Frequently Asked Questions

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An assessment appeal is not a complaint about higher taxes. It is an attempt to prove that your property's estimated market value is either inaccurate or unfair.

You may appeal when you can prove at least one of three things:

• Items that affect value are incorrect on your property record. You have one bath, not two. You have a carport, not a garage. Your home has 1,600, not 2,000 square feet.
• The estimated market value is too high. You have evidence that similar properties have sold for less than the estimated market value of your property.
• The estimated market value of your property is accurate but inequitable because it is higher than the estimated value of similar properties.

Note: You will not win an appeal because you think your taxes are too high. This is an issue you must take up with the officials who determine budgets. However, you may be eligible for tax relief or exemptions. The assessor's office can give you information about exemptions.

Abatement Forms:

• Real Estate / Personal Property Abatement Application (PDF)
• Motor Vehicle Excise Abatement Application (PDF)

Finding the "full and fair cash value" or "market value" of a property involves discovering what similar properties are selling for, what the property would cost today to replace and what financial factors, such as interest rates, may be affecting the real estate market.

Valuation techniques for commercial and industrial properties also include analysis from an investment point of view, since the purchase price the buyer is willing to pay depends in part on the return he expects to receive.

A property's value can change for many reasons. The most obvious is that the property changes. A bedroom, garage, or swimming pool is added, or part of the property is destroyed by flood or fire. The most frequent cause of a change in value is a change in the market. If a town's major industry leaves, property values can collapse. As decaying neighborhoods with good housing stock are discovered by young homebuyers, prices gradually rise, and then may soar as the neighborhood becomes fashionable. A shortage of detached houses in a desirable city neighborhood can send prices to ridiculous levels. In a recession, larger homes may stay on the market for a long time, but more affordable homes are in demand, so their prices rise. In a stable neighborhood, with no extraordinary pressure from the market, inflation may increase property value.

If you believe the estimated value of your property is incorrect, you will want to know:

• How the assessor values property
• How to gather information about your property and similar properties.
• How the appeals process works and what the deadlines are

You also have a responsibility to furnish good information about your property to the assessor.

The answer to both is no.

Taxing authorities decide how much money the property tax has to raise each year, say $1 million. Assessors estimate the total assessed value of all taxable property, say $100 million. A tax rate is calculated by dividing the amount of tax to be raised by the total assessed value: $1 million divided by $100 million equals 1%

If your home's assessed value is $100,000, your tax bill will be: 0.01 times $100,000 equals $1,000

If total assessed value doubles to $200 million, and the amount to be raised stays the same, the tax rate will be: $1 million divided by $200 million equals 0.5%

Your taxes, if your home doubles in value, will still be $1,000: 0.005 times $200,000 equals $1,000

If assessed value increases, and the tax rate remains the same, taxes will rise. The taxing authorities are demanding more money, even though they have not changed the rate. 0.01 times $200,000 equals $2,000

The Assessor's office does not control the tax rate.

In the Assessor's office there is a counter terminal available for public use. With it you can verify ownership of property in Littleton.

Since most of the inhabitants of the town's two cemeteries are entered into a database, this information is only a phone call away. In the future, we hope that the database will be accessible from this website. Call Craig Sullivan, Superintendent at 978-540-2480 for more information about your ancestors' burial sites.

A grave is a single burial space while a lot is one or more contiguous burial spaces. Throughout most of the cemetery, lots consist of 1, 2, and 4 graves; in our new section 9, lots of any size can be purchased.

There are some areas in the cemetery where only flat markers are allowed. During the regular mowing season, you may not place anything on the graves that will interfere with mowing. This is explained very carefully when you purchase your lot.

Burial lots can be purchased by visiting the cemetery in the administration building at Westlawn Cemetery.

No, graves in the flat areas and monument areas are priced the same.

Cash or check may be used to purchase lots. Credit cards are not accepted. Town by-laws require full payment at the time of purchase.

No, in fact, you are not required to put a monument or flat marker on the lot.

This is the administration building which was built in 1993. It contains the superintendent's office and restrooms as well as two columbariums for the burial of cremains. Office hours are from 8 am to 2:30 pm.

Cremains are the cremated remains of a deceased person.

Yes, cremains can be buried in any lot and up to six cremains can be buried in a single full grave.

No, we no longer bury one casket above another.

Artificial flowers are allowed from November 1st to April 1st. Only real flowers may be used during the remainder of the year.

No potted or planted flowers are allowed in the flat marker areas. Any flowers will be removed prior to the next mowing or when they die.

Flowers may be planted in front of the monument extending only one foot beyond the stone. Any plants that are dead will be removed.

Yes, if you purchase the shrubs, our staff will plant them for you. There is a $50 fee for planting. The type of shrub must be approved by the cemetery superintendent prior to planting.

Book Club Kits are for children, young adults, and adults. New ones arrive regularly.

A Book Club Kit contains 15 paperback copies of one title, a discussion guide to assist book club leaders, and, when available, a large print copy of the same title, and a DVD or video relating to the book. These items are placed in a canvas tote for your convenience. Just grab it and go!

Kits can be reserved up to three years in advance so that your group can place reservations.  It can only be made through the separate Book Club Kit system.

For library services, we define a young adult as someone who is in middle school or high school. You might see us use the term "teen" interchangeably with "young adult” or “YA.”

We have a teen space that contains books as well as a selection of graphic novels, manga, audiobook Playaways, and non-fiction titles appropriate for a YA audience. Keep in mind that the rest of the library has a lot to offer young adult patrons as well! Our juvenile and adult collections, online databases, and inter-library loan (ILL) services, are all available and useful to teens. If you are looking for YA audiobooks on CD, you can find them shelved with the Adult audiobooks.

There are also work spaces, comfy chairs, and computers specifically for teen use.

We are proud to offer programs just for teens, so they can connect with each other, share their interests, and unwind from all the stresses of everyday life. See a complete list of clubs and events.

All of the librarians at the Reuben Hoar Library can assist young adults with their needs, but Megan is generally responsible for matters regarding the teen space and its users. James Taber also assists with teen services and is an experienced youth services librarian. They are also enthusiastic readers of YA books and love to give recommendations or just chat about what they've been reading recently.

