Frequently Asked Questions

Re-paving of an existing driveway requires a permit from the Town of Randolph by a bonded contractor prior to commencement of work. Extension/expansion of an existing driveway or any new driveway also requires a permit. View permit applications.

Randolph strongly encourages minimizing the number of impervious surfaces to prevent pollutants from reaching our watershed. Driveways constructed of permeable pavers, grasscrete, and the like are ways of providing for a new driveway while still being environmentally friendly.

Below are some additional resources which provide alternatives to the concrete, impervious driveway:

• Low Impact Development Center 
• Stormwater Manager's Resource Center
• Low Impact Development Urban Design Tools 
• National Association of Home Builders

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard for the sum of six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (known as PFAS6) and we are taking a number of corrective actions. The drinking water standard is applicable to a lifetime of consuming the impacted water; however, sensitive subgroups, including pregnant or nursing women, infants and people diagnosed by their health care provider to have a compromised immune system, should consider using bottled water that has been tested for PFAS6, for their drinking water, cooking of foods that absorb water (like pasta) and to make infant formula. We are providing an alternative source of water for residents concerned about consuming water with PFAS at the Bluedrop Water Filling Stations available at no cost anytime at the following locations:

• Randolph Residents: Located behind the Department of Public Works (DPW) Building, 6 Carlino Way, Randolph
• Holbrook Residents: Stanney's Restaurant, 300 Union Street, Holbrook.

This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours. Although this is not an emergency, as our customer, you have the right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation.

On October 2, 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) promulgated a new drinking water regulation and maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 20 nanograms per liter (ng/L or parts per trillion - ppt) for the sum of six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (called PFAS6). Our water system proactively and voluntarily sampled for PFAS6 prior to the new regulations. See our latest results in this table.

PFAS6 Results for Randolph/Holbrook Joint Water Plant:

Note: A quarterly average exceeding 20 is a violation of the PFAS6 Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL).

Even though we have been notifying you of our results since we began collecting samples, we must provide you with this Public Notice to comply with the drinking water regulations.

Some people who drink water containing these PFAS in excess of the MCL may experience certain adverse effects. These could include effects on the liver, blood, immune system, thyroid, and fetal development. These PFAS may also elevate the risk of certain cancers.

PFAS6 includes perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA). PFAS are man-made chemicals that have been used in the manufacturing of certain fire-fighting foams, moisture and stain-resistant products, and other industrial processes. 

• Consumers in a sensitive subgroup (pregnant or nursing women, infants and people diagnosed by their health care provider to have a compromised immune system), are advised not to consume, drink, or cook with water when the level of PFAS6 is above 20 nanograms per liter (ng/L).
• Consumers in sensitive subgroups are advised to use bottled water for drinking and cooking of foods that absorb water (like pasta).
• For infant formula, use bottled water or use formula that does not require adding water.
• For older children and adults not in a sensitive subgroup, the 20 ng/L value is applicable to a lifetime of consuming the water. For these groups, shorter duration exposures present less risk. However, if you are concerned about your exposure while steps are being taken to assess and lower the PFAS concentration in the drinking water, use of bottled water will reduce your exposure.
• Bottled water should only be used if it has been tested. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health requires companies licensed to sell or distribute bottled water or carbonated non-alcoholic beverages to test for PFAS. See a list of bottlers.
• Home water treatment systems that are certified to remove PFAS by an independent testing group such as NSF, UL, or Water Quality Association may be used to treat the water. These may include point of entry systems, which treat all the water entering a home, or point of use devices, which treat water where it is used, such as at a faucet. For information on selecting home treatment devices that are effective in treating the water for PFAS6, review the MassDEP factsheet for consumers (PDF).
• In most situations the water can be safely used for washing foods, brushing teeth, bathing, and showering.
• Boiling the water will not destroy PFAS6 and will somewhat increase its level due to evaporation of some of the water.
• If you have specific health concerns regarding exposure, you should see the Centers for Disease Control's page and consult a health professional, such as your doctor.

The Randolph/Holbrook Water Board has taken the following pro-active measures:

• We will continue to sample our water sources for PFAS.
• When additional information becomes available, this Public Notice will be updated, per MassDEP regulations.
• A new Tri-Town Water Treatment Plant is being designed (currently 90%) and constructed and is expected to be completed in 2024,
• As mentioned above PFAS free water is being made available for residents concerned about consuming water with PFAS, particularly the sensitive subgroups (pregnant or nursing women, infants and people diagnosed by their health care provider to have a compromised immune system), at BlueDrop Filling Stations.

