Frequently Asked Questions

No, fortunately, lead was not used for water service lines in Mendon. There are also no galvanized steel service lines. All service line materials used in Mendon are copper or plastic (HDPE). Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. We would be happy to schedule an appointment to confirm your service line material.

By revising state and federal policies, Mendon has completed an inventory of our service lines. Our inventory was filed with MA DEP on 10/16/24 as required, along with a certification that Mendon does not have any lead service lines.

Our inventory was compiled with a detailed review of our records and historical information, as well as physical inspection of our services. As of 10/16/24, we have completed a field verification of 38% of our service lines. We will continue to conduct inspections until we have field verified all of our service connections.

Records Review

The Mendon water system started in 1946. A review of the 1946 plans and specifications for the initial build-out and the 1956 contract for an expansion both confirm the use of a 3⁄4-inch Type K water service line. An analysis of tie-cards, applications for service, and Assessor's property records was used to establish dates for each connection to the system. Mendon initially was supplied by Bellingham and worked closely with them from 1947 until 1961. We consulted with Bellingham, and they confirmed that Bellingham did not use lead in their system. From 1961 through 2005, Mendon received water and worked very closely with the Milford Water Company (now the Town of Milford). We consulted with them as well and learned they did use lead when they started in the 1880s, but it was phased out in the mid-1900s, and no longer in use at the time Mendon switched over. There were 39 new connections between the 1956 expansion and 1986. 26 of those were part of a subdivision that used HDPE service lines. Of the remaining 13, there is no evidence of lead being used in a review of tie cards and other records. 5 of the 13 have been field verified, and we will prioritize inspections of these remaining 8 properties to confirm. Of the 12 remaining unknown lines in our inventory, 3 were installed after 1986, and the remaining 9 are either copper or HDPE, as noted in the comments section.

Field Verification

We began inspecting and documenting service line materials during water meter replacements starting in 2015 and during final readings starting in 2018. So far, we've been able to verify 61 (38%) of the 161 service lines in the inventory. Several lines in each section/subdivision have been verified to confirm the validity of the records review. The few remaining unknown lines are either plastic or copper, as noted in the comments section.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. We would be happy to schedule an appointment to confirm your service line material.

Visit the MA DEP Lead in Drinking Water Resource Site

Related Documents

• LSL - Mendon Water (2179000) Non-Lead Statement (PDF)
• LSL - Mendon Town Hall Campus (2179027) Non-Lead Statement (PDF)
• Mendon Water (2179000) - Service Line Inventory (PDF)

To request a final reading, email the Water Commission or phone 508-473-2547. Please allow at least one week for final readings. We will make every effort to accommodate your request for a final reading ASAP, but please keep in mind our staff is part-time.

There is a $25 fee for final readings outside the regular billing schedule. For less than 7 days' notice, the fee is $50. This fee will be included in the final bill. Capital fees will be prorated.

Town water is available for a very limited number of properties in Mendon near Route 140 and Route 16. Properties are limited because a small water system was constructed in the 1940's but due to a lack of funding and support was never expanded beyond these areas. The number of available connections is capped by several contracts with the Town of Hopedale, and there is no availability for expansion at this time.

In general, new services are not available due to contract limitations. Conversions from residential use to commercial use are also prohibited. Please contact us before buying or selling a property to confirm the status and availability of water.

Town water is available to some properties on the following streets and billed by the Mendon Water Commission:

• Cape Road (1-62)
• Hartford Avenue E (143-159, 95, and 97 only)
• Mill River Drive
• Edward Road
• Bates Street
• Joseph Road
• Talbott Farm Drive
• Parker Road
• Dudley Road

There are 24 properties along Milford St, near the Hopedale town line, on Town water service due to a special agreement and are billed directly by the Town of Hopedale:

• Milford Street (20 lots)
• Harrington Street (6 and 8)
• Eight Rod Road (4 and 8)

Three properties are serviced directly by Bellingham Town Water, also by special agreement.

• 57 Bates Street
• 75 Cape Road
• 82 Cape Road

Please contact the Water Commission with all billing inquiries. If you believe there is a problem with your meter or your bill, please contact us ASAP. Email is the best way to reach us for the fastest response. Please note that along with 14% interest, there is a $25 late fee for bills past due, and an additional $50 penalty fee for bills 16 days past due.

Water Bills can be paid at the Treasurer/Collector's office during business hours or mailed. CLICK HERE for hours/address. Online payments for water bills are not available at this time. Please note that there is often a delay associated with "bill-pay" services offered by many financial institutions. Payments made this way may take a week to clear. Please allow sufficient time for all payments to arrive by the due date.

Email Water Commission

Phone - 508-473-2547

Meter Reading

Your water meter is equipped with a "Low Flow Indicator". This indicator will rotate any time water is being used, i.e, faucets, dishwashers, water heaters, or hose spigots. With every fixture in the house turned off, this indicator should remain stopped. If the indicator is rotating, Water Is Being Consumed.

Check for water leaks

• Toilets
• Faucets
• Shower Heads
• Water Heater

These are some of the most common places where leaks occur, with outlets being the most common.

• New Water Meter - Low Flow Indicator
• Old Style Water Meter - Low Flow Indicator

Abatement Policies

(as adopted 10/7/21)

Abatement Policy - Water Leaks

• A customer may challenge billed usage resulting from a leak by submitting a written request to the Department (email is acceptable).
  • This request shall include all supporting documents, including evidence of repair by a licensed plumber or certified lawn irrigation technician. Self-repair (DIY) is subject to the discretion of the commission.

• At their next regularly scheduled meeting, the Water Commission shall consider the request using the following guidelines:

  • Questionable usage must be at least 100% higher than the average of the previous 3 same-quarterly billing periods.
  • The applicant has presented supporting documentation including but not limited to the cause and location of the leak together with proof of repair. Household plumbing repairs require a Massachusetts licensed plumber, underground lawn-irrigation repairs require a certified lawn irrigation surveyor unless self-repair (DIY) is approved by the Executive Director.
  • Meter and Billing history confirming no mistakes were made in the processing of the bill.
• If approved, water usage shall be recalculated as follows:
  • Average use (average of the previous three quarters) shall be calculated at the current rate.
  • Usage above the average use shall abate in whole or in part at the discretion of the commission.
  • Any fees charged shall be abated if they are directly resulting from delays in reviewing the customer's request for abatement.
  • Any abatement for amounts already paid will be processed as a credit on the account towards future bills. No refunds shall be given.
• Any request for abatement due to leak under this policy will only be considered once per owner within a 5 year billing period.