Absolutely! Our YA books are chosen to appeal to as many middle- and high-schoolers as possible, but many readers find that their interests extend beyond the books on the YA shelves. Any time you need help finding a book that suits your needs, ask one of the librarians. Helping you find the perfect book is our favorite thing to do!

Lots of adults enjoy YA literature. These books tend to focus internally on character development, paying more attention to the turmoil and struggle inherent in the process of growing up rather than external adventures. YA books are often more straightforward in their presentation, which can be a relaxing change of pace for some.

The YA collection is open to everyone to browse and check out, but the computers, chairs, and games in the YA room are intended for tweens and teens only.

You can view the New York Times' young adult best sellers. It's perhaps the best source of staying up to date on what's trending in the market, but sometimes there's no accounting for taste.

When selling a home, it is a state requirement that the smoke detectors of the home be inspected by the local fire department prior to closing. This can be scheduled at any time by calling 978-540-2302; please note that someone is required to be present at the time of inspection. The current requirements are available. Please review them to ensure compliance before scheduling your inspection. The fee for this is $50 and a certificate is provided upon passing inspection. Please call fire prevention for further details.

Open burning runs from January 15th to April 30th. A valid permit is required, the permit can be obtained either by visiting the department or purchasing a permit online through fire prevention. The fee for this is $10.

Under Chapter 115 of Massachusetts General Laws (MGL Chapter 115), the Commonwealth provides a uniform program of financial and medical assistance for veterans and their dependents. Qualifying veterans and their dependents receive necessary financial assistance for food, shelter, clothing, fuel and medical care in accordance with a formula that takes into account the number of dependents and income from all sources.

By contacting the Veteran Service Office and asking to apply for Chapter 115 benefits. Eligible veterans and/or their family members must meet certain income criteria and their military experience must meet the Commonwealth's requirements.

Chapter 115 benefits are not taxable income. You must report this income when applying for or renewing subsidized housing applications, Section 8 applications, and SNAP applications.

You must apply for Chapter 115 in the town of which you reside. Each town in the Commonwealth has a veteran service agent. View a listing of veterans agents by town.

Chapter 60A, Section 1 of the Massachusetts General Laws provides excise tax exemptions for vehicles owned by certain disabled individuals and veterans, ex-prisoners of war and their surviving spouses and certain charitable organizations. Please contact the Assessor's office at 978-540-2410 for further details on eligibility.

Contact the Assessor's office at 978-540-2410 for an application for abatement or you can fill in and print out a Motor Vehicle Abatement Application Form (PDF). Follow the directions on the form and send it to the Assessor's Office at:
37 Shattuck Street
Littleton, MA 01460

Note: On unpaid excise tax bills, an owner risks incurring late fees and penalties if an abatement is not granted.

If the service warrant demanding final payment is not paid, the deputy collector may then notify the Registry of Motor Vehicles of such non-payment. The Registry will then mark the individual's registration preventing the renewal of the motor vehicle registration and the owner's driver's license. The taxpayer will then be assessed a $20 mark fee in addition to all other penalties and interest. It is the policy of the Town of Littleton to not release any marked bill until all outstanding Delinquent Excise Tax bills for a taxpayer are paid in full. Once full payment is made for all delinquent excise bills, the town will electronically release the Mark at the RMV. This will enable the motorist to return to the Registry and renew his/her license or registration. To request your balance on a bill that has gone to warrant, you may contact the Deputy Tax Collector at 508-473-9660.

Change of addresses for Excise Tax are done through the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. When you change the address for your vehicle registration plates, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles will send that information to our office and our files will be changed.

Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Change of Address Form - Instructions on how to change your address on line.

Once the value of the vehicle is determined, an excise at the rate of $25 per thousand is assessed. Excise tax is assessed annually, on a calendar year basis, by the assessors of the city or town in which the vehicle is garaged.

If the motor vehicle is registered after January 31, it is taxed for the period extending from the first day of the month in which it is registered to the end of the calendar year. For example, if a vehicle is registered on April 30, it will be taxable as of April 1, for the nine months of the year (April through December) and the excise due; therefore, will be 9/12 of the full excise. In no event shall the excise be assessed for less than $5, nor shall an abatement or refund under Section 1 Chapter 60A reduce an excise to less than $5.

Abatement applications can be filed if:

• The owner believes the assessment is incorrect, or;
• If the vehicle was traded, or;
• If the vehicle was stolen, or;
• If the vehicle was sold during the year in which it is being taxes and the registration was properly cancelled/transferred, or;
• If the owner moved from the Town of Littleton to another city or town, before January 1 and has proof they contacted Registry of Motor Vehicles to change garaging code;
• If the owner moved to another state and registered the vehicle and cancelled the registration in Massachusetts, or;
• If the registration is cancelled, it is most important to return the plate(s) to the Registry of Motor Vehicles and to obtain a return plate receipt. When an abatement is granted, excise bills are prorated by the month, thus the owner is responsible for the excise accrued through the month in which the car was last registered to him/her.

Taxes should be paid as billed. However, if for some reason you are unable to do so, Massachusetts Law mandates that interest, at a rate of 14% per annum, be added to the tax computed from the date the tax was due through the date of payment. In all cases, each Fiscal Year's tax must be paid in full on or before the May 1st due date to avoid any unfortunate collection action from the town.

The Assessor's office must receive abatement applications within 3 years after the excise is due or within one year after the excise is paid, whichever is later.

Example: Assume that an excise tax bill is due on February 25, 2011. The abatement deadline would be February 25, 2014, or one year after the payment of the bill, whichever is later.

If the bill remains unpaid and outstanding more than 30 days after its issue date, it will continue to accrue interest and other charges and fees for which you will be responsible. Your driver's license and/or vehicle registration will also be submitted to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles for non-renewal action.

First check with the Office of the Board of Assessors to see if you qualify for a tax exemption or a tax deferral. Certain types of exemptions and deferrals are available to property owners who meet stated criteria. If you still owe property taxes, and are unable to pay, please contact the Collector's Office as soon as possible. While we are unable to eliminate the property tax, interest or fees, we are here to help in any way we can and are able to listen to your situation and offer possible solutions. Remember, if you find yourself in this type of situation, the sooner you contact us, the better able we are to offer guidance.