For more information, please email Randolph Department of Public Works (DPW) Superintendent or call 781-961-0940.

Other resources:

• Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Fact Sheet - Questions and Answers for Consumers (PDF)
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Information on PFAS for consumers and health professionals
• Massachusetts Department of Public Health information about PFAS in Drinking Water
• Randolph Department of Public Works
• Holbrook Department of Public Works
• Environmental Protection Agency on PFAS
• The Informational Community Meeting held on July 29, 2021

The Randolph Wetlands Protection Bylaw requires that all property owners within 300 feet of a proposal to conduct work in or near wetlands are notified by the applicant by mail. All wetland hearings are also legally advertised in a local newspaper at least 5 days prior to the hearing.

Residents are encouraged to call the Conservation Department at Town Hall or the Applicant to ask questions. The application and proposed plan are on file at the Conservation office. You are welcome to review this information and may pay for copies of any information that you would like to keep. Since staff is part-time and often conducting site visits, it is best to make an appointment.

At the hearing, the applicant or property owner will present plans and explain what is proposed. The Commission members will ask questions and the Chairperson will provide an opportunity for anyone in the audience to ask questions or offer an opinion as it relates to wetland protection. Since the Commission reviews several projects in an evening, hearings last only for a specified period of time. At the end of this time, the hearing may be either closed (if there is no more information to be received) or continued to a specific date and time (if the Commission needs additional information). Additional notifications of continuations are not mailed. Commission agendas are posted on the Town's calendar no less than 48 hours before a meeting date.

The scope of issues that the Conservation Commission can consider in reviewing proposed projects is defined by the Mass. Wetlands Protection Act and Regulations and the Randolph Wetlands Protection Ordinances. In presenting testimony (oral or written), please be aware that the Commission's jurisdiction only relates to wetland issues.

• You must be recognized to speak by the chairperson.
• State your name and address for the record before you speak.
• Use the proposed plan to point out concerns or questions.
• State all questions or concerns at once and then allow the next person to speak.
• Be polite and respectful of differing opinions.
• While you may have questions for the applicant, they must be addressed to the Commission chairperson.
• Issues relating to the project that are within the scope of the Commission may be presented. Issues such as traffic and noise are outside of the Commission's authority to review.
• It is fine to just say "I agree with Mr. Smith about that drainage issue," rather than restating the same concerns.

Comments can be submitted in writing prior to the close of the public hearing. As with all testimony (oral and written), it is most helpful to raise concerns early in the process. Send written comments to the Conservation office at Town Hall.

After the hearing is closed, the Commission deliberates the project and impacts on the wetlands. They issue a decision (Order of Conditions), within 21 days of closing the hearing outlining the approval of a project and any criteria the property owner must comply with to protect the associated wetland areas. The Commission may deny a project if it cannot be adequately conditioned to protect wetlands.

You may request a copy from the Conservation office at Town Hall. The property owner is also required to record the decision at the Norfolk Registry of Deeds in Dedham. 

Appeals of decisions under the Wetlands Protection Act (called a Request for a Superseding Order of Conditions) must be made to the Department of Environmental Protection within 10 days using forms supplied by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Appeals may be made by the Applicant, an abutter, 10 residents of the community, or the Department of Environmental Protection. For more information, please visit Mass.gov.

An alcoholic beverage license is required for establishments handling alcoholic beverages, including retail pouring or package sales. Any business that sells, stores, distributes, serves or delivers alcohol must have an alcoholic beverage license.

Most alcoholic beverage licenses must be approved by both the Randolph Licensing Board and the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC). The local licensing board ultimately issues licenses for restaurants and package stores (retail licenses), while ABCC has sole issuing authority for manufacturers, wholesalers, import/exporters, and caterers.

The application process varies for each type of license. A limited number of licenses are issued by the Town - check for availability before applying. You are strongly encouraged to consult the Licensing Board Clerk to determine which forms and processes to complete. State fees are payable to the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) with the application. Once the license is approved locally, a license fee must also be paid to the Town. For example, applicants for a new retail alcoholic beverage license follow this process:

1. Application and public hearing: Complete the appropriate online application on ABCC's website, print and sign it, and submit the fee. Then submit this application to the local Licensing Board, which will post it as an agenda item for a public hearing. You will need to be present at the hearing.
2. Local and state review: The Licensing Board will review your application and, if approved, forward it to the ABCC. Once approved by the ABCC, the Licensing Board will issue the alcoholic beverage license upon your submission of the licensing fee.