Abatement Policy - Billing Issues

• A customer may challenge a late fee, penalty, or interest by the following policy by submitting a written request to the Department (email is acceptable).
  • This request shall include all supporting documents, including copies of canceled checks, receipts, proof of payment, postmarks, etc.
• At their next regularly scheduled meeting, the Water Commission shall consider the request using the following guidelines
  • The customer has paid on time in the preceding 5-year period
  • Failure to receive a bill does not excuse payment.
  • Payment shall be decided by the date the Town received payment not the date on the check or date an online transaction was initiated.
  • Proof of an attempt to pay the bill promptly.
    • Customers are advised to allow up to 2 weeks for all "bill-pay" transactions through their bank. These services send a paper check to the Town, and there are frequently delays in processing before payment even arrives.
• The Water Commission does not have jurisdiction to waive fees for bounced checks, as these fees are charged by the Treasurer/Collector's Office and set by state law.
• Water Liens, once filed, shall be considered final, and the Commission shall not consider any further appeals. Any further appeal of water liens will fall under the jurisdiction of the Assessor's Office and Appellate Tax Board by relevant statutes.
• If approved, abatements will be processed as follows:
  • Late Fees and/or Admin Fees will be abated.
  • Interest shall not be abated if the bill was not paid by the due date, except in cases of mistake by the Town.
  • Any abatement for amounts already paid will be processed as a credit on the account towards future bills. No refunds shall be given.

No. All of our water is supplied by the Town of Hopedale. Hopedale does not add fluoride to its water. Fluoride can occur naturally in water; however, Hopedale tests for Fluoride and none was detected in 2018.

The Hopedale Capital Impact Fee is charged to all users of the Mendon water system. It covers the costs of debt service (loans), pays for system upgrades to Hopedale's water infrastructure. As Hopedale supplies all of Mendon's water, this cost is passed on to Mendon and our customers under the terms of our contracts with Hopedale. The fee is calculated yearly by dividing the total cost of Hopedale's debt by the total number of water customers in Mendon and Hopedale, and the 4 billing quarters.

The Local Capital Impact fee is also charged to all Mendon customers. This fee is intended to generate a small reserve for future repairs to Mendon's infrastructure. Many of the water mains were installed in the 40's and 50's and are nearing the end of their lifespan. As they age, there is an increased risk of failure that will result in very high costs for repairs. The main funding mechanism for these repairs will be assessments to our small user base. This fee is intended to start a fund for these future costs.

But I have a well, I don't use Town water. Why am I still being billed for a Capital Impact Fee?

All Mendon water accounts are assessed this Capital Impact Fee, even if they are not actively using water. If you do not need water from the Town, you can request us to terminate your account, and you will no longer be assessed this fee. If you wish to terminate your account, please contact us. Depending on your location, termination may or may not be allowed per the terms of the existing contracts. Once terminated, the account can only be reactivated by paying the initial start-up costs ($1,500 to $2,800). Also, please note that connections are extremely limited, and we cannot guarantee the future availability of a new connection if your account is terminated.

A Master Plan guides a community's growth and development according to its economic, environmental, and social objectives. It provides the basis for guidance, coordination, and accountability to future decision-makers regarding the community's long-term land use and development. A Master Plan should look at least 20 years into the future and be revisited at least every five years.

The Planning Board established the Master Plan Committee to work with other Town staff, boards, commissions, consultants, regional agencies, and the citizens of Mendon to formulate and draft Mendon's First Master Plan. The MPC will ensure that it involves citizens in shaping the vision, goals, and strategies in the Master Plan.

A Master Plan will help us to actively shape Mendon's future by managing our growth and articulating our long-term challenges and opportunities. It will guide decisions and remind our local leaders of our priorities. It will be realistic, it will be optimistic, and, by setting achievable goals, it will be implemented.

The Master Plan Committee will work hard to gather input and formulate this document. The areas covered will be Land Use, Housing, Open Space, Economic Development, Recreation, Transportation, and Natural and Cultural Resources. The process will involve the dissemination of materials, interviews, focus groups, and public meetings. It will also involve town departments, boards, committees, the business community, and other stakeholders. Critical to the success of any Master Plan is the degree to which our residents get involved. Please consider participating in this process that will serve you, your family, your community, and generations to come.

Contact the Planning Board to request a form for appointment to the Master Plan Committee.

The benefits of a town having a Master Plan are:

• Ensures that development is orderly and predictable.
• Guides an efficient capital spending program.
• May result in a better bond rating by demonstrating prudent fiscal policies.
• Provides bonus points on State grant applications.
• Identifies short and long-range actions and who is responsible for implementation.
• Engages local citizens in a positive dialogue about preserving valuable assets and growing responsibly.
• Serves as a reference for boards to make clear, fair, and consistent decisions.
• Gives the Town time to prepare for growth. While Mendon may be growing slowly at present, regional growth trends will eventually affect the Town.

Mendon Parks and Recreation Refund & Cancellation Policies

Adopted by the Parks Commission on May 10, 2018.

Amended January 13, 2021, 2/15/22, 5/29/24

Refund Policy

Refund Policy

A full refund will be issued if a program is canceled by the Parks Department for any reason. There will be no cancellation fee. The user will be contacted and asked to choose between a refund or a user credit. If no response is received within 7 days, a user credit will be posted to the user's account.

Requests for withdrawal/changes to registrations must be received at least 2 weeks (14 days) prior to the start of the program to be eligible for a refund. All refunds may be subject to a $25 cancellation fee.

Withdrawals less than 14 days in advance may be eligible for user credit for future parks programming. Please review specific program policies below for more details.

Please Note

Every effort will be made to refund payments onto the card used for the initial transaction. However, the Department reserves the right to issue refunds in the form of a paper check through the Town. These checks may take 4 to 5 weeks to process. You may be required to provide verification of your address and/or sign a W-9 form for a refund to be issued.

User Credit will be posted to your account and may be used for any applicable purchase, including parks programs, beach admission, or snack shack concessions. Any credits not used within a 24-month period may be forfeited.

All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing to the Parks Department either via email or U.S. Mail.

Email Park Commission or

Mail: Mendon Parks Department 20 Main Street Mendon, MA 01756

Program Policies

Kids 'N' Us Recreation Program

The Rec Program runs rain or shine. We have an indoor facility in case of inclement weather. The program runs from 8 am to 5 pm, and there will be no refunds for participants attending late or leaving early.

Update 2022

We are no longer offering make-up days. Swaps/Changes to registrations will be permitted up to 2 weeks before the date of attendance.

A 50% deposit is required to hold a registration spot. Any changes to registrations are subject to our general refund policy.

Changes/cancellations with less than 14 days' notice will forfeit the 50% deposit along with any additional payment made towards 100% of the total due. At our discretion, if we can fill the spot from the wait list, we will offer user credit only for cancellations with less than 14 days' notice.

Requests for refunds in situations with extenuating medical circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be referred to the Parks Commission for review. Documentation may be requested.

Swimming Lessons

Swimming Lessons are held rain or shine and will only be canceled for severe weather. To receive text message notifications of cancellations, please ensure your cell phone is properly registered with your account.

If lessons are canceled, make-ups will be held by the class schedule. Please review the make-up dates listed for each session.

All Payments are FINAL, and refunds will only be issued by our general refund policy. Requests for refunds in situations with extenuating medical circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis by our refund policy and may be referred to the Parks Commission for review. Documentation may be requested.

Town Beach

The Mendon Town Beach may close due to inclement weather. Per our rules, the water will be cleared for 20 minutes following the sound of thunder. Refunds or "Rain Checks" on admissions are NOT issued. Customers are advised to check the local forecast before planning a trip.

For the current beach status, please check our Facebook Page

Fitness Classes

In the case of inclement weather, cancellations will be posted to the Mendon Parks Department Facebook Page. If the Mendon Upton Regional School District cancels school or has an early dismissal, fitness classes will be canceled. In the event of a cancellation, make-ups will be scheduled by the instructor. All registrations are subject to our refund policy.

The recreational fields and facilities of the town of Mendon are open to the public. Anyone wishing to reserve a particular location must apply for a permit through the Parks Department. Once issued a permit, these groups will have priority access to that location. Any organized group, team, or event looking to use the fields must apply for a Field Use Permit through the Parks Department

• Visit the Facility Use Page for Field Use info and forms.

The Town of Mendon EIN is 04-6001218. If you need a receipt, please check your email for the receipts you were emailed when you registered in Rec1.

We can also send you a complete account statement. Email Park Commission

Lake Access

Adjacent to the Mendon Town Beach (45 Taft Avenue) is a small access path for non-motorized crafts (kayaks, canoes, etc) completed by Eagle Scout David Fleury on 7/21/11 and updated by Eagle Scout Eddie Shea in 2020. All boats must be carried down to the water as the ramp is not wide enough for trailers.

There is no public access or boat ramp on the lake for any motorized watercraft requiring a trailer.

Yes, please visit the Mendon Parks Financial Assistance Policy and Application to submit an application for assistance. 

To create a clear, consistent, and fair policy, the Mendon Parks Department does not allow ANY flotation device at the Mendon Town Beach other than Coast Guard-approved lifejackets. It is our position that flotation devices encourage unsafe behavior, create a false sense of security, and generally increase risks to non-swimmers.

Unapproved flotation devices are NOT meant for lifesaving and are simply toys. They are often cheaply made and may fail. Coast Guard-approved devices are specifically designed and tested to ensure safety. A Coast Guard-approved type I life jacket is designed to keep an incapacitated person's head and face up out of the water.

Unapproved devices can slide off, pop, or float a child face down. Water wings can slide off and even trap a drowning child underwater. With any device, a child can easily float away and into deep water.

We do allow "Puddle Jumper" type PFDs as long as they are Coast Guard-approved. These devices differ from simple water wings by having the 2 arm bands connected across the back to prevent them from slipping off.

• Please watch this video to see an example of the dangers of a Non-Swimmer Using an Inflatable

If your child is wearing a lifejacket, please be sure that the device is properly sized and adjusted before they enter the water.

• Please view this video for Properly Fitting a Lifejacket

Lifejackets (PFDs) are NOT allowed at the far dock, and children wearing them should be under the direct supervision of an adult.

All youth sport groups in Mendon are volunteer-run organizations not affiliated with the recreation department. Please visit their websites for registration information.

• Visit the Mendon Sports and Recreation Links for links to Mendon sports groups.

Most projects will require a permit along with other paper work depending on what work is to be done and who is pulling the permit. For more information, contact the Building Department.

Table 1 - Dimensional Regulations

Please check the current edition of the Zoning By-Laws (PDF) for more information.

Footnotes

1. No part of any pond, stream, river, swamp, or wetlands shall be included as part of a lot for the purpose of determining the minimum lot size.
2. Frontage shall be measured as a continuous line along one street only. Frontage on cul-de-sacs or along the curvature of a road shall be established by measuring along the arc of the curve establish by the street layout (which may or may not coincide with the paved way) between the points of intersection created by the side lot lines and the street.
3. The minimum depth or width of a yard shall consist of the horizontal distance between the lot line and the nearest point of any structure. A "yard" shall be an open space, unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground up, except as specifically permitted in this By-law. Parking facilities for non-residential uses shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from all lot lines, and, in cases where a non-residential use abuts a residential use, no parking facilities shall be permitted in the side setbacks.
4. Measured perpendicularly to the front lot line.
5. Measured perpendicularly to the front lot line. The minimum lot width is the width required from the front lot line to the required front set back.
6. No structure shall exceed 35 feet unless a greater amount is specifically provided for in this By-law. In the instance of a building, the height in each case shall be measured vertically from the highest point of the roof beams in the case of a flat roof, or from the top of the rafters at the ridge in the case of a sloping roof, measured from the mean grade of the natural ground contiguous to the building. For all other structures the height shall be measured vertically from the mean grade of the natural ground around the structure to the highest point of the structures.
7. A corner lot shall have two front yards, one on each street. The required frontage for the lot must be provided on only one street, however, the front yard setback applies to both streets.

Visit the Tree Warden for more information.

Call 508-473-2312 or email the Executive Assistant in the Select Board's Office with the street name and pole number.

Yard Sale Permits are no longer required.

• Call the BOS office to see if any licenses are available.
  The state determines how many licenses each town can hold based on population.
• Go to the state's Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission Website
• Click on retail licenses for instructions and the application.
• Choose Off-Premises License Forms for package or convenience stores, or On-Premises License Forms for Restaurants.

Simply email the Select Board and provide the following information:

• Name of Solicitor
• Company/Organization Affiliation
• Date of Occurrence
• Nature of the complaint
• Your name, address, and contact information.