If you move within Massachusetts and have not paid an excise tax for the current year, you should pay the motor vehicle excise to the city or town in which the vehicle was registered on January 1.

The excise for any particular year is due to the municipality in which the vehicle was registered on January 1 of that year. In the case of any person who moves during any particular registration year, the excise will be due to the city or town where the vehicle was registered on January 1 of that calendar year.

If a motor vehicle owner moves out of Massachusetts and has an excise tax for the current year, he/she should file an application with the Assessor's office for abatement together with the following:

• Registration form from the new State or Country, and
• Plate Return Receipt from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles

Contact the Assessor's Office at 978-540-2410 for an application for abatement or you can fill in and print out a Motor Vehicle Abatement Application Form (PDF). Follow the directions on the form and send it to:
Assessor's Office
P.O. Box 1305
Littleton, MA 01460

The Assessor's Office can then adjust the bill to reflect only the part of the year the vehicle was registered in the state, and grant the proper abatement. The bill is prorated back to the last day of the month in which the vehicle was registered in the state of Massachusetts. In no event shall the excise abatement be for less than $5, nor shall an abatement or refund under Section 1 of Chapter 60A reduce an excise tax to less than $5.

Note: It is important to remember that the bill for a vehicle that is no longer registered in the state of Massachusetts should not be ignored. On unpaid excise tax bills, an owner risks incurring late fees and penalties if an abatement is not granted.

If an excise bill is received for a vehicle or trailer that has been sold, the seller must:

• Return the plate(s) to the Registry of Motor Vehicles and obtain a return plate receipt or transfer plate to another vehicle
• File an application with the Assessor's office for abatement together with the following:
  • Return plate receipt and
  • The bill of sale

Contact the Assessor's office at 978-540-2410 for an application for abatement or you can fill in and print out a Motor Vehicle Abatement Application Form (PDF). Follow the directions on the form and send it to:
Assessor's Office
37 Shattuck Street
Littleton, MA 01460

The Assessor's Office can then adjust the bill to reflect the ownership for only part of the year, and grant the proper abatement. The bill is prorated back to the last day of the month in which the vehicle was owned and the excise bill on the new vehicle will be prorated s of the date the new vehicle was registered. In no event shall the excise abatement be for less than $5, nor shall an abatement or refund under Section 1 of Chapter 60A reduce an excise tax to less than $5.

Note: It is important to remember that the bill for a vehicle you no longer own should not be ignored. On unpaid excise tax bills, an owner risks incurring late fees and penalties if an abatement is not granted.

If an excise bill is received for a vehicle which was traded and which was not owned in the calendar year stated on the bill, you should:

• Pay the bill and file an application for abatement with the Assessor's Office.
• If the license plates were transferred to the new vehicle, provide a copy of the New Registration Form and the Purchase Agreement citing the vehicle as Trade-In.

Or:

• If the license plates were returned to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles provide a copy of the Plate Return Receipt and the Purchase Agreement citing the vehicle as Trade-In.
• Provide a copy of your completed application for abatement along with all supporting documentation to the Assessor's Office.

Contact the Assessor's office at 978-540-2410 for an application for abatement or you can fill in and print out a Motor Vehicle Abatement Application Form (PDF). Follow the directions on the form and send it to the Assessor's Office at 37 Shattuck Street Littleton, MA 01460

The Assessor's Office can then adjust the bill to reflect the ownership for only part of the year, and grant the proper abatement. The bill is prorated back to the last day of the month in which the vehicle was owned and the excise bill on the new vehicle will be prorated as of the date the new vehicle was registered. In no event shall the excise abatement be for less than $5, nor shall an abatement or refund under Section 1 of Chapter 60A reduce an excise tax to less than $5.

Note: It is important to remember that the bill for a vehicle you no longer own should not be ignored. On unpaid excise tax bills, an owner risks incurring late fees and penalties if an abatement is not granted.

If the vehicle is totaled the owner may be entitled to an abatement if he/she provides the Assessor's office with a copy of the following documentation:

• Insurance Company documentation stating the vehicle is a total loss and showing the date of loss
• Plate Return Receipt from the Registry of Motor Vehicles or New Registration if plate was transferred
• A completed application for a motor vehicle excise tax abatement

Contact the Assessor's Office at 978-540-2410 for an application for abatement or you can fill in and print out a Motor Vehicle Abatement Application Form from the Assessor's web page. Follow the directions on the form and send it to:
Assessor's Office
P.O. Box 1305
Littleton, MA 01460

The Assessor's Office can then adjust the bill to reflect the ownership for only part of the year, and grant the proper abatement. The bill is prorated back to the last day of the month in which the vehicle was owned and the excise bill on the new vehicle will be prorated as of the date the new vehicle was registered. In no event shall the excise abatement be for less than $5, nor shall an abatement or refund under Section 1 of Chapter 60A reduce an excise tax to less than $5.

Note: It is important to remember that the bill for a vehicle you no longer own should not be ignored. On unpaid excise tax bills, an owner risks incurring late fees and penalties if an abatement is not granted.

Payment of the motor vehicle excise is due within 30 days from the date the excise bill is issued (not mailed).

Note: 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 Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles and the United States Postal Service informed of a current name and address so that excise bills can be delivered promptly. Vehicle owners who do not receive an excise tax bill should contact the Office of the Collector.

• Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise Abatement Application (PDF)
• Affidavit For Cancellation of Registration for Lost or Stolen Plate(s) (PDF)
• Mass General Laws, Chapter 60A
• Division of Local Services
• Massachusetts Department of Revenue

The Tax Collector is utilizing the services of Kelley and Ryan Associates, Inc. as our Deputy Collector. For the convenience of our residents, we accept payment for excise tax warrants in our office at town hall or you may pay at Kelley and Ryan's offices located in the following Registry of Motor Vehicles locations of Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Revere, Taunton, Wilmington and Worcester. You may also pay online at at the Kelley and Ryan Associates, Inc. website.

Local tax collectors are responsible for collecting the motor vehicle and trailer excise. Generally, tax collectors and deputy tax collectors do not accept partial payment of an Excise bill. Taxpayers should be prepared to pay the full amount due. There are no special considerations for financial hardship.