Please contact the Licensing Board for the scheduling of Liquor Licensing meetings. Once approved locally, the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) can take four to six weeks to approve an application.

Your permit must be renewed annually in December. Any changes to the license, including transferring it, appointing a new manager, or altering the premises, require a new application and review. If you stop operating the business, you must give up your license. If you plan to temporarily suspend your business operations, you must provide at least 10 days' notice to the Licensing Board.

An abutters list is needed whenever public hearings require individual notice to interested parties. The notice must be sent by mail to abutters and owners of land nearby. Each Town board, commission or agency has requirements that differ depending upon the specific petition. Please contact the administrator for the specific board/commission to confirm requirements.

The Town of Randolph requires that all abutters lists be certified by the Office of the Assessor located at Town Hall, 41 South Main Street first floor. 

The pledge must be approved by the local licensing authority and the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.

Applicants requesting a Section 14 License cannot purchase alcoholic beverages from a package store. The alcoholic beverages must be purchased from a licensed wholesaler/importer, manufacturer, farmer-winery, farmer-brewery or special permit holder.

A Separate bond shall be required for each different name under which the dealer conducts his business and for each city or town in which the dealer has a place of business.

The town must have a copy of the dealer's bond or an alternative that will be accepted, such as a certificate of deposit or irrevocable letter of credit equal to the bond amount, upon submission of the application for a new license or license renewal. Failure to provide these will result in the town denying the issuance of a current-year license.

• Vote of Corporate Board
• CORI Request Form
• ABCC Form A, Copy of Government issued photographic form of ID
• Copy of completed Alcohol Server Training Certificate

Applicant/department will request a list of abutters within required number of feet of subject property from the Assessor's office. The list will contain the following minimum information:

• Date parcel information gathered
• Parcel ID
• Parcel address
• Parcel owner name, address, city, state, zip code

• Vote of Corporate Board
• CORI Request Form
• ABCC Form 997
• ABCC Form A, Copy of Government issued photographic form of ID
• Copy of completed Alcohol Server Training Certificate

A Business License (Business Certificate) is obtained in the Town Clerk’s Office.

All signs (new, repaired or refaced) require a permit subject to the criteria specified in the zoning bylaws.

Application may be made online and must include color renderings for review and approval prior to installation.

If a road is a town-owned (public) road, the Department of Public Works (DPW) maintains and repairs the road as necessary.

If a road is a private road, the developer, residents or homeowner's association is responsible for maintenance and repairs.

A public road (or town road) is a road that has been accepted by the Town (Town Meeting or Town Council) after going through the acceptance process established by state statute.  The Town maintains public roads. A private road, not accepted by Town Meeting or Town Council, is owned either by the original developer, the residents on the road or a homeowner's association.

Floodplains include all special Flood Hazard Areas designated by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These hazard areas are identified on FEMA-approved Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). To determine if a property lies within one of these areas, residents and business owners can:

1. Go to Parcel/Property Maps
2. Select the magnifying glass and enter the property address or parcel ID
3. Select the map themes tab and select FEMA Flood Zones

or

1. Go to the online FEMA Map Service Center
2. Type in the property address and select "Search"

If you are still unsure whether or not the property lies within a floodplain, please email the Town's Engineer or email the Building Commissioner.

To request a change to your flood zone designation, a Letter of Map Change (LOMC) should be submitted to FEMA by one of the following methods:

• Online LOMC Tool
• Mail to:
  LOMC Clearinghouse
  3601 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 500
  Alexandria, VA 22304-6426

For questions, contact FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX) at 877-366-2627.

Filing deadlines for projects and applications are outlined on the Meeting Schedule on the Planning Board webpage.  There may be circumstances that permit certain filings after the posted deadline. Please email the Town Planner to determine filing requirements and be placed on the agenda.

Whether or not you can build on a lot depends on the zoning district in which the lot is located, what you intend to build, and the size of the construction. You can use the online property viewer to determine the zoning district for a particular parcel and then check for allowable uses of buildings and land in that district in the Randolph Zoning Ordinances.

Residents and business owners are encouraged to consult with the Randolph Building Commissioner to receive a formal determination on whether or not a lot is buildable: email the Building Commissioner. The Building Commissioner is responsible for the interpretation and enforcement of Randolph's Zoning Ordinances.

Special Permits regulate the use of a particular site and apply criteria in the zoning ordinance to determine if the proposed use, which is generally considered acceptable for that zoning district, is appropriate for the particular site. Special permits require a super-majority vote and are subject to procedures for applications, notice, public hearings, and decision-making set forth in the Zoning Act of MGL C.40A.

Site Plan and Design Review regulates the physical structures that will be constructed on the property and can be imposed for uses that are allowed by right or by special permit. The Town's bylaws specify the level of review required for based on project thresholds.

Any action that proposes changes to a property line requires the property owner to present a professional plan to the Planning Board for signing.

There are generally two methods by which a lot can be divided:

1. The mutual adjustment of property lines between abutting lots either by sale or exchange, or the creation of new building lots on an existing street, assuming the lots will have sufficient access, area, and frontage.
2. The formal division or splitting of an existing lot into two or more separate lots, or the construction of new streets combined with new building lots. These kinds of subdivisions are regulated by the state's Subdivision Control Law.

Your project may require a plan of land completed by a registered land surveyor as part of the review and permitting processes. The Town does not make recommendations for registered land surveyors or other professionals; however, a list of licensed land surveyors and engineers is available through the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensures. Additionally, the Massachusetts Association of Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers (MALSCE) provides information regarding civil engineers and land surveying.

If you would like to inquire about persons who have previously done work in the town, the records of our boards, committees, and commissions are public information, and you may review any plans and applications previously filed.

1) Determine the zoning district of the parcel using the mapping system

2) Review permitted property uses in the Table of Allowable Activity: view online or as a document (PDF).

3) Confirm with the Building Department and/or Planning Department

The zoning district for a specific parcel can be identified on parcel/property maps.

• Crawford Square Business District (CSBD)
• West Corners Business District (WCBD)
• North Randolph Business District (NRBD)
• Blue Hill River Highway District (BRHD)
• Great Bear Swamp Highway District (GBHD)
• Industrial District (ID)
• Orchard Street Business District (OSBD)
• Great Pond Commerce Center Overlay District (GPCCOD)
• Business District (BD)
• Business Professional District (BP)
• Sanitary Facility District (SFD)
• Residential Single Family High Density (RSHDD)
• Residential Single Family Medium Density (RSMDD)
• Residential Two-Family District (R2FD)
• Residential Multi-Family District (RMFD)
• Residential Multi-Family 55-Plus (RMF55+)
• Business Housing Authority District (BHAD)

A request to modify zoning is subject to a public hearing held by both the Planning Board and the Town Council. Requirements and applications are available in Forms and Applications. Contact the Planning Department for more information.

The Town of Randolph is on a quarterly tax system and taxes are due 4 times per year.  Tax due dates are on the first business day of August, November, February, and May.  If the 1^st falls on a weekend or holiday, taxes are due the following business day.

Fiscal Year 2025 Due Dates:

Q1 – August 1, 2024

Q2 – November 1, 2024

Q3 – February 3, 2025

Q4 – May 1, 2025

The Fiscal Year begins July 1st and ends June 30th.  Currently we are in FY2025, which began July 1, 2024 and will end June 30, 2025.

The Q1 bill due August 1st covers July 1st through September 30th. (Preliminary Tax bill)

The Q2 bill due November 1st covers October 1st through December 31st. (Preliminary Tax bill)

The Q3 bill due February 1st covers January 1st through March 31st. (Actual Tax bill)

The Q4 bill due May 1st covers April 1st through June 30th. (Actual Tax bill)

Real Estate and Personal Property – 14% Interest

Water/Sewer/Trash – 14% Interest

Motor Vehicle Excise – 12% Interest

Tax Titles Prior to November 1, 2024 – 16% Interest

Tax Titles After November 1, 2024 – 8% Interest

Interest rates are calculated on outstanding principle balances per annum.

No. Bills are considered paid when received by the Treasurer/Collector.  Postmark dates on envelopes are not accepted as the date of payment.  All payments are to be received by the Treasurer/Collector’s office by the due date.  Payments are processed the day they are received.  Late payments will incur interest/penalties.

No. Future-dated checks (aka post-dated checks) are not accepted.

If your check bounces, you will be responsible for a $25.00 fee in addition to the amount of the check that is returned, plus any accrued interest/fees

$50.00. A Municipal Lien Certificate (MLC) lists the outstanding tax and water bill liabilities on a property at a particular point in time. MLCs are only a current snapshot of what is on file for a given property at the time of request. Please contact our office prior to making payment to confirm the current amount and if balances are still outstanding.

Municipal Lien Certificate Request (PDF)

For information about obtaining an official verification of the zoning for a parcel, see the Zoning Verification Request Page.

The Zoning Board tries to use the meeting rooms on the main level at Town Hall either the Washington or Lincoln Room. If unavailable we will post notices as to where we will be located. 

Call 781-961-0930 or see Recreation Park Information. Please make sure to use one of the following addresses when filling out the place of marriage on the marriage certificate: Powers Farm- 592 North Main Street The Williams Gazebo- 200 North Street

Yes, but neither your home nor the ADU may be used as a short-term rental (example: AirBnB, VRBO)

1. An ADU is a small independent living unit on the same lot as a single-family home.  

• An ADU can be located WITHIN a single-family home such as in a lower level, 
• ATTACHED to a single-family home (an addition), or 
• DETACHED from the main home  

No larger than 50% of the main home OR 900 square feet – whichever is smaller.

That depends on the size of the unit, the location on your property and other factors. The Building Inspector can provide more information.

There are no restrictions on who may live in any ADU or main residence. The number of people that can live in either is based on building, health and fire codes. 

Complete an application with the Randolph Building Department available HERE. 

Please see “Documents section". If you have a pre-existing unit that you want reviewed, please check the “pre-existing” box on the form. Otherwise, check the “new construction” box.

•The Town's ADU Ordinance may be found here: https://ecode360.com/13201817 

•The State’s ADU regulations may be found here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/accessory-dwelling-units   

All ADU’s must meet the current state and local requirements.

If your unit was lawfully constructed before February 2025, it must have:

• Been granted a Special Permit by the Town;
• Have the Special Permit recorded at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds; and,
• Received building permits and completed all required inspections.

Research recorded special permits on your property here: https://norfolkresearch.org/ 

Contact the Building Department at 781-961-0921 for information on inspections, permits, and other approvals that have been issued for your property.

If there is no proof that permits were obtained, the unit is not “pre-existing, non-conforming” and may not be legal.  To have it approved as a legal ADU, you will need to submit a building permit application together with architectural plans that show that the unit meets (or will meet) current code standards.  The Building Inspector will review the application and any available records, and conduct an inspection of your property.

When the Building Inspector checks the structure, some things that will be reviewed are the number of ways a resident can get into and out of the unit, plumbing, cooling/heating, and wiring. If any electrical or plumbing work was done already, the walls may have to be opened so the Inspector can see the work and make sure it meets all codes.

Yes, if an addition to the main home or a completely separate structure is being proposed. 

It depends on whether sprinklers are already installed in the main house and how close the house is to emergency access points for the Fire Department.

A main line for each utility will come to the property to support both units.   Then, the lines will be separated to serve the main residence and ADU.  Since the two units may be occupied by different households, an ADU must function independently of the principal dwelling unit in terms of all utilities.

The ADU will not have a separate Town-owned water or sewer meter.  The property owner may install a submeter to track water and other utility use in the ADU separately from the main unit.   The property owner will continue to be responsible for payment of all Town utilities for both units.

It’s possible.  They should be reviewed to determine whether they can serve the ADU and the main unit.   You may need to upgrade your existing system or add a new connection for an ADU at your own expense.  A flow test or pressure test may help you determine if your existing system can serve both units. 

For information on Water/Sewer systems, contact the Town's Department of Public Works (DPW) at 781-961-0940 and the Town’s Engineering Department at 781-961-0950

Yes. Every dwelling unit needs to have a unique address for identification and safety purposes. The address number is assigned by the Engineering Department upon approval of construction plans.  It is shared with all Town Departments, the postal service and other organizations. When you prepare your application for a building permit, use the address of the existing home on the property.

It is possible. The construction of an ADU is considered an improvement to your property. The Town’s Assessor reviews each parcel to determine its value.  The property tax bill for the parcel is sent to the property owner of that whole parcel that includes ALL structures. That person is responsible for the full property tax bill.

Yes, both are required for the ADU. The property will have a trash fee for the main residence AND a trash fee for the ADU.

There are currently no grant or loan programs available.

