Betterments

Communities may provide financial assistance to homeowners for the repair, replacement, or upgrade of failed septic systems using Betterment Agreements. On-site sewage disposal systems options include conventional septic systems (Title 5) as well as Innovative/Alternative (I/A) systems or connection to an existing sewer, if available.

• The community agrees to provide financial assistance to the homeowner to repair, replace and/or upgrade the on-site system or to do the work on the homeowner's behalf.
• If the homeowner contracts to have the work done, the homeowner agrees to repay, with interest, any money advanced by the community over an agreed upon period of time.
• If the community contracts to perform the work, the homeowner agrees to repay the community's costs, with interest, over an agreed upon period of time.
• The community establishes an account, similar to a loan, which will be paid back, over time, as an additional line item on the homeowner's real estate tax bill.
• The community may obtain a first priority "municipal lien" on the homeowner's property if the repayments are not made on time.
• Even if the community contracts to perform the work, the on-site system remains the property of the homeowner.

• Funds may be used for all costs necessary to repair or replace a failed on-site system or renovation of the existing system, including engineering and design costs.
• Costs incurred as they relate to hooking up to existing sewers, including the abandonment of the failed system.
• Costs expended in the replacement of a conventional on-site system with an approved Title 5-innovative/ alternative system.

The homeowner is liable for the repayment of all direct and indirect expenses incurred by the Board of Health in connection with the repair, replacement and/or upgrade of the on-site system. Usually, there is no penalty for an early payoff of a betterment loan. Otherwise, a homeowner pays off the betterment loan over time, as an additional line item on their property tax bill. If a betterment lien exists against a property, it jumps ahead of any other outstanding debt on the property.

• A community must enter into the Betterment program by a Town Meeting or City Council vote which approves the loan. There should be no additional taxes to the taxpayers of a participating community - the primary repayment obligation is undertaken by the homeowners receiving the betterment loans.
• Each community establishes priorities for making Betterment Agreements with homeowners through the local Board of Health
• Information on the availability of the Betterment Program is disseminated by local officials to the public
• Homeowners submit applications and petition Board of Health to enter into Betterment Agreements
• Board of Health reviews applications and develops a list of eligible homeowners
• Board of Health selects eligible homeowners based on criteria established locally and in accordance with state or local funding program requirements
• Eligible homeowners and Board of Health develop Betterment Agreement
• Notice of Betterment Agreement is recorded at the Registry of Deeds
• Board of Health undertakes its responsibilities under the Betterment Agreement.

For more detailed information on Betterments, contact your local Board of Health.