The Town of Littleton is excited to offer you Citizen Self-Service for you to look up Real Estate bills, balances, payments, assessments and more. A common question we receive, especially as residents gather their personal information to file their annual income tax return, is "Can I check how much I paid last year for Real Estate taxes?" View Step-by-Step Instructions for Citizen Self Service (PDF).

The Planning Board typically meets at 6:30 pm on the first Thursday evening of every month. Due to holidays or other circumstances, these dates are subject to change. For a current schedule please call the Planning Board office at 978-540-2425.

The Town of Littleton Subdivision of Land Regulations is published as Section 249 of the Town Code.

The Littleton Planning Board reviews applications for commercial and residential development and redevelopment. The Planning Board is responsible for developing and reviewing zoning proposals, reviewing land development applications, and the Local Comprehensive Plan (Master Plan). The Littleton Planning Board holds public hearings on land subdivisions and certain development applications as well as zoning changes. For zoning changes, the Planning Board makes recommendations to Town Meetings.

The Littleton Planning Board also schedules "informal discussions" regarding development plans at Planning Board meetings, to provide input and advice to potential applicants, prior to the formal application process. There is no charge for an "informal discussion"; please contact the Planning Board office to schedule this on an upcoming Planning Board agenda.

The Planning Board is comprised of five members who are elected for five-year terms.

The Subdivision Control Law serves to protect the safety, convenience, and welfare of the town's inhabitants by regulating the laying out and construction of ways in subdivisions providing access to the lots therein, but which have not become public ways and ensuring sanitary conditions.

The Littleton Zoning Bylaws can be viewed or downloaded from the Littleton website: the Town Code tab; Section 173. Printed copies can be purchased for $15 at the Building Department Office.

A subdivision is a division of land into two or more lots and typically involves the creation of a new road. An ANR is the division of land into lots with frontage on existing roads, whether public or private. The Planning Board endorses ANR's certifying that approval under the Subdivision Control Law is not required.

A zoning map is viewable on the Town’s GIS map. Zoning is also shown on the Assessor's maps, with some exceptions. You may also call or come into the Planning Board office for assistance in determining your zoning district.

The application fee is determined by several factors: type of project, square footage, number of lots, etc. Please consult our fee schedule on the website or in our office.

You may come into the Planning Department and discuss potential uses with the Planning Administrator/Permit Coordinator at any time. Zoning District and Zoning Bylaw Use Codes will be considered, but the Building Commissioner is the definitive authority on zoning.

This information is contained in the Intensity of Use Schedule printed on the last page of the Littleton Zoning Bylaws (either online or at our office).

Chapter 40A Section 9 provides us with up to 65 days from the close of the hearing to record a Special permit with the Town Clerk. Typically, it takes up to 14 days from the date the Board approves the permit to write up the Final Decision and have it stamped in with the Clerk's Office. A 20-day appeal period follows after which time, if no appeals are filed, the applicant should contact the Town Clerk for a certified copy of the Final Decision. The applicant must then have that document recorded at the South Middlesex County Registry of Deeds. They are then free to pursue their building permit (which may take up to an additional 30 days).

You may call and set up an appointment to meet with the Planning Administrator/Permit Coordinator or drop by the Planning Office. If you have any relevant plans to your project bring them with you. We will be happy to answer any of your questions and discuss potential pitfalls or possibilities related to your project. If you would like to meet with several department heads in one meeting, please call the Planning Office two weeks ahead and schedule a Staff Review. There is no charge for this service.

The proposed 40R Smart Growth District would provide more sustainable housing options for residents of all ages and would provide housing for households with a wider range of socioeconomic backgrounds than Littleton's standard 5-bedroom colonial on a 1-acre lot. This zoning bylaw amendment is based on the foundational planning work of the community: the April 2017 Littleton Master Plan "Cultivating the Future" and the January 2020 Littleton Station Village Vision Plan (PDF), all as brought forward by the work of the Littleton Station Area Committee over the past several months. This zoning bylaw amendment will set the table for the property owner(s) and developers to provide environmentally friendly, resource-efficient, climate resilient, and socially equitable housing.

Yes. The purpose of the Planning Board's public hearing was to gather additional input from residents. If the 40R Smart Growth District bylaw is approved, and the property owner or developer applies to the Planning Board for approval of a specific plan, public input would also be considered at that time. This 40R Zoning Bylaw amendment will be on the June 12 Town Meeting for a vote by all Littleton residents present. Please email Town Planner Maren Toohill with your comments/questions.

Yes. There is evidence of significant demand for new housing units at this site. A search for "housing crisis Massachusetts" highlights current references. Littleton understands that our inventory of homes is not adequate to meet the demand for Littleton residents; the Council on Aging recently re-formed the Housing Subcommittee to address this issue. Further information on housing needs for subsidized housing units and market-rate apartments, condos, townhomes, and starter home-style housing units at the Affordable Housing Trust page.

The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development provides the framework/regulations for the price points for ownership and rental units, the definitions, the process for local preference whereby up to 70% of the units can include a local preference for current Littleton households, households with a family member who works in Littleton, and households with a child in Littleton schools. 25% of the new housing units in a Littleton Station 40R Smart Growth District would be deed-restricted affordable units, and both rental units and ownership units are anticipated at this location.

So apartments, condos, townhouses, starter homes, and possibly cottage dwellings, all ranging from studio and 1-bedroom apartments to 3-bedroom units can be anticipated. Pricing, sales, rentals, and a robust Fair Housing outreach process are required for all deed-restricted affordable housing units; the developer hires a housing specialist/lottery agent for the initial sales, and an onsite rental company manages the affordable rental process. Long-term monitoring of rental and sales/re-sales of affordable units is the responsibility of a monitoring agent, overseen by the Town, and would be outlined in the deed restrictions placed on affordable units. This process, including rental rates, price points, and selection process is set by the State, using HUD guidelines to assure compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act. The 2020 sales price for an affordable unit in Littleton is approximately $205,000 for 1-bedroom units and $229,400 for 2-bedroom units.

A 2017 report by our regional planning consultant, MAPC, as relayed by School Committee member Mike Fontanella to the Select Board, there is little, if any, correlation between the number of new housing units in a community and the number of school children. Visit the MAPC’s report enrollment page. The Town is continually monitoring student populations, and has been planning for meeting the needs of Littleton students for a very long time. If a new building/addition, staff, or program is needed to educate all of Littleton’s students, Littleton residents have always stepped up to make certain it happens. Littleton can point to results with the initial build-out of the 200-unit "15 Great Road" development: 144 apartment units and 56 single-family home ownership units resulted in 35 new students in the Littleton School District.

