To subscribe to notifications from the Town of Dracut website:

1. Go to the Town of Dracut Notify Me page at www.dracutma.gov/notifyme.
2. If you're not signed into the website, sign in by using the "Notify Me Sign In" button. 
3. You can now subscribe by clicking the envelope next to any of the lists. 

Note: Green check-marks mean you have already subscribed to that list. Notifications are only sent via Email.

For anything trash & recycling, please fill out our online form an someone will get back to you ASAP.

To apply for a job with the Town check out our Employment Opportunities.

If you find a job you are interested in applying for, click on the "Job Application" button, left of the Job Title, or the "Download Application" option, on the right-hand side of the page. Also on the right-hand side of the page is where you can find the job posting for download, under "Attached Files", and an option to email your resume to the Town. 

You can see all upcoming Board and Committee Meetings on our main page, under the Community Calendar "Meetings" tab. 

There are can see upcoming meetings for Boards like:

• Board of Selectmen
• Finance Committee
• Planning Board
• Zoning Board of Appeals
• & more!

You can get updated when an of the Boards or Committees plans a meetings by using our NotifyMe System, under the Calendar section. Using the same system, under the Agenda Center section, you can get updates when the Agenda and Minutes are posted! 

Every Boards and Committee page will have links to the Agenda Center and the Calendar, along with on the right-hand side of the Board or Committee page, the next posted meeting will be - if any currently scheduled - will be present on the page as well!

There are certain times of the year the Department of Public Works, located at 833 Hildreth Street, allows residents to bring in grass, brush, and leaves to the compost site.

The compost site will accept leaves, brush and grass clippings only with proof of residency.

Town Hall's operational hours are as follows:

Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Tuesday: 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM

Friday: 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM

For department-specific hours, such as Emergency Services, kindly refer to the respective department's page. 

Please note that Town Offices are closed on Federal Holidays (PDF), and announcements regarding closures are posted on our website accordingly.

The Town Clerk's Office provides simple Town-related Notary Services such as proof of residency for the Dracut Public Schools, and Business Certificates authorized by the Town's Zoning Officer.

The Town of Dracut does not provide Notary Services to the public.

Notary Services are often provided to the public by Banks, AAA, and UPS Stores. 

Dracut Animal Control cannot help with dead animals on private property, except in rare cases that pose an immediate danger to public safety and is permitted by the Mass Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. They also can't handle nuisance wildlife inside homes or on properties; that's the property owner's responsibility. 

For help, you can find licensed Problem Animal Control Agents (PAC Agents) on the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife website.

Backyard Chickens & Roosters

Backyard chicken keeping has increased in popularity and while as a Right-to-Farm town we encourage that, it has given rise to some conflict especially in densely developed neighborhoods.

However, it can be done successfully if some simple guidelines are followed:

1. Talk to your neighbors.  Unexpected changes are generally not welcomed, so stop by your neighbors and explain what you plan to do. The promise of the occasional fresh-laid egg always helps.
2. No more than one chicken per 4,000sq.ft. of area in which they are kept. (Zoning By-law 2.11.50)
3. You can have roosters. This is by far the main source of complaints. When chicks come from the supplier they are generally not sexed, so you can and likely will end up with one or more roosters. Often people are unsure as to what to do with them, but in the meantime they will awaken the entire neighborhood at the crack of dawn. You, the owner, may not object to this but your neighbors likely have different schedules, work 2nd shift, etc. 
4. The hens are also much happier without the presence of a testosterone fueled rooster.
5. Their coop is considered to be a shed, and should meet the shed rules (max of 120 square feet, at least 10 feet away from all lot lines, permit required.)
6. Keep food in sealed containers. Rats are often unwelcome visitors to chicken coops but good hygiene can keep this to a minimum.
7. Have a plan for the waste and old bedding. Well-tended compost heaps can help solve this and be a boon to the garden.
8. Have a plan for the winter. Chickens don’t like cold and wet weather any more than we do, so make sure they have somewhere warm and safe.
9. “Good fences make good neighbors.” Make sure they don’t stray beyond your own property.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact either the Board of Health or the Building Department.

Good luck with your Backyard Chickens!

In late spring and early summer, adult female turtles cross roads in search of nest sites. Each species has a different habitat requirement, but when searching for a nest site they usually choose sandy or loose soil in lawns, tilled or mowed fields, roadsides, and occasionally backyard compost piles.

