East Bridgewater could place property liens for unpaid local charges

East Bridgewater could record a lien, a legal claim against property, for overdue local charges, fees, or fines. This covers property in East Bridgewater and charges imposed under local or state rules, including court fines payable to the town from enforcement cases town officials initiate. Before imposing liens, town meeting must approve a bylaw listing each type of charge, fee, or fine covered. The act would take effect upon passage. Each lien would take effect when recorded in the Plymouth County registry of deeds.

Town officials would add unpaid charges secured by liens to property taxes for collection. The collection rules would also cover tax-exempt property, where the unpaid charge would be collected as a tax. Owners would pay the costs of recording and releasing liens. A lien could be released by filing the tax collector’s certificate that the charges, interest, and costs were paid or legally canceled. Officials would send unpaid charges to assessors for collection when assessors prepare the property tax list.