No, The BYOB policy is currently suspended.

You may obtain copies of birth certificates, marriage and death certificates from the Town Clerk. Please call ahead to confirm office hours.

Town Clerk's Webpage

Please call the Highway Department at 508-473-0737; by email to Highway Department or call the Police Department if there is no answer at the Highway Department.

If you notice the catch basin clogged due to debris on top of it, please clear it away.  If it appears that the catch basin is clogged inside, please contact the Highway Department at 508-473-0737 or email the Highway Department.  Please be advised that the Town of Mendon has many catch basins to clear and clean, and it is helpful if the residents keep the tops of the catch basins in front of their properties clean and clear from all debris.

Potholes

Potholes are an unfortunate but inherent danger on the roads that we travel. Potholes generally develop after heavy rains, due to subsurface erosion, or when a frost heave collapses. Since we have no control over the weather, the Town of Mendon is not responsible for damage to vehicles caused by potholes.

Claims from defects in public roads and ways fall under the jurisdiction of M.G.L. Chapter 84, Sections 15 - 18. Section 15 of this statute details circumstances under which a municipality may be found liable for damages arising from a road defect.

Section 15 details that in order for a municipality to be liable for damages arising from a road defect, they must have prior knowledge of the defect or want of repair and fail to remedy it within a reasonable time frame.

If you become aware of a dangerous pothole, please inform the Public Safety Department or directly to the Highway Department directly. If your vehicle has been damaged AND the pothole had been reported AND the Highway Department has not responded in a timely fashion, you may be able to file a claim for insurance reimbursement.

If you have any questions, please call the Highway Department at 508-473-0737.

Chapter 84: Section 15. Personal injuries or property damage from defective ways

Section 15. If a person sustains bodily injury or damage in his property by reason of a defect or a want of repair or a want of a sufficient railing in or upon a way, and such injury or damage might have been prevented, or such defect or want of repair or want of railing might have been remedied by reasonable care and diligence on the part of the county, city, town or person by law obliged to repair the same, he may, if such county, city, town or person had or, by the exercise of proper care and diligence, might have had reasonable notice of the defect or want of repair or want of a sufficient railing, recover damages therefore from such county, city, town or person; but he shall not recover from a county, city, town or local water and sewer commission more than one fifth of one per cent of its state valuation last preceding the commencement of the action nor more than five thousand dollars; nor shall a county, city or town be liable for an injury or damage sustained upon a way laid out and established in the manner prescribed by statute until after an entry has been made for the purpose of constructing the way, or during the construction and repairing thereof, provided that the way shall have been closed, or other sufficient means taken to caution the public against entering thereon. No action shall be maintained under this section by a person whose combined weight of carriage or vehicle and load exceeds six tons.

Winter normally brings a number of incidents involving mailboxes and snow. The Highway Department DOES NOT replace mailboxes that have been damaged or broken during normal snow removal operations. We make every effort to avoid damage to mailboxes, but there is always some boxes that are either not secured adequately, or the snow is simply too heavy. This is a fact that we cannot avoid, and apologize in advance, but we will not replace or repair mailboxes that are broken during snowstorms. Please inspect your mailboxes to make sure that they are sturdy, secure and set back adequately to avoid plows and heavy snow. 

Please call the Highway Department at 508-473-0737 if you have any questions, concerns or complaints, so that we can investigate each incident.

The ZBA office arranges for the Petitioner's request to be advertised in the Local Newspaper for two consecutive weeks and at least two weeks in advance of the Public Hearings.

The ZBA office must schedule a Public Hearing within 65 days from the time the Petition is filed with the Town Clerk.

The Petitioner and/or Agent must attend the Hearings to represent the Petition. The Board renders a Decision. Occasionally, the Petition must be continued to allow the Board time to conduct research or to allow the Petitioner an opportunity to receive approval from other Town Boards.

The general public is always welcome to attend Planning Board Meetings in accordance with the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law.

Subdivision Rules and Regulations may be purchased from the Planning Board Department (located in the Building Department) or Town Clerk at the Town Hall. They are also available online.

• Copy of Subdivision Rules and Regulations (PDF)

Zoning bylaws may be purchased from the Planning Department or Town Clerk at the Town Hall. The bylaws are also available online.

• Zoning ByLaws

An exemption is a discharge from the obligation to pay all or part of a real estate tax based on certain age, income, military, or disability status as set forth by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Exemptions are available for seniors, low-income seniors, surviving spouses or surviving minor children, veterans with disabilities, and blind persons.

An abatement happens as a result of an adjustment that lowers a property valuation after the actual (not preliminary) tax bill has been issued.

If you are interested in real estate tax exemptions, please refer to this page, which describes the various real estate and motor vehicle tax exemptions that are currently available in the Town of Mendon.

If you feel you qualify per the requirements, please contact the Assessor's Office at 508-478-2738 or email the Assessors, and we will be happy to assist you. The deadline for applying for tax exemptions is April 1 of the fiscal year (July to June) (So for Fiscal Year 2016 ending June 30, 2016, the deadline is April 1, 2016). All information provided by the taxpayer is strictly confidential.

Zoning Bylaws are local rules patterned on State Law, that regulate land use. Typical restrictions are on allowed uses, lot sizes, set backs, density and height. The Zoning Board of Appeals may issue special permits for regulated uses or variances for exception to the Bylaws.

Your response to the Annual Census is important. The census data is used by the school department to verify residency and project class sizes. Our public safety departments use this information when providing critical services to the residents. Also, many state and federal government agencies depend upon this data in determining funding for our schools, roads, and eligibility for important grants, all of which affect our local tax rate.

The Annual Town Meeting is held within the 1st two weeks of May, and the Annual Town Election is held on the 3rd Tuesday in May. The annual election warrant is posted at least 2 weeks before the meeting.

Additionally, Special Town Meeting warrants are posted at least 2 weeks before the meeting date.

Sign up for email alerts of meeting postings and events.

The Community Choice Power Supply Program is a municipal aggregation program that allows local government to combine the purchasing power of its residents to achieve savings on electricity costs. In doing so, it creates competition among competitive suppliers which helps ensure aggressive rates. Consumers are no longer “stuck” with the cost and fluctuation of Basic Service rates because the Program offers them another option.