It is often assumed that something is wrong when a turtle is crossing the road. People, with best intentions, mistakenly attempt to return it to water, take it home, or, take it somewhere that seems safer and release it. But the best thing to do is leave it alone. The turtle knows where it wants to go and may have been nesting in the same spot for many years—or even decades.

If a small turtle is in danger of being hit by cars, it can be moved in the direction it was headed, to the other side of the road. Snapping turtles can be dangerous and should not be handled. They are surprisingly fast for their size and can extend their necks the length of their carapace. Never pick up a snapping turtle by the tail because you could seriously injure it.

The owner of any dog or cat shall immediately notify the Animal Control Officer (ACO) within 24 hours of any dog or cat owned or kept by them has bitten or scratched a person, including, if known, the name, address and phone number of the injured party. The owner shall provide evidence of current rabies certificates and, in the case of a dog, current dog license.

A dog or cat that bites or scratches a person shall be quarantined for ten (10) days if ordered by the Animal Inspector and/or Animal Control Officer. During the quarantine, the animal shall be securely confined and kept from contact with any other animal. At the discretion of the ACO, the quarantine may be on the premises of the owner. If the ACO requires confinement, the owner shall surrender the animal for the quarantine period to an animal shelter or shall at his/her own expense, place the animal in a facility approved by the ACO.

If you find an injured dog or cat, please call us. We can assist in locating the owner and/or transporting the animal to Wignall Animal Hospital.

If you find injured wildlife, please do not try to touch or move the animal. Contact Animal Control or the Dracut Police if after hours.

Please note that the operator of a motor vehicle that strikes and injures or kills a dog or cat is required to report the accident to the owner of the animal or to the police department. Failure to do so is punishable by a fine. (Reference M.G.L. Chapter 272, Section 80H).

Dog licenses are available through the town clerks office. They may also be registered online through city hall systems. 

Dracut has a leash law, which is in effect 24/7. Dogs are not permitted to run at large at any time. They may not be left unattended on their owner’s property. When off the owner’s property, the person attending the dog must have control of the dog on a leash no greater than six (6) feet in length. Dogs that are found running at large may be taken by Animal Control and impounded at Lowell Humane Society at 951 Broadway St, Lowell. If the dog can be identified, the owner will be notified. Impounded dogs will be kept for ten (10) days, unless they are claimed by their owners. After ten (10) days the dogs will be eligible for adoption.

Please refer to Chapter 12, Section 8 of the town by-laws for more information on the leash law.

Dog waste is a threat to our public water supply, degrades our town and transmits disease. Leash, curb and clean up after your dog – it is required by law. Failure to clean up after your dog falls under the public nuisance section of the town by-laws pertaining to dogs. Fines for violations are as follows:

• 1st Offense: Warning
• 2nd Offense: $50
• 3rd and Subsequent Offenses: $100

There are several types of bark that dogs use to communicate with people. Most dogs learn at a young age to bark when they need to go outside, want to come indoors, or to remind us that it is dinner time. Dogs have a specific bark to let us know that something is suspicious and needs attention.

Dogs do not bark without reason. Like humans, dogs are extremely social creatures and most dogs hate being left alone outside while their family is indoors. Dogs that are left outdoors for extended periods of time become bored, or they become anxious about being alone. These dogs tend to bark at every sound or movement in the neighborhood because they feel vulnerable when by themselves, especially if they are tethered.

Barking frequently or for continued duration (in excess of 20 minutes) is considered a noise disturbance and your dog can be considered a public nuisance (Chapter 12, Section 9 of the town by-laws). Penalties are as follows:

• 1st Offense: Warning
• 2nd Offense: $50
• 3rd and Subsequent Offenses: $100

Do not get angry with the neighbors for complaining, and please do not get angry at the dog! Your dog is trying to tell you something. Figure out what is causing your dog to bark excessively and make some changes to alleviate the conditions that are causing the dog to bark. Please try to understand your neighbors’ frustration and be considerate of their desire for peace and quiet.

You do not have to allow the Assessors into your home.  We only request the inspection to be as fair and accurate as possible when assessing your home. 

However, if an Assessor is denied entrance, property owners give up their ability to challenge the assessed value.  

The short answer is yes, you do have to apply for an abatement and provide the Assessor’s Office with the return plate receipt and disposition of the vehicle.

The assessed value represents the estimation of market value of the property. The real estate market changes frequently. 

Example, your assessment for Fiscal Year 2023 represents the market sales in the calendar year of 2021.

So, though no improvements or physical changes have been made to the property, the buyers are willing to pay more for your type of property. Which then causes a seller's market and increases the sale prices of homes. The assessment follows what the real estate market is doing.  

When pulling a permit with the building inspector the Assessor Office is then notified. The Assessor then schedules a visit for 30 days after the permit is pulled. Assessor does not check the plans attached to the permit as they are off occasionally. Everything will be measured by Assessor. 

A supplemental tax assessment is made on a real estate parcel for the fiscal year whenever; a temporary or permanent occupancy permit is issued for that parcel during that fiscal year, and the new construction or improvements increases the assessed value of the parcel by over 50%.  

The Registry of Motor Vehicles prepares the excise bills on behalf of the town. They are sent to the Town who commits them to the Tax Collector for collection.   

Even though all of your address has been changed, you may still need to change your vehicles address. You will need to change your GARAGING CODE with the Registry of Motor Vehicles or your local insurance company. This code is used to identify where the vehicle is stored with the state of MA. 

Normally, when you are creating more gross or living space in your home it would then increase the assessment of your home. Depending on size, material, rooms and many other factors that the assessor would see when doing a site visit. After doing the site visit the Assessor may have an estimate of increase in assessment. Any improvements may increase your home assessment. 

In most cases, yes.

If you dispose of a vehicle, you are entitled to an abatement (refund) provided that you can show the Assessor's Office the following documentation:

• Proof that you no longer own the vehicle. This would include a copy of the bill of sale, donation or junk yard receipt, repossession paperwork, etc.
• Proof that the registration (license plates) was transferred to a new vehicle or proof that the registration was cancelled.

If you have moved out of Massachusetts and cancelled your MA registration, you are entitled to a refund if you show proof of MA registration cancellation and proof of registration of that vehicle in your new state. 

Unfortunately, you are not entitled to an abatement if you cancel or transfer the plates but retain ownership of the vehicle, move to another city or town in Massachusetts or if the cancellation is done in the month of December.

No excise may be reduced to less than $5 and no abatement or refund of less than $5 may be granted.  

Please be aware, that because the performance of more than one activity is required to establish eligibility for an abatement, the proper date for use in calculating the amount of the abatement is that date when the final activity is performed.

• For example, the abatement for an excise tax bill for a vehicle which you sold in December, but did not cancel the plates until February, will be calculated until the month that the plates are cancelled.
• Also, if you cancel the plates on a car in October, but do not sell that car and obtain a bill of sale until the following March, you will owe excise until the car is no longer in your possession.

The Town of Dracut is responsible for the maintenance and operations of 160 miles of public roadways, 77 miles of drainage infrastructure, over 4000 drainage structures (catch basins, outfalls, culverts, detention ponds).  

How Can Nonpoint Source Pollution (NPS) Be Locally Controlled?

NPS pollution arises from everyday human activities. Here are a few homeowner good housekeeping practices that can make a big difference

The primary responsibility of the DPW staff is to maintain all public roadways, public parks, public vehicles, public sewer lines, public drainage lines, and public waterbodies. It is also the Departments responsibility to conduct and oversee infrastructure improvement projects.  

The Department of Public Works (DPW) consists of multiple divisions and departments. The divisions that fall under Public Works are: 

• Cemetery
• Highway
• Parks
• Trees
• Snow & Ice
• Vehicle Maintenance 

Other Departments that fall under Public Works are: 

• Animal Control
• Engineering
• Stormwater
• Sewer/Kenwood Water

You would want to use our platform AccessE11 System which offers a hassle-free way for you to communicate any issues in our community. By accessing the reporting portal, you can easily document and notify the Town regarding streetlight outages. Our AccessE11 System also makes it easy to report potholes/asphalt damage, trash/recycling issues, tree issues and more! 

The Department of Public Works (DPW) has listed the requirements for when a Street Opening Permit is needed online for your convivence!

If you have any additional questions please Contact the DPW.

If you no longer plan to use the municipal curbside trash collection provided by the Town, please reach out to the Dracut Board of Health to review your options.

Residents who intend to use another approved trash service provider (other than Casella) must work with the Board of Health to ensure the alternative service is properly documented and recognized.

Complaints about mosquitoes may be registered by calling the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project office at 508-393-3055 between 7 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

The results of an investigation may warrant the use of a mosