INTRODUCTION
The Town of Ipswich invites homeowners with failed septic systems to apply for a Betterment Loan under the Town’s Septic
Management Betterment Program. The proceeds of a $200,000.00 loan from the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection are being utilized to help homeowners comply with Title 5, 310 CMR 15.000 of the State Environmental Code by providing financial assistance to homeowners to upgrade or repair their septic system. The goal of the Betterment Program is to protect the public health, safety, welfare and the environment through the repair, replacement and/or upgrade of failed systems.
GENERAL PROGRAM DETAILS
A Betterment
Loan is a Financial Agreement between a homeowner and the community. The Betterment
Agreement outlines the rights and responsibilities of the community and the
homeowner. The community agrees to provide financial assistance to the homeowner for the upgrade or repair their septic system. The homeowner contracts to have the work done and agrees to repay, with interest, any money advanced by the community over an agreed upon period of time.
The
homeowner signs a Betterment Agreement and the community records a Notice of
Betterment Agreement at the Registry of Deeds for the homeowner's
property. A homeowner pays off the betterment loan over time, as an additional line item on their property tax bill. Loan payments must be made annually with the third
quarter tax assessment.
The
Betterment Loan is provided at a two (2%) interest rate for a period of 5, 10,
15 or 18 years. At the time of application there is no credit check required, although all municipal accounts must be paid up to date. All costs necessary
to repair or replace a failed on-site system, including engineering and design
can be included in the Betterment Loan.
Ipswich
homeowners who have a septic system that has failed an Official Title 5
Inspection conducted by an Ipswich permitted System Inspector are
eligible. A septic design approved by
the Board of Health is needed before you can apply for a Betterment Loan.
The loan application is processed under the direction of Colleen E. Fermon, Director of Public Health /Betterment Program Administrator. If you are interested, contact the Ipswich Public
Health Office at 978-356-6606 for more information.