Following the approval of Article 20 at Town Meeting in May 2013, the Town of Mendon developed and published its Aggregation Plan (“Plan”) in compliance with Massachusetts law regarding municipal aggregation of electric consumers (M.G.L. c. 164, § 134). The Select Board approved the Plan in April 2019, and a power supply agreement was executed this June to take effect in September 2024.

A competitive supplier is a power supplier other than National Grid. Competitive suppliers provide power supply to consumers either through a municipal aggregation program or through a competitive supplier program. Your electricity is currently being supplied by National Grid unless you have switched to a competitive supplier program on your own. Your electric bill is divided into two parts: Delivery and Supply. The supply is no longer regulated and therefore can be provided by a competitive supplier. Delivery is still regulated and can only be provided by National Grid. National Grid will continue to deliver your power supply over the wires. However, the power running through those wires can be provided by a competitive supplier.

Programs you see advertised are competitive supplier programs in which the competitive supplier contracts directly with the individual consumer. While both programs seek to lower your electric bill, they are run very differently. Competitive supplier programs set their terms and conditions. Once signed up, it is up to the consumer to monitor the rates. Competitive supplier programs usually have a clause in the terms and conditions that states the consumer remains in the program after the original rate and term have ended unless specific action is taken to cancel the contract. In many cases, there may be an exit fee. Municipal aggregation programs are run by cities or towns. Once signed up, it is up to the city or town to monitor the rates. Knowing the electricity market, the city or town continually looks out for its citizens’ best interests. Their goals are to provide low, stable rates and possibly green options to their citizens. Municipal aggregation programs have no entrance or exit fees.

Beware of Other Energy Offers claiming to be associated with your community or National Grid. You may receive direct mail, phone calls, or even visits to your door from energy marketers for the competitive supplier programs mentioned above. These marketers are not associated with the Community Choice Power Supply Program or with National Grid. The Community Choice Power Supply Program will notify you of the Program only through mail direct from your community (look for your Town’s seal).

Your Town has signed a contract with a competitive supplier on behalf of your community as part of their Community Choice Power Supply Program.

You will not receive a Consumer Notification Letter if National Grid has your account listed as being contracted with a competitive supplier or if you have requested National Grid put a “Supplier Block” on your account so that it is removed from all supplier marketing lists. However, there is a lag between the date the utility provides the account data and the date the Consumer Notification Letters are mailed, so there may be some accounts that are categorized wrong at the time of the mailing.

You will receive the benefit of potentially lower rates on your electricity and, therefore, a lower electric bill. Otherwise, You Will Not Notice Any Change. The only difference you will see is that the name of the chosen competitive supplier will be printed under the “Supply/Generation Services Charge” section of your monthly bill. You will continue to receive one bill from National Grid. You will continue to send your payments to National Grid for processing. National Grid will continue to read meters and maintain the distribution and transmission lines. Reliability and quality of service will remain the same. Furthermore, you will continue to have all existing consumer rights and protections.

If you have received a Consumer Notification Letter and you have not opted out and your account is not listed with National Grid as having a “Supplier Block” (a request to have your account removed from all supplier marketing lists), you will not need to do anything to participate. You will be automatically enrolled in the Program.

Enrollment is automatic Only IF you have received a Consumer Notification Letter and have not opted out. Enrollment is Not Automatic if you have not received a Consumer Notification Letter Or if National Grid has your account listed as being contracted with a competitive supplier at the time of the enrollment. Also, you will not receive a Consumer Notification Letter, and therefore will not be enrolled, if you have requested that National Grid put a “Supplier Block” on your account so that it is removed from all supplier marketing lists. If that is the case, consumers may have to call National Grid to be enrolled in the Program.

Yes, as long as your community has a DPU-approved aggregation working with Colonial Power Group. You may Opt-in at Any Time by filling out the online Opt-In Form at Colonial Power Group Website Or by calling the competitive supplier chosen by your community (listed on your community's page) OR by calling Colonial Power Group at 866-485-5858, ext. 1. To avoid delays in your enrollment, before opting in, please make sure that if you have a "Supplier Block" on your account that it is removed. Also, if you have previously contracted with your competitive supplier, you should confirm with them that you will not incur any fees for leaving their supply.

Your enrollment will start on the meter read date stated on the Consumer Notification Letter. You will see the new rate on your bill the following month. For example, if your meter read enrollment date is January 1, your usage from January 1st trough  January 31st will be charged the new rate and billed on February

If you opt in at any other time, enrollment may take up to two billing cycles before taking effect.

Each consumer has the right to choose his/her supplier. Enclosed in the Consumer Notification mailing is an Opt-Out Return Card. If you do not want to participate in the Community Choice Power Supply Program, you can sign and date the card, place it in the envelope provided and drop it in the mail or fill out the Opt-Out Form at Colonial Power Group Website or call the competitive supplier chosen by your community (listed on your community's page) or call Colonial Power Group at 866-485-5858, ext. 1. You will then be removed from the list of participating consumers. The initial opt-out period is thirty (30) days from the mailing date of the Consumer Notification Letter.

Participation is designed to be as flexible as possible. You may leave the Community Choice Power Supply Program at no charge and be placed on National Grid Basic Service, or choose another competitive supplier on your own. Opting out of the Community Choice Power Supply Program is easy. You may fill out the online Opt-Out Form at Colonial Power Group Website or call the competitive supplier chosen by your community (listed on your community's page), or call Colonial Power Group at 866-485-5858, ext. 1. It may take a couple of billing cycles before you are back on National Grid Basic Service. There is No Charge to opt out.

Large users (100 kW or 500,000 kWh per year), if you participate initially and then choose to leave the Community Choice Power Supply Program, you may return but the competitive supplier may offer the then-current market rate for the product selected as opposed to the aggregation rate.

National Grid records should indicate that you already have a competitive supplier. If so, you will not be enrolled in the Community Choice Power Supply Program. However, there is a lag between the date the utility provides the account data and the date the Consumer Notification Letters are mailed, so there may be some accounts that are categorized wrong at the time of the mailing. This is why we recommend that you opt out if you have received a Consumer Notification Letter but have contracted with a competitive supplier.

GreenUp is a renewable energy program, through National Grid, which allows you to choose to have all or part of your electricity generated from renewable resources. GreenUp only allows for enrollment with Basic Service not competitive supply (which includes municipal aggregation).

National Grid records should indicate that you already have a Green Power Supply Option. If so, you will not be enrolled in the Community Choice Power Supply Program. However, there is a lag between the date the utility provides the account data and the date the Consumer Notification Letters are mailed, so there may be some accounts that are categorized wrong at the time of the mailing. This is why we recommend that you opt out if you have received a Consumer Notification Letter but have chosen a Green Power Supply Option.

