Dissolving Betterments

Mass General Law Chapter 80 Section 12

A municipality may assess special property taxes upon the property owners of any area of the town that benefits from a public improvement or betterment. This betterment is subsequently recorded as a lien at the Registry of Deeds. Each property receiving the benefit is assessed a proportionate share of the cost, which may be paid in full or apportioned over a period of up to twenty years. If apportioned, it will be added to the third quarter Real Estate tax bill.

Once paid in full, the Treasurer's Office upon written request, will provide a Dissolving Betterment to be recorded at the Registry of Deeds. Please be sure to include a self addressed stamped envelope and payment of the fee.

Dissolving Betterment Fee Schedule

• Each Betterment - $4.00

Obtaining a Certificate

A written request identifying the property address, the book and page from the Registry of Deeds that the lien was recorded on for the requested Dissolving Betterment along with a self-addressed postage paid return envelope and a check made payable to the Town of Needham should be sent to: Needham Tax Collector's Office
Needham Town Hall
1471 Highland Avenue
Needham, MA 02492

Betterment Time Expectancy

State statute allows 10 days to produce the certificate, although generally we get them out within seven days.