Are there discounts from the fee?

Yes. The city will grant a twenty-five per cent (25%) discount from the annual fee for owners of dwellings who are

• veterans with a war-service connected disability;
• blind;
• indigent; or
• over 65 years of age;

according to rules and regulations established by the Springfield Finance Control Board. 

• Veterans will be required to provide a copy of the award letter issued by the federal Veterans Administration.
• Blind individuals will be required to provide a copy of the current visual impairment certification, issued by the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.
• Indigent persons will be required to provide written proof, annually, of current gross annual income for their household, at or below 100% of federal poverty level, i.e. $10,210 / 1 person household; $13,690 / 2 pp.; $17,170 / 3 pp.; $20,650 / 4 pp.; $24,130 / 5 pp.; $27,610 / 6 pp.; $31,090 / 7 pp.; $34,570 / 8 pp.; for each additional person, add $3,480 [as of 01/04/07].  A copy of current federal tax return, letter of non-filing [IRS 1722]; transcript of income [IRS 4506T]; or any other acceptable statement of income; is considered a sufficient proof by the city.  A cross-reference match with the Assessor’s current abatement list is also an acceptable proof of indigent status.
• Persons 65 years of age or older will be required to provide proof of their age, such as a copy of their official photo identification with a date of birth or birth certificate.

Discounts will only apply to the owner-occupied primary residence, and will not apply to other trash services, such as bulky item stickers or extra trash bags.  For example, if a property owner eligible for a discount owns a multi-family residential building, only the unit occupied by that owner as a primary residence will qualify for the discount, and all other units would be charged the trash fee at the full, non-discounted rate.

Discounts cannot be stacked, i.e. the owner can apply for and receive only one type of discount, even if he or she might qualify for more than one discount listed.

Discounts will only be available to the property owner of record, or current owner who name appears on the deed.  In life estate cases, where a senior owner still lives at the house, but will transfer the property to future interest holders upon death, the senior discount will be granted to the life tenant.

The city will provide an application for such discount (available in print and for download), which must be completed by the owner and returned to the city within forty-five (45) days of the trash bill date, and then reviewed and approved by the city.  Property owners aggrieved by the denial of a discount may appeal such determination under a process to be described in rules and regulations established by the Executive Director.

The City is going to use the Assessors data base to identify those already receiving a veterans war connected disability tax reduction or seniors discount (age 70 with income limitations) as related to their property tax.  Please make note that there are some different eligibility qualifications between those discounts received through the real estate tax process and those that will be available under the trash fee. Under the trash fee the senior discount starts at age 65 and is not income related. Because of the age difference, 70 vs 65, some seniors will not be reflected in the Assessor’s database and will be required to file for a trash fee discount.

Trash Fee FAQ:

1. I thought the trash fee was invalidated by the court.
2. I thought the City was going to stop collecting the trash fee.
3. I made payments last year. When will I get my refund?
4. How much interest will I earn?
5. What are my options under the new trash program?
6. Can I re-join the city trash program after I leave it?
7. When will I get the new bill?
8. Can I still get a discount?
9. The number of containers on my trash fee bill is incorrect.
10. I did not receive credit for the return of additional container(s).
11. I only received the discount on one (1) container.
12. I do not have city trash service at my property.
13. The name of the owner on the bill is incorrect.
14. Can I have the trash bill sent to a third party, who is not the primary owner?
15. The service location on the bill is incorrect.
16. The mailing address on the bill is incorrect.
17. When will my bill adjusted?
18. My payment did not show on the bill.
19. Can I pay the trash fee in full, as opposed to 4 quarterly payments?
20. Can I schedule the trash fee payment through an automated debit to my bank?
21. Can I add the trash fee payment to my bank’s existing real estate escrow account?
22. Do I have to pay the trash fee if my property is vacant?
23. Can I return any unwanted or unused containers?
24. Can I get a prorated bill if I do not reside in Springfield for the entire year?
25. Can I submit a birth certificate with my maiden name as a proof of age?
26. Do I have to pay the trash fee if I live in a condominium or mobile home?
27. Will I be billed for containers assigned to my property, even if they are missing?
28. Will this fee increase in the future?
29. Is this a permanent fee?
30. Can I deduct this fee from my taxes?
31. Who is responsible for paying the trash fee?
32. Do I have to pay if I have private trash collection?
33. Do I have to pay the fee if I rent?
34. How much is the trash fee?
35. Do seniors have to pay the full amount?
36. How much do I pay if I have a 60-gallon container?
37. Do I have to pay for recycled items?
38. Does the fee include disposal of bulky items?
39. Will this fee change the way the trash is collected?
40. How can I report a problem with my bill?
41. How can I pay for this fee?
42. When are the bills due?
43. What happens if I pay late?
44. What happens if I don’t pay the fee?
45. Are there discounts from the fee?
46. How do I get more information?

Trash Fee:

• Trash Fee Info
• Trash Fee FAQ
• Ask a Trash Fee Question