You will continue to receive those benefits from National Grid.

You will continue to be eligible for those incentives, which are sponsored by National Grid.

Any applicable taxes will be billed as part of the Program's power supply charge. You will be responsible for identifying and requesting an exemption from the collection of taxes by providing appropriate documentation.

According to Massachusetts law, to maintain your tax-exempt status for your electric bill, you must send a copy of your tax-exempt certificate directly to the competitive supplier chosen by your community. (The competitive supplier's name is listed on the Colonial Power Group Website).

Net metering and on-bill credits will work the same way with the Community Choice Power Supply Program. You will continue to receive your net metering or on-bill credits while benefiting from the aggregation rate on your electricity. National Grid will continue to post your net metering or on-bill credits to your electric bill at National Grid's Basic Service rate.

By law, all electric supply products are required to include a mandatory minimum percentage of clean/renewable energy resources. The total Massachusetts Renewable Energy Requirement consists of several different state initiatives, each with different objectives and different resource types that qualify. Currently, the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Requirement equals the sum of the Clean Energy Standard (inclusive of RPS Class I), the Clean Energy Standard for existing resources (CES-E), and RPS Class II. A detailed breakdown of the different categories and the minimum requirements of each category can be found at the Colonial Power Group Website.

The Community Choice Power Supply Program is in effect until the local government terminates the Program. Throughout the life of the Program, each subsequent contract will vary by rate, term, and possibly competitive supplier. You will be automatically enrolled in the next contract at the new rate unless you opt out. The new rate may be higher or lower than the current rate, and the voluntary renewable energy content may change. The latest rates, terms, and contracted competitive suppliers can be found at the Colonial Power Group Website or by calling Colonial Power Group at 866-485-5858 ext. 1.

Basic Service rates change every six months for Residential and Small Commercial accounts and every three months for Large Commercial and Industrial accounts. As a result, the aggregation rate may not always be lower than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the aggregation is to deliver savings over the life of the Community Choice Power Supply Program against National Grid Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.

Mendon utilizes funds from Community Preservation Act (CPA) for land preservation in conjunction with utilizing funds and donations from various grants, neighboring towns, state agencies, volunteers and non-profit organizations to make each taxpayer dollar go much further than if the town worked alone. See the Community Preservation page for more details.

Individual assessments may rise or fall depending on characteristics of the property. The purpose of mass appraisal is to value all property by the same standards at the same time to create an equitable distribution of the tax levy. If the same amount of money is to be raised for the current year after a valuation update from the previous year, and each assessment has doubled, the tax rate would be cut in half. And vice versa, if each assessment decreased by 20%, and the same amount of money was to be raised, the tax rate would increase by 20%. Increases or decreases in assessed values do not cause a tax increase or decrease.

In reality, the tax levy increases each year by 2 1⁄2% per Proposition 2 1⁄2 and any "new growth" (new constructions, additions, etc.) occurring in the previous year. If after the Annual Town Meeting, where the expenses of the Town are voted on each year, there is excess levy, the Select Board, through a subsequent Town Meeting, make the determination to tax up to the levy. *An approved Proposition 2 1/2 override and/or Capital Debt Exclusion will cause an increase in the levy, therefore, increasing tax bills.

Every year the Assessors subject the arms-length sales that occurred in the prior calendar year to a statistical examination based on market area, style of house, age of house, effective area, size of lot, and sale price to see what changes the market has shown. The tables used in the Computer-Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) system are adjusted so that the median assessment of the sales sample is within 10% of 100% of market value and the dispersion of the assessments to sales ratios in the sample are within State guidelines. These new factors are then applied to all properties for the new fiscal year.

Every fifth year the Department of Revenue (DOR) requires each city or town to conduct a revaluation. This is a year-long process during which the DOR examines every phase of the assessing operation before certifying the values. During the four years in between revaluations, the Assessors change the values as sales activity so indicates. These yearly updates are called Interim Year Adjustments.

Mendon Town Hall

Attn: Tax Collector

20 Main Street

Mendon, MA. 01756

• An exemption is a discharge from the obligation to pay all or part of a real estate tax based on certain age, income, military, or disability status as set forth by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• Exemptions are available for seniors, low-income seniors, surviving spouses or surviving minor child, veterans with disabilities, and blind persons.
• An abatement happens as a result of an adjustment that lowers a property valuation after the actual (not preliminary) tax bill has been issued.

Please view this informational video produced by the MA Division of Local Services

Please view this informational video produced by the MA Division of Local Services

Please view this informational video produced by the MA Division of Local Services 

No - Under M.G.L. Chapter 111 Section 31A and 31B, Trash haulers and dumpster companies must be licensed by the Mendon Board of Health.

Below is a list of 2025 Permitted Trash Haulers/Dumpster Vendors (Last Updated March 31, 2025)

(Alphabetically listed in no particular order of preference)

No. Septic installers must be licensed by the Board of Health.

Below is a list of 2025 Permitted Septic Installers (Last Updated March 31, 2025)

(Alphabetically listed in no particular order of preference)

No - By the State Environmental Code, Title 5, 310 CMR 15.502, all septic-related systems can only be pumped by those who are permitted by the Mendon Board of Health.

Below is a list of 2025 Permitted Septic Hauler Vendors (Last Updated 03/05/2025)

(Alphabetically listed in no particular order of preference)

Please contact EL Harvey at 800-321-3002. They will schedule your bulk pickup. You will pay them directly, either by debit or credit card.

If you have missed the annual household hazardous waste day, there is a place in Sutton, MA you can bring those items. You might have to pay a fee. They are located at 83 Gilmore Drive, Sutton, MA. You can reach them at 886-769-1621 or email NEDT.  View the NEDT website

The purpose of this bylaw is to protect and preserve buildings and structures within Mendon that reflect or constitute distinctive features of the architectural, cultural, economic, political or social history of the Town. The intent of the bylaw is not to permanently prevent demolition but rather to provide an opportunity to develop preservation solutions for properties threatened with demolition.

Read the Complete Demolition Delay By-Law on page 52 of the General By-Laws (PDF)

We offer faxing for a small fee of $1 per page and printing for .10 cents per page.

YES. Mendon offers its residents curbside trash and single stream recycling, both on a weekly basis.

