Special Assessment Policies and Procedures

Policies and Procedures for Special Assessments (Official document link)

Special assessments are used to finance certain local public improvements and services which are not fit for finance by general taxes or Fitchburg Utility funds. These assessments are only used when the public improvements have benefit to certain specific properties. Some improvements that may be assessed include:
    • New local street improvements (including street widening) will be 100% allocated against the benefitted property. 
    • Replacement of existing street surface between curb and gutter on either side of the street will not be allocated against the benefitted property. 
  • Driveway Approaches
    • Original and replacement costs of driveway approaches from curb flag to property line, including curb opening, shall be assessed against benefitted property the same as the underlying project.
    • Original, replacement, and maintenance costs of sidewalk shall be assessed against benefitted adjacent property.
  • Curb and Gutter
    • The total cost of all work involved in the original construction of curbs and gutters shall be charged to the storm water utility.
  • Utilities (Local Sanitary Sewer Collection Mains, Water Distribution Mains, Sanitary Sewer and Water Laterals and Appurtenances, and Sanitary and Storm Sewer Facilities)