Yes.  For more information regarding online payments, please visit the Online Bill Payment & Donations tab.   Card payments are NOT accepted in person at the window.  

No, but you can pay bills online, please visit the Online Bill Payment & Donations tab.   

Please make checks payable to "Town of Randolph."   Please include your remit or reference your bill number, account number, or address on the face of your check.  

If your real estate tax account shows a payment that you or your mortgage company or closing attorney did not make, you should make your tax payment as required so there is a credit available for the Town to refund the mistaken payor. If any payment(s) posted to your account was/were in fact erroneous, it is conceivable that you may be contacted in the future for reimbursement by the payor(s) who made the payment(s) in error, or by the Town of Randolph. If you have an escrow account with your mortgage company, be aware that it may be affected by any payment errors made by third party payors. Mortgage companies and banks sometimes make payment errors. We do not bill them, they electronically choose the accounts upon which they wish to pay.  The Town does not have control over erroneous payments made online towards your account.

Please complete this form and forward the request to our office. Requests are processed in the order of which they were received.  

If your check bounces, you will be responsible for a $25.00 fee in addition to the amount of the check that is returned, plus any accrued interest/fees

Chapter 60A of Massachusetts General Law imposes an excise for the privilege of registering a motor vehicle in Massachusetts. If you have a Massachusetts license plate on your car (or in your possession), you must pay Excise tax, a yearly tax, based on the value of the car on which the plate was registered. All bills must be reconciled within 30 days by either payment in full, or abatement in full. The largest Excise tax billing commitment is usually billed in March and due in April. However, you could receive an Excise bill at any time during the year, depending on when you registered your car and when the Registry of Motor Vehicles generates a bill.

Excise tax information originates with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. The address that the license plate was registered to on January 1 determines where the tax bill for that year will be mailed. If you move January 2nd, the bill will still go to the January 1 address. Failure to receive a bill does not excuse you from the tax or fees that accrue on outstanding tax bills. Change your forwarding address with the US Postal Service so that you receive your Excise bills. Contact the Treasurer/Collector’s office if you do not receive a bill. For questions about making payment, contact the Collector’s office. For all other questions, i.e. valuation, other tax questions, contact the Assessor’s Office.

For more information, please visit Mass.gov

Pay the bill. Read the back of the bill. Contact the Assessing Department. If a tax abatement is granted by the Assessing Department, you will receive a refund of any tax overpaid. You will be responsible for paying fees and interest charges that accrue on unpaid bills even if the Assessing Department grants an abatement of a portion of the tax.

Pay the bill. Read the back of the bill. Contact the Assessing Department. If a tax abatement is granted by the Assessing Department, you will receive a refund of any tax overpaid. You will be responsible for paying fees and interest charges that accrue on unpaid bills even if the Assessing Department grants an abatement of a portion of the tax.

Initial and Demand excise bills can be paid here 

Excise bills that are in Warrant/Non-renewal status can be paid here

Payment of the motor vehicle excise is due 30 days from the date the excise bill is issued (not mailed, as is popularly believed). According to Chapter 60A, section 2 of the Massachusetts General Laws, “Failure to receive notice shall not affect the validity of the excise”. A person who does not receive a bill is still liable for the excise plus any interest charges accrued. Therefore, it is important to keep the Registry, local assessors, and the post office informed of a current name and address so that excise bills can be delivered promptly. All owners of motor vehicles must pay an excise tax; therefore, it is the responsibility of the owner to contact the local assessor if he/she has not received a bill.

Interest on Motor Vehicle Excise bills accrues at 12% per annum from the day after the due date.  If the excise is not paid two weeks after the due date, the Treasurer/Collector will issue a $25.00 demand fee. If the demand is not answered within 14 days, the Treasurer/Collector will issue a warrant to the Deputy Tax Collector, which incurs another $10.00 and $12.00 fee. If there is still no response, a service fee of $17.00 and a service warrant will be delivered to the taxpayer at their residence. Finally, the taxpayer’s vehicle registration and operators license will be marked at the RMV for non-renewal, along with an additional $20.00 fee. 

For more information, please visit Mass.gov

No, payment for excise bills must be paid in full including all accrued interest and fees.

Property tax is an assessment on the ownership of real and personal property. An owner’s property tax is based on the assessment, which is the full and fair cash value of the property.
Each year, local assessors in Massachusetts have a constitutional and statutory duty to assess all property at its full and fair cash value under Massachusetts General Law. As of each January 1st, local assessors must classify all real property.  Randolph has two classes of tax, residential and commercial.