Please Email the Board of Health with your name, the address for services, and phone number, and we will set-up the account or you may come into our office located at 18 Main Street (the Red Building next to the Town Hall). We will generate an invoice for the services and once paid, services will be activated and begin the following week as scheduled.

You should put out your issued Harvey Gray-Lid Trash cart and your issued Harvey Blue-Lid Single Stream Recycling cart out at the curbside on your scheduled collection day by 7 AM. The Driver will collect the Harvey carts every week. All trash must be bagged, no loose trash in container. Construction bags are NOT allowed for any reason.

Yes, but… there are a few options and stipulations:

1. Purchase a 2nd 65-Gallon or less trash cart (of your own choosing but must have lid attached and must be capable of being emptied by the Truck’s mechanical arm. No more than two 65-Gallon Trash Carts will be allowed.
2. Contact the Board of Health Office either by phone or email and let us know you’re looking to purchase a 2nd 65-Gallon trash cart from EL Harvey.  We will put the request into EL Harvey and you can pay for the 2nd trash cart ($70) over the phone with them.
3. If you don’t have the space for a 2nd 65-Gallon trash cart, and occasionally have an extra bag or two of trash, you can purchase a Trash Sticker for each additional bag.

NO. Recyclables will only be collected from your issued Harvey Blue-Lid Single Stream Recycling cart. A maximum of 1 EL Harvey issued Blue Lid Recycling cart per address.

Each additional trash bag will require a $3.00 orange trash sticker. Trash stickers are for active accounts only. Stickers may be purchased at:

• The Board of Health Office located at 18 Main Street in the basement of the former Taft Library next to Town Hall. (Exact Cash or Check Only – Payable to Town of Mendon)
• The Town Clerks Office in the Town Hall (Bottom Floor) at 20 Main Street (Exact Cash, Charge/Debit, or Check – Payable to Town of Mendon)
• The Treasurer/Collectors Office in the Town Hall (Main Floor) at 20 Main Street (Cash, Charge/Debit, or Check – Payable to Town of Mendon)
• The Highway Department at 66 Providence Street (Check Only – Payable to Town of Mendon)
• You may also mail a self-address stamped envelope with a check to the Board of Health Office and we will mail them back to you. (** Max of 9 Stickers per 1st Class Envelope **)

NOTE: A maximum limit of 4 additional bags per week, each additional bag will require a Trash Sticker and easily visible to the Driver.  

Single Stream means that all paper, plastic, cardboard, metal food containers, and glass bottles can be in one container. 
DO NOT BAG RECYCLING - MUST BE LOOSE IN TOTER. See Harvey’s Single Stream Recycling Guidelines

No. Mendon does not have a Household Recycling Center. Any excess recycling over and above the weekly collection, are encouraged to go to the Blackstone Valley Recycling Center, just 10 minutes (less than 5 miles) away from the Mendon Town Hall.

No. Any bulk item for disposal, (couch, table, dresser, etc.) can be scheduled with Green Team Junk Removal as a Bulk Item Pickup and can be scheduled online or called directly at (508) 244-0450.

Harvey will collect all active subscribers’ trash and recycling carts by 5:00 PM.  If you are an active subscriber and experienced a missed collection after 5:00 pm, contact Harvey directly at (800) 321-3002.  All trucks will have GPS and cameras, so any missed collection can easily be identified. The Board of Health is not aware of a missed collection for active subscribers and cannot provide additional information.

1. Non-Payment of Services

2. Trash or recycle not at curbside by 7:00 a.m.

3. Trash or recycling is not in an E.L. Harvey cart.

4. Trash not bagged and is loose in cart.

5. Recycling in plastic bags.

6. Property Address is not an Active Subscriber.

7. If any item is declared “unacceptable” by the driver, a non-compliance sticker will be placed on the item.  In such case, the resident must call Harvey for an explanation.

Mendon's curbside collection program is a fully subscriber-fee-funded program. There are no tax dollars used to support the program. Subscribers to the program pay an annual fee that is billed bi-annually for the Fiscal Year (July-June).

• 1st Half of Fiscal Year will be mailed out in May, payment due in June, to cover services for July 1 through December 31.
• 2nd Half of Fiscal Year will be mailed out in November, due in December, to cover services for January 1 through June 30.
• Bills are due 30 days from the date the bill is mailed.

Failure to pay either portion of the Annual Fee will result in Termination of Services and removal of the Harvey carts from the property. If you do not need the Trash & Recycling Services for the Full Year, please do not register as a subscriber, and select an approved trash hauler who can accommodate your trash & recycling needs.

Payments may be made as follows:

1. PAY ONLINE and enter your Bill Number and follow the online process.
2. Mail payment to the Tax Collectors Office at PO Box 11, Mendon, MA 01756 (Please note "trash" along with your address in the memo line.  All checks must be made out to "Town of Mendon".)
3. Payments can be made in-person (Cash, check, or credit at the Tax Collectors Office in Town Hall.   Office hours are Monday-Thursday 8:30am-4pm. Closed Fridays.  There is a drop off box for payments (NO CASH) in front of Town Hall if you are unable to bring your payment during their regular office hours.

No. The Board of Health does NOT issue refunds for trash payments. If you are moving and have subscribed to the curbside services, the difference should be added into your closing costs of the property sale.

If payment is NOT received and processed by the due date, the Board of Health will assume curbside services is not wanted and instruct Harvey not to collect at that location. If the account is inactivated, both the Trash cart and Recycling cart will be removed from the address location as these totes are the property of EL Harvey.

Unfortunately, if you are paying your bill late and services have been inactivated, your services WILL resume the following week, after the payment has been RECEIVED AND PROCESSED.

There is a $50 re-delivery toter charge from EL Harvey, only if the account has been deactivated and Toters have been removed from the property. (Does Not Apply to New Property Owners)

No, but all Private Trash/Recycling Haulers, must be approved and permitted in the Town of Mendon.

Yes. If you registered on the ‘Notify Me’ for the Board of Health, you can receive an email or a text message for updates on the mailing & due dates of Trash Bills, Service Delays, and Holiday Reminders so you don't miss your pickup date. Under the Alert Center, choose your alert delivery method for "Board of Health - Trash" 

Yes. Mendon has a Metal Recycling Center and can accommodate the mentioned items above and more. Items NOT accepted are household garbage, furniture, any form of plastic, cardboard, wood debris, rocks, cement, bricks, construction debris, commercial waste, motor oil,  oil-based paint, wooden fencing of any kind.