The Town has approved the reconstruction of Foster Street from Taylor Street to Balsam Lane utilizing Federal funding; that construction would occur in 2024 and the design includes a multi-use path; visit the Foster Street TIP project page for details. The section of Foster Street from Harwood Avenue to Tahattawan Road would be the next section to be reconstructed, and the design is at the 25% stage; construction of this section is likely for 2025 or 2026. That would be followed by the section of Foster Street from Balsam Lane to Harwood Avenue, including the reconfiguration of the intersection with Harwood Avenue. Development of the proposed 40R Smart Growth District, if approved at Town Meeting, followed by an application and Planning Board approval for a development proposal at this site, could occur over a similar timeframe.

Detailed information on property values of existing homes when new development that includes affordable housing was just published in Banker and Tradesman, and Redfin, see links above.

In a post-pandemic world, it is difficult to predict the "right" number of parking spaces, but Littleton has made accommodations for the following parking options in addition to the 200-plus spaces currently at the station (1) Development at 245 Foster Street could include up to 200 new commuter parking spaces; (2) The last-mile-delivery warehouse at 151 and 153 Taylor Street will include 30 commuter parking spaces; (3) The multi-use path will provide a new link to existing private, underutilized parking lots, allowing owners of those commercial buildings to lease commuter parking.

The prior version of the 40R Zoning Bylaw (PDF) and proposed 40R District Map (PDF).

Updates for Jan. 28, 2021 Meeting:

• Proposed Draft 40R Zoning Bylaw for Littleton (PDF)
• Illustrated Littleton Station 40R Design Standards - Draft (PDF)

Visit the Chapter 40R Massachusetts Government page.

The State website includes a full description, resources, news, and detailed information about the Chapter 40R program. Chapter 40R seeks to substantially increase the supply of housing across the State and decrease its cost, by increasing the amount of land zoned for "dense" housing - for Littleton, this means housing choices other than only single-family housing.

• Building on Our Heritage: A Housing Strategy for Smart Growth and Economic Development (Executive Summary)
• Understanding the Relationship Between Public Health and the Built Environment
• Growing Cooler: The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change (Executive Summary) (PDF)
• Littleton Station 40R District Design Standards - Draft - January 13, 2021 (PDF)

The purpose of the public classification hearing is for the Board of Selectmen to determine the allocation of the local property tax to be borne by the four classes of real property plus personal property for the fiscal year. In deciding the allocation, the Selectmen must adopt a residential factor, which is used in calculating the percentage of the tax levy to apply to each class of real and personal property.

Long Lake Beach Membership allows you to use and park at Long Lake Beach for the membership season.

No, Long Lake is a great pond and we have received state funding for projects.  This means everyone is welcome!

The purpose of the annual pass is to support the operating cost of Long Lake Beach.  The system is such that all beachgoers contribute to the beach operations. The beach access is enforced uniformly whether you walk, ride a bike, or drive to the beach. 

Your tax dollars do not pay for the operation of Long Lake Beach. Everything we do is self-funded. While the cost of the beach operation is mainly attributed to the lifeguards, we also need to pay for training, beach cleanup at the beginning and end of the day, septic tank (tight tank) pumping, trash removal, and overall upkeep of the buildings and equipment, etc. 

Yes. If you don’t have a beach pass, you can pay the daily rate. Your daily payment will be logged under your name. If you choose to later buy a membership, you can put the daily fees that you’ve already paid towards the membership. 

There will be a staff member monitoring the beach.  Once you have been "checked in" you will be issued a wristband for the day.  If wristbands are visible, you most likely would not hear from staff again. 

If you have further questions, please email Littleton Parks and Recreation. Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm.

Your Parking Permit expires on December 31st.

Parking is extremely limited at Long Lake Beach and the adjacent street.  Once our parking lot is filled we do need to close the parking lot and ask additional vehicles to park at Shaker Lane Elementary School until spaces become available.

Your Long Lake Beach Parking Permit is not valid until you affix it to your vehicle. We strongly prefer it to be on the windshield in the lower driver’s side corner where our recreation staff can most easily see it. If your Permit is not affixed to your vehicle, you will be charged parking at the appropriate rate or denied entry. Permits may not be laminated or taped to your windshield. If you are having difficulty placing it on your car, the recreation attendant can help you on your first visit to the beach.

The By-Law was adopted for the purpose of protecting the historic and aesthetic qualities of the Town by encouraging owners to preserve, rehabilitate or restore buildings or structures whenever possible. It is targeted at structures that express the cultural and economic heritage, and social history of Littleton.

No, the Demolition Delay cannot prevent anyone from demolishing a property they own. It provides a waiting period for historic properties.

The Massachusetts Historical Commission defines historic resources as those that are greater than 50 years old. Of course, all properties more than 50 years in age may not be worthy of preservation. The Delay allows time to make that assessment.

The Delay is only applied if you ask for a demolition permit from the Building Commissioner.

Yes, the town is in Phase 2 of a project to survey historic resources (buildings and properties) in Littleton. Phase 1 was funded with town funds and a matching grant from the state. Phase 2 was funded at town meeting. When the survey is completed approximately 180 historic properties will be included.

A copy of Phase 1 of the Inventory, which covers over 100 properties, is in the Littleton Reuben Hoar Library with other historic information about Littleton. The materials are in loose leaf binders in order to make it easier for interested parties to make copies.

The Littleton Historical Commission (LHC) sponsors several activities to promote the history of the area. Annually the LHC holds a Preservation Workshop at the Old Burying Ground on King Street. This workshop is open to any town residents and provides an opportunity to work with preservation specialists in righting fallen gravestones, repairing broken monuments, and recording and photographing the cemetery's contents. Contact the LHC for dates. The LHC also sponsors the annual Patriot's Day celebration, held at Liberty Square on April 19. Liberty Square was the place where Littleton area residents drilled in preparation for the Revolutionary War. This ceremony, held in the evening on the actual Patriot's Day anniversary, provides an opportunity to reflect on the service of the patriots.

