Source: https://ecode360.com/13018238
Timestamp: 2020-01-19 11:41:30
Document Index: 406182738

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 235', '§ 235', '§ 235', '§ 235', '§ 235', '§ 235', '§ 235', '§ 235', 'Art. 33', '§ 15', '§ 235']

Town of Ashland, MA Sewer Betterment Assessment
§ 235-1 Statutory Authority; purpose.
§ 235-2 Assessing Owners; definitions.
§ 235-3 Calculation of per Unit Assessment.
§ 235-4 Calculation of Units for Existing Buildings.
§ 235-5 Calculation of Units for Proposed Buildings.
§ 235-6 Connection Fees.
§ 235-7 Other Fees.
§ 235-8 Authority to Collect Assessments.
Chapter 235 Sewer Betterment Assessment
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Ashland 5-10-2000 ATM by Art. 33. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Water use restrictions — See Ch. 270.
This bylaw is authorized pursuant to § 15 of Chapter 83, MGL and is intended to provide an alternative to the conventional betterment assessments for sewer projects in the Town of Ashland. It shall be applied to all sewer betterment assessments levied after the effective date of the bylaw.
The Town, through its Board of Selectmen acting as the Board of Sewer Commissioners, shall assess owners of land abutting a sewer line installed by the Town by a rate based upon a uniform unit method. Such assessments shall be made regardless of whether an owner makes a connection to the sewer line. As used in this bylaw, the terms "uniform unit method," "sewer unit," "general benefit facilities" and "special benefit facilities" shall have the same meanings as set forth in Section 15 of chapter 83 of the General Laws as from time to time amended (the "Statute").
Whenever the Town constructs sewerage facilities, a betterment assessment shall be levied on properties that receive a benefit from such construction. The betterment assessment per unit shall be calculated by dividing the total cost of the project by the number of existing and potential units. The assessment shall then be apportioned as permitted by the Statute.
Existing sewer units shall be calculated with respect to existing buildings or any building for which a building permit has been issued as follows:
Each single family residence shall be assessed as one sewer unit.
Each dwelling unit in a multiple family building shall be assessed as one sewer unit. As used herein, the term "multiple family building" shall include without limitation apartment houses, complexes, town houses, condominiums and other buildings or groups of buildings containing more than one single family dwelling unit.
Each building not used for residential purposes shall be assessed as the total number of sewer units produced by the following formula:
One sewer unit for the first 10,000 square feet of gross building floor area, or any portion thereof;
One additional sewer unit for each additional 10,000 square feet of gross building floor area, or any portion thereof, up to a maximum of 50,000 square feet; and
One additional sewer unit for each additional 25,000 square feet of gross building floor area or any portion thereof in excess of 50,000 square feet.
Potential sewer units with respect to undeveloped land shall be calculated as set forth in § 235-4 based upon the maximum number and size of buildings that could be built upon such land under the then current zoning bylaw, assuming no further subdivision of such land; provided however, that potential sewer units with respect to land having frontage on the street or way in which the sewer is installed shall be calculated on the basis of the number of lots into which such land could be divided without approval of the Planning Board.
In addition to the betterment assessments provided for in this bylaw, the Town may charge fees for connections made to any sewer line.
In addition to all other betterment assessments and fees provided for in this bylaw, the Town shall charge each owner of a building or dwelling unit using the town sewer system such fees as are in effect from time to time together with the cost of any service work, materials or inspection with respect to connecting lines from the main to the building.
Except as herein provided, the provisions of the General Laws relative to the assessment, apportionment, division re-assessment, abatement, and collection of sewer assessment, division, re-assessment, abatement, and collection of sewer assessments to liens therefor and to interest thereon shall apply to assessments made under this bylaw, and the Tax Collector of the Town shall have all of the powers conveyed by the General Laws.