Mendon has an Annual Hazardous Waste Day, usually scheduled in September/October timeframe. We will announce it as time gets closer, but if you’d like to get rid of those items before then, you can go to New England Waste Disposal (NEDT) in Sutton, Massachusetts. For the Mendon event, make sure you’re registered on the ‘Notify Me’ for the Board of Health.

The Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act was adopted by the Massachusetts legislature in the 1972 as M.G.L. Ch.131§ 40. Permitting authority was assigned to local Conservation Commissions, which were already established by the Conservation Commission Act in 1957 as  M.G.L. Ch. 40 § 8C. The WPA combined the 1963 Jones Act, which protected coastal wetlands, and the 1965 Hatch Act, which protected inland wetlands. The WPA was the first statewide wetlands protection law and was adopted due to concern of the rapid destruction and loss of wetlands. In 1996 the WPA was expanded to include the Rivers Protection Act. The Current Wetland Protection Regulations became effective in 2014 as 310 CMR 10.00. The Wetland Protection Act established jurisdiction over wetland resource areas and their buffer zones in order to protect eight interests. 

• Public and Private Drinking Water Supply
• Prevention of Pollution
• Groundwater Supply
• Flood Control
• Storm Damage Prevention
• Protection of Fisheries
• Protection of Land Containing Shellfish
• Protection of Wildlife Habitat

Wetlands: Our "Common Wealth"

Yes, the Mendon Conservation Commission has a local By-law which was adopted by the voters in 2012. The By-law was revised in 2025 at the Annual Town Meeting. Mendon Wetlands Protection By-Law. The Mendon Wetlands Protection Rules and Regulations established the permit fees. The local By-law protects additional resources areas that are not protected in the Act, such as intermittent streams, isolated wetlands, and vernal pools, as well as established the 25ft no-disturb and 50ft no-build buffer zones. The By-law also protects five more interests in addition to the eight protected interests under the WPA. 

• • Protection of public or private water supply
  • Protection of groundwater
  • Flood control
  • Erosion and sediment control
  • Storm damage prevention
  • Prevention of water pollution
  • Fisheries
  • Wildlife habitat
  • Rare species habitat including rare plant and animal species
  • Recreational value
  • Protection of surrounding land and other homes or buildings
  • Protection of surrounding land from predicted increases in flood frequency & intensity
  • Protection of surrounding land to provide improved water filtration capacity, under predicted future increases in precipitation intensity, water temperatures and eutrophication impacts

If the proposed project is located within 100 feet of a wetland resource area or within 200 feet of a stream or river, a permit application must be submitted to the Conservation Commission. The Wetland Resource Areas Graphic may help you visualize types of resource areas and their buffer zones. Mass Mapper is a great resource to help identify wetlands that may be on your property, but it does not capture everything. Past files on record with the office are also available to identify resource areas. Please contact staff at concom@mendonma.gov with any questions. 

The Conservation Commission meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month. Applications that require a public hearing must be submitted two weeks prior to the desired public hearing date, to allow sufficient time for the necessary legal advertisements to be posted. The Conservation Commission meeting schedule includes the filing deadlines. 

The Commission requires two hard copies of all documents in an application, which can be dropped off in person or by mail to the Conservation Office at 18 Main St Mendon MA 01756. An electronic copy should be submitted to concom@mendonma.gov.

Mendon publishes legal advertisements in the Milford Daily News. Public hearing notices are also posted on the town website by the Town Clerk, you can find this on the calendar page, pressing 'Select a Calendar' and checking the Public Hearing box. The 'Notify Me' option will allow you to subscribe to public hearing notices with your email.

The Mendon Wetlands Protection Regulations include the local fees associated with an application. Legal ads are typically around $150. The local fees can be paid as one check.

The town's portion of the state fees are calculated using the NOI Wetlands Transmittal From. The town's portion of the fee should be paid for with a separate check.

Checks can be mailed ot or dropped off at:

Conservation Office 

18 Main St

Mendon, MA 01756

Staff at the office can provide you with copies of records that are available by emailing concom@mendonma.gov or by visiting the office at 18 Main St. Additionally you can search for the record in the Worcester Registry of Deeds by searching the property address, deed recording page, or your name. 

A permit is not required to cut trees or brush outside of wetland resource areas including the 100ft buffer zone to wetlands, the 200ft Riverfront Area, and flood zones. 

A permit is required to cut trees and brush within resource areas and buffer zones. Please call the Conservation Commission office for assistance at 508-634-6898. 

The 25ft no disturb zone was adopted because trees, shrubs, and native plants next to the wetland provide valuable benefits such as soaking up runoff from lawns, and roads, which may contaminate the wetland with chemicals, fertilizers, oils, heavy metals, or salts. Protecting our natural resources is especially important in Mendon when our drinking water mostly comes from private wells. 

The ConCom Chair or its Agent is able to issue an Emergency Certificate for tree removal in emergency situations. Please contact 508-634-6898 immediately, so staff can assess the situation. 

The Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife has designated local Boards of Health the responsible authority for nuisance beaver or muskrats, with the ability to issue emergency removal permits. The Division of Fisheries & Wildlife's page Beavers and the law: A Citizen's Guide to Addressing Beaver Conflicts outlines MGL C. 131. S 80a. The 10 day Emergency Beaver/Muskrat Permit Application should be used for a removal permit. The BOH cannot grant permission to breach (break up) or remove a beaver dam, as the beaver dam is located in wetland resource areas and regulated by the Conservation Commission. Please contact the office at concom@mendonma.gov or 508-634-6898 for permission to breach a beaver dam. 

Motor Vehicle Excise Tax is a State Tax calculated by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. 

The amount of the motor vehicle excise due on any vehicle or trailer in any registration year is calculated by multiplying the value of the vehicle by the motor vehicle excise rate. That rate is fixed at $25 per thousand dollars of value. The value of the vehicle for the purpose of the excise is the applicable percentage for that year of the manufacturer's suggested retail price for the vehicle. 

The applicable percentages are set out in Ch. 60A S1 as follows: 

• 50% In the year preceding the year of manufacture 
• 90% In the year of manufacture 
• 60% In the second year 
• 40% In the third year 
• 25% In the fourth year 
• 10% In the fifth and succeeding years 

The manufacturer's list price for any vehicle is the price recommended by the manufacturer as the selling price of that vehicle when new. It is the manufacturer's list price rather than the actual purchase price which will control for purposes of calculating the motor vehicle excise.