The Littleton Historical Commission (LHC) is currently sponsoring a project to place signs on historic properties. A signmaker in Rhode Island who works with many local communities has been commissioned to make a "Littleton" sign style. If you are interested in a sign for your property, please contact the LHC through the webmaster of this site.

Each year the Littleton Historical Commission (LHC) presents several preservation awards to properties in town that reflect the agricultural, historic, and cultural qualities of the town. Awards have been given to individual homeowners, commercial properties, individuals, and in one instance, to the beavers that keep reminding us that we live in the country! Suggestions for awards can be made to any member of the commission.

Yes, there is interest in redeveloping using FBC. For example, Northern Bank, who has been working on a redevelopment plan has approached the Planning Board and has been working cooperatively to incorporate their proposal and provide constructive feedback towards the proposed bylaw. The owners of the elastic factory at 410 Great Road have expressed interest in pursuing a mixed-use redevelopment for that site; and the owners of the IBM site are interested in looking at how re-use of the historic Tuttle House at 538 King Street could be accomplished.

At 2018 fall Town Meeting, residents voted to appropriate $42,000 to study and draft FBC, which is Article 24 at 2020 spring Town Meeting. FBC is one of several projects to transform the Common. Other public improvement projects to fulfill the vision include traffic calming, shuttles to/from the train station, and sewer, which are the purview of other Boards, not the Planning Board. To facilitate guidance regarding the Common, in Spring 2020, the Littleton Common Revitalization Committee was established with a member representing the Planning Board, Housing Trust, Sewer Working Group, and Transportation Advisory, Economic Development and Finance Committees. A member of the Board of Selectmen currently chairs this committee.

Positive. An initial economic analysis conducted in the Revitalization Roadmap (PDF), p. 71-72, shows revenues to retail, food services, professional and tech services and residential rents at $49M. Based on this scenario and current tax rates, incremental revenue to the Town could be $275k. This assumes likely build-out in the Common as modeled. Redevelopment is ultimately dependent on private interests, land value, and construction cost. As such, likely build-out under the FBC bylaw could take decades.

Housing, including apartments, currently exists in the Common district, so that aspect is not new. The Revitalization Roadmap (PDF), p. 71, summarizes housing at full build-out over many years, in every possible space, up to 193 units. Some developers may not want housing, but if they do, the number of units in each development is limited by the parking made available, which must comply with the bylaw. Sections 173-221J and 173-224 of the proposed zoning bylaw (PDF) explain this parking requirement. Housing in the Common is intended to allow a wider range of housing options for folks trying to build life as an adult and folks trying to preserve the life they have built in Littleton.

Typically when new housing is discussed it is understandable to think that means more children in the school system. However, a recent study from the Massachusetts Area Planning Council (MAPC) presented by Littleton School Committee in 2018 (PDF), shows that is not the case. MAPC observed no meaningful correlation between housing production rates and enrollment growth over a six-year period, and projected the number of children in Littleton under age 15 to fall by more than 500. Based on the parking requirements of the proposed zoning bylaw, it is anticipated that most of the new housing will be smaller units appealing to our seniors and younger populations.

Yes, because developers would have clearer development direction than currently exists. In the last ten years, only one project (235 Great Rd) has been developed using the existing zoning.

Sample Answer

The construction and outfitting of the new school are projected to total $104.2 million. This estimate comes from an independent cost estimator who based the projection on the conceptual designs of the building. The projected cost includes a contingency for potential future cost increases. The feasibility study was financed with funds previously saved by the Town, which will not require borrowing for this project.

Yes, the Town has been accepted into the selective Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) program.  Any funds provided by the MSBA to the Town towards the project will reduce the net project cost that the Town will be responsible for.

The Town has and will continue to investigate ways to reduce the impact of the project on taxpayers. 

Early on, the square footage of the building was reduced by approximately 4,000 sq ft while still providing adequate space for all of the educational programs. This reduction is significant given estimated construction costs per square foot in the $850 range.

The Select Board and Finance committee will continue to put funds aside in the newly created School Building Stabilization Fund to reduce the impact of the debt exclusion on taxpayers.

The MSBA is a state government authority that partners with local communities to create affordable and energy efficient public schools across Massachusetts.  Created in 2004, the MSBA provides reimbursements to communities based on a predetermined percentage of eligible school construction costs.  The MSBA's revenue stream comes from the state's sales tax.

The exact MSBA contribution is not yet known but we are estimating it to be approximately $29.5 million of the project costs.  This number will be updated as the project continues through the MSBA's approval process in 2025.  Exact contribution figures will be known in the months prior to the Town's vote at the FY26 Fall Special Town Meeting in October/November 2025.

Proposition 2 1/2 allows a community to raise funds for certain purposes above the amount of its levy limit or levy ceiling.  A community can assess taxes in excess of its levy limit or levy ceiling for the payment of specified debt service costs.  An exclusion for the purpose of raising funds for debt service costs is referred to as a debt exclusion.  A Debt Exclusion requires voter approval. The additional amount for the payment of debt service is added to the levy limit or levy ceiling for the life of the debt only.  Unlike overrides, exclusions do not become part of the base upon which the levy limit is calculated for future years.

Reimbursements such as state reimbursements for school building construction are subtracted from the amount of the exclusion.

A debt exclusion is effective even in the rare case when the exclusion would bring the community’s levy above its levy ceiling and requires a two-thirds vote of the Select Board in order to be presented to the voters. A majority vote of approval at a ballot vote is required. 

Questions presented to exclude a debt obligation must state the purpose or purposes for which the monies from the debt issue will be used. 

An exclusion increases the amount of property tax revenue a community may raise for a limited or temporary period of time in order to fund specific projects. The amount of an exclusion may be raised in addition to the community's levy limit. It does not increase the community's levy limit nor become part of the base for calculating future years' levy limits.

An exclusion may be used by a community to fund capital spending whether the spending is financed by borrowing (debt exclusion) or within the annual budget (capital expenditure exclusion).

There is no limitation on the number or dollar amount of exclusions.

A Debt Exclusion override requires 2 votes.  Town Meeting will vote to authorize the Town to issue the bonds necessary to construct the Shaker Lane School.  This would require a 2/3 vote at Town Meeting. Currently, this vote is scheduled to occur at the FY26 Fall Special Town Meeting in October/November 2025.