Personal property generally includes tangible items that are not firmly attached to land or buildings and are not considered to be part of the real estate, for example, merchandise, furniture, machinery, tools, animals and equipment.

Community Preservation Act (CPA). In addition to your real estate tax, the Town has approved a surcharge of 2% to be added to the bill. CPA funds are used to support and preserve open space, historic resources, community housing, and utilize land for recreational use.   

Failure to receive your property tax bill does not excuse you from payment of taxes, or from the interest and fees that accrue on the outstanding balance(s). A tax bill is generated and mailed for every parcel in the Town. It is the responsibility of the property owner to pay taxes regardless of receipt of a bill. Contact the Treasurer/Collector office to have a duplicate bill mailed to you.

You can access copies of your current bills here or by contacting the Treasurer/Collector’s office.

The tax rate is the amount a taxpayer owes for each one thousand dollars of property value in a given year.  This rate is set by Town Council and appears on your third quarter tax bill. The Tax Rate for FY2025 is $11.61 for Residential and $22.15 for Commercial.

A tax bill is generated for every parcel in the Town and is sent to the home owner.  Mortgage companies and tax servicers receive an electronic file from the Town.  We do not bill mortgage companies.  

Contact the Assessor’s office.

If your check bounces, you will be responsible for a $25.00 fee in addition to the amount of the check that is returned, plus any accrued interest/fees.

Reach out to your mortgage company. Credit balances are generally not refunded until the end of the fiscal year because all bills have not yet been issued or paid. A double payment or overpayment will be credited towards the next quarter tax due. If there is an overpayment on the May installment (4th quarter), or a credit balance exists after the May 1 tax installment is paid, a refund will be issued to the homeowner.  Credits do not automatically move forward from one Fiscal Year to another.

Taxes have not been paid. If you received a Demand notice, you should not ignore this bill. The Demand fee is $25.00 and cannot be waived.

If you received a bill and there is a statement of Prior Years Tax Outstanding, this means there are taxes past due on the property from a prior year, or that there is a Tax Title lien on the property. Contact our office for an exact pay-off amount as interest continues to accrue daily. Please mail these payments directly to Town Hall. The PO box on the remit (our bank’s lockbox service) is for current bills only. Lockbox only processes current bills with a remit slip/collector’s portion of bill.

An abatement is a reduction in the amount of a committed tax. A taxpayer may apply for abatement for the following reasons:

• Overvaluation 
• Disproportionate assessment 
• Misclassification of real property 
• Statutory exemption

Contact the Assessor’s office for more information, 781-961-0906.

An exemption is a release or discharge from the obligation to pay all or a portion of a local property tax. These exemptions can help reduce your tax burden and provide financial relief.

• Senior Citizens for those age 70+
• Veterans and Surviving Spouses 
• Blind or Disabled for those individuals with specific disabilities
• Community Preservation Act (CPA) for those age 60 or older
• As well as real estate tax deferrals for Qualifying Persons.

When Real Estate taxes are not paid on time and in full, a lien is placed on the property by operation of law.  An Instrument of Taking is filed with the Registry of Deeds. Once the lien amount is paid in full, a Certificate of Redemption is filed, clearing the lien. See MGL Chapter 60 for more information.  

The outstanding lien amount must be paid in full, including all interest and fees. Once paid, the Treasurer/Collector’s office will file the Redemption with the Registry of Deeds.

Unpaid utility bills for the prior fiscal year are moved to the current year tax bill in mid-December.  The delinquent amount, plus additional interest and fees will be liened on your third quarter Real Estate Tax bill.

Utility bills are issued quarterly and by district.

Contact Department of Public Works at 781-961-0940.  The Treasurer/Collector’s office does not adjust bills or read meters.

Please complete this form and forward the request to our office. Requests are processed in the order of which they were received.

No, we must charge and collected interest at the rate of 14% per annum on all outstanding water balances.

If you have a credit balance on your Utility account, it will be automatically transferred to your next bill.

When utilities bills are not paid in full and on time, past due charges are moved from the water account billing system and put into the real estate billing system. Mortgage lenders are notified of these liens via the electronic billing file they request. The delinquent amount, plus additional interest and fees will be liened on your third quarter Real Estate tax bill that is due February 1st.

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