was towed last night; who do I contact in order to find out where my car is?

Contact the Amherst Police Department at (413) 259-3000.

12. Are permits available for those who live or work in Downtown Amherst?

Yes, permits are available for those who live or work in Downtown Amherst. Permits are available for purchase , If you are interested in obtaining a parking permit, please visit our Permit Parking page for more information. 

Permitted Parking is marked Downtown Amherst by blue signs. Permit season runs from September 1st - May 31st.  

13. Where can I try parking if I am having trouble finding a spot?

The North Pleasant Street lot and Ann Whalen lot (behind Ann Whalen Apartments against the fence) are often under utilized and may be a good location to check if you are having difficulty finding parking.