A second vote would take place shortly after Town Meeting to ask the Town to raise the amount needed, outside the Levy Limit, to make principal and interest payments on a 20-year bond. Each year, the Town would add to the total amount needed for that year to pay the annual principal and interest payment to that year's Levy Limit.  If no debt exclusion were used, the Town would need to absorb the costs of those annual payments within the Levy Limit. Based upon the size of the project, it is the Town’s position that raising such funds within the Levy would limit the availability of funds for Town operations and other projects. 

A “YES” vote would allow the Town to levy the additional taxes needed to repay the money it borrows to construct a new Shaker Lane School. 

A “NO” vote would not allow the Town to levy additional taxes to construct a new Shaker Lane School.

No, the Town can only levy additional taxes to repay the debt for the Shaker Lane School project.

The Town will issue short-term debt called Bond Anticipation Notes (BANs) during the construction of Shaker Lane.  The amounts and timing of this debt is dependent upon the construction schedule and any reimbursements received from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).  These BANs require that only interest payments be made upon maturity, usually within one year after issuance.  The increase to taxes is estimated to begin in 2026 through 2029 at approximately $400 on the average home.  Once the bond is issued both principal and interest payments would be made, starting in FY30, with the tax impacts shown in the calculator above. Payments would decrease each year due to a reduction in annual interest payments. The final bond would mature in FY2049 and the exclusion would end.

Tax Relief and Exemption Programs

The Town offers several programs to assist residents that may qualify for tax relief. More information can be found at the Assessor's Department.

The Town also offers a tax work off program for qualifying seniors. More information on this program can be found at the Department of Elder and Human Services.

• The school will not be built at this time.
• The MSBA (the state building authority whose grant program is subsidizing this project) will terminate its agreement with Littleton, as it is contingent on securing funding within 120 days of the MSBA Board accepting the schematic design.
• The district would not receive the state's reimbursements for the Shaker Lane Elementary School at this time.
• This reimbursement could not be shifted to another school or town project.
• Littleton would need to reapply to get Shaker Lane Elementary School back into the program. The best-case scenario is that the district applies the following year and is accepted into the program, the district and Owner's Project Manager will need to redo the work they've been doing and it takes another four years to get back to where they are now. The worst-case scenario is that MSBA rejects another Shaker Lane Elementary School application and it takes even longer.
• The cost of building a new Shaker Lane Elementary School will increase. Recent building construction inflation rates have trended at 4% annually. If we presume the contracts are bid and construction begins in the summer of 2026, the projected cost of the school could increase with a four-year construction delay by a range of $15.7, based cost of $92.2 million, to $17.7 million, based on a cost of $104.2 million.

Some other sites that may be of interest include:

• Massachusetts Division of Local Services, "Levy Limits: A Primer on Proposition 2 ½" (PDF)
• Massachusetts Division of Local Services, "Proposition 2½ Ballot Questions Requirements and Procedures" (PDF)
• Massachusetts Division of Local Services website, "Proposition 2½ and Tax Rate Process"
• Massachusetts Division of Local Services YouTube series: "A Deeper Dive Into Municipal Debt"
• Massachusetts Division of Local Services YouTube series: "Proposition 2 1/2"
• Massachusetts Division of Local Services Debt Service Calculator
• Massachusetts Division of Local Services Property Tax Impact Calculator
• Massachusetts Division of Local Services Municipal Databank
• Massachusetts School Building Authority School Construction Costs

The state's Division of Local Services posts significant information regarding property value and tax data on their Municipal Databank site: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/division-of-local-services-municipal-databank

The Select Board began planning in 2017 to move the town offices from the current Town Hall site (37 Shattuck Street) to a new facility; the existing Town Office building at 37 Shattuck Street has reached the end of its functional life.  Town Meeting support for three related building projects has made it possible for us to move forward now with plans to relocate Town Hall.

Library: October 2019 Special Town Meeting approved construction funding for the new Library which opened in November 2021. Formerly housed at 37 Shattuck Street in the space currently occupied by Park & Recreation and Land Use & Buildings Departments, the new Reuben Hoar Library offers significant services for Littleton residents.

Center on Shattuck Street: May 2022 Town Meeting approved construction funding for the new senior center which will include offices and activity centers for the Elder and Human Services Department, Council on Aging, and Veterans’ Agent – all currently operating at 37 Shattuck Street. The new building will open in May 2025.

36 King Street: Feb. 2023, November 2023, and May 2024 Town Meetings approved the purchase, design, and funding for renovations at 36 King Street. The School Department/Superintendent’s offices and Parks, Recreation, and Community Education Departments will move from 37 Shattuck Street to this site later this spring.

Approval of Articles 12 and 13 at the May 10, 2025 Town Meeting would allow the Select Board to move forward with the next steps to move the town offices and pursue redevelopment of the 37 Shattuck Street site.

The Select Board will not know the answer until we issue a Request For Proposals (RFP) and consider the responses. The Town wants the best deal it can get, so we will consider competitive bids from anywhere in Littleton. Assuming we identify a superior location for the new Town Hall, the Town is also prepared to offer the 37 Shattuck Street site to be redeveloped for a minimum of 40 “deeply affordable” senior rental housing units, a need the Town has also recognized and tried to address for many years. However, the Town will remain at 37 Shattuck Street until it is ready to move to the new Town Hall.

It’s the right thing to do. “Deeply affordable” senior rental housing is desperately needed and has been in discussion for several years by the Council on Aging, the COA Housing Subcommittee, the Affordable Housing Trust, and the Planning Board. Further delay increases the cost of constructing this in-demand category of housing. Furthermore, the permitting and necessary State financing support for the housing will take much longer than the permitting for the new Town Hall.

The next step toward relocating Town Hall and redeveloping 37 Shattuck Street site for deeply affordable senior housing is affirmative votes at the May 6, 2025 Annual Town Meeting on the Article 12 motions. This would allow the Select Board to issue a detailed RFP in which the Town will offer 37 Shattuck Street site for a minimum of 40 “deeply affordable” senior rental housing units in exchange for another site, including land and a building, for a new Town Hall. The goal is to achieve a win-win for Littleton residents: occupying a new Town Hall at the lowest possible cost to the community and providing deeply affordable apartments for seniors. 

