Sewer Abatement Policies

Effective July 1, 2025

SENIOR ABATEMENT (including Blind & Disabled) 10% per EDU Annually

  • Applications must be filed after July 1st & within 60 days of the 2nd Sewer Bill mailing
  • Applicant must provide proof of age – 65 or older before July 1st of that fiscal year
  • Applicant must provide proof of residence – abatement only applies to the Senior’s primary residence
  • Applicant must provide proof of income: < 25K annually for Single Senior < 35K annually for Senior & Spouse/Other(s)

VACANCY ABATEMENT 33% per EDU each billing

  • Application for abatement must be filed with each bill, prior to the due date
  • Applicants will not be granted an abatement until all delinquent sewer fees are paid
  • The owner must sign an affidavit that the unit has been vacant for more than 6 months back from the date of billing
  • The owner must submit to inspection of vacant unit(s)
  • All units will continue to be billed until the unit is removed from the Assessor’s roles OR the sewer line has been capped and inspected by the Sewer Dept.
  • Not allowed for homes being offered for nightly/weekly rentals (Airbnb/Vrbo, etc.)
  • The property owner will only be allowed this exemption for 2 years in a row (for consecutive billing cycles)

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY 33% per EDU each billing

  • Application for abatement must be filed with each bill, prior to the due date
  • The owner must contact the Sewer Dept. within 30 days of closing
  • The owner will be responsible for all sewer fees until the next bill is issued
  • Applicants will not be granted an abatement until all delinquent sewer fees are paid
  • Seasonal recreation properties may be eligible for a higher % at the Town Managers discretion

LATE PENALTIES

  • Once the bill is past due, a demand fee equal to the demand fee for real estate will be charged. Interest will also be charged from the due date at the rate equal to the rate set for real estate

All Abatement Applications must be filled out correctly and dropped off or mailed to the Sewer Department:

Town of Palmer Waste Water Treatment Plant
1 Norbell Street
Three Rivers, MA 0108

Abatements will NOT be accepted at Town Hall. Please call the WWTP at (413) 283-2671 for questions regarding the policy or application.