The Select Board has authority to determine the criteria, which it will review and adopt in an open meeting. At a minimum, the criteria would include meeting the needs of everyone who uses Town Hall – our residents, employees, Board and Committee members, and visitors – as well as costs, location, and accessibility. The criteria will also include evidence that the respondents have the knowledge, capacity, and experience to develop and manage deeply affordable housing senior housing.  

This will be a multi-year process. If Town Meeting approves the three motions under Article 12 and the Legislature passes the proposed Special Act - only after that can the Select Board negotiate with developer(s). We estimate that it will take approximately five years before we move into a new Town Hall. It will take around 12 to 18 months for the Special Legislation to be approved. The process to choose a developer and negotiate details is estimated to take several months. After that, the chosen, qualified developer would need to design, obtain permits, and gain approval for affordable housing tax credits; that process is a multi-year endeavor. None of that work can begin until the Town and developer reach an agreement about the terms and conditions for eventually transferring ownership of 37 Shattuck Street. This is why relocating Town Hall and securing a qualified senior housing developer for 37 Shattuck Street are so closely connected.

The Town will own the new Town Hall building and land.

Any funding for a new Town Hall and/or redevelopment of the 37 Shattuck Street site will require future Town Meeting approval. Once costs, benefits, and other tradeoffs are identified through the RFP process, the Select Board will ask for Town Meeting approval of costs associated with the new Town Hall and redevelopment of 37 Shattuck Street. The Select Board and Finance Committee closely monitor the financing of municipal projects. They will only recommend future expenditures if it is in the best interest of the Town and is in accordance with the Town’s financial policies. The request is for approval of three motions under Article 12 in order to keep the ball moving forward. 

Today it means a household income below $69,480 for a senior living alone or below $79,440 for an elderly couple. Some units will be affordable to seniors with lower incomes as well. The greater the amount of State tax credit and other subsidies awarded to the development, the more affordable the units will be for the seniors who really need this housing.

This will be determined after responses to the RFP is received and negotiations with one or more developer(s) has concluded. The Select Board intends to include requirements in the RFP that it remain at 37 Shattuck Street until the new Town Hall is ready for occupancy. 

Yes, the Town will make a request to the State Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) for the maximum local preference allowed by law, which is currently 70 percent of the units. 

The Sewer Department continues to work to add more sewer capacity to meet the needs of all planned developments, while maintaining its priority to support redevelopment in the Littleton Common area for “small” property owners.

Yes. Parking, access, and providing safe and suitable housing are all important components that will be included in the final plan.

This will be determined after responses to the RFP is received and negotiations with one or more developer(s) has concluded. If funding is required to acquire and/or build-out a Town Hall shell the Select Board will bring another request to Town Meeting for funding of the Town Hall project. Any agreement for a new Town Hall will be contingent upon obtaining Town Meeting approval of the proposed acquisition and any necessary funding. 

The special legislation exempts these projects from public construction bidding and public procurement laws while ensuring that any construction work performed at 37 Shattuck Street and on the new Town Hall will be subject to prevailing wage law.  The benefit of obtaining special legislation is that it removes any ambiguity or question over what public bidding laws may apply to the projects and   ensures that construction workers are paid a proper wage on the projects. The special legislation does not add any new requirements on the Town, instead it gives the Town more flexibility to establish its own competitive and fair process that is uniquely designed to achieve the Town’s goals in a manner most advantageous to the Town. To that end, the Select Board intends to issue one or more RFPs, as described above, to select one or more (preferably one) developer partner(s) to work with. 

Towns that wish to enter into a more complicated development agreement or partnership with real estate developers encounter difficulties in carrying out their vision due to ambiguous and sometimes overlapping and contradictory application of various procurement laws. Some real property transactions have the qualities of public construction projects, and these two types of public procurements are regulated under different statutes. A community that follows the Uniform Procurement Act to select a developer for negotiation is at risk of facing a bid protest under the public construction bidding laws once construction on the project is underway. It is impractical, however, to select a developer following the public construction bidding laws because developers themselves are not construction contractors capable of carrying out a large public construction building project.

The solution to this problem is to seek special legislation exempting the Town from both public procurement and public construction bidding laws, but guaranteeing that any contractor working on these projects will be paid prevailing wage. This will allow the Town to engage in its own procurement process, which is specifically tailored to meet the Town’s needs while preserving the intent of public bidding laws, to ensure a fair, transparent, and competitive process.

A yes vote authorizes the Select Board to work with our legislative delegation to pursue a special act. The legislation will allow the Town to partner with one or more developers on two projects.  The first project is to sell and develop the Town Hall building at 37 Shattuck Street as deeply affordable senior residential housing (subject to the Town’s approval of article 13).  The second project is to construct and acquire a new Town Hall at another location within the Town. The Town will continue to use the building at 37 Shattuck Street while both projects are being developed and won’t move out until a New Town is ready. Finally, the special act clarifies that these projects are not subject to public construction and procurement laws and ensures that contractors working on the projects will be paid prevailing wage. Any funding needed to accomplish these project(s) will require an appropriation at a future Town Meeting.   

A no vote means that the Town must comply with all public construction and procurement laws in the event it chooses to proceed with the projects described above. 

The Select Board has voted to ask Town Meeting to pass over Article 13. Article 13 will not be voted on at the May 6, 2025 Town Meeting.

The Select Board has voted to ask Town Meeting to pass over Article 13. Article 13 will not be voted on at the May 6, 2025 Town Meeting.

If your household qualifies for deeply affordable housing on the basis of your income, you will most likely be eligible for a deeply affordable rental unit even if you sell your home. Unlike senior affordable homeownership units, where applicants have to meet both income and asset limits, subsidized rental units usually do not have an asset ceiling. However, interest income generated by an asset (like a savings account or certificate of deposit) will account toward the calculation of your total household income.  

Yes, the 2017 and 2021 space needs studies are linked below. 

• Littleton Town Offices Space Needs Program - December 8, 2017 by Allen Lieb Architects & Associates, P.C.
• Littleton Town Hall Building & Space Needs Assessment - March 5, 2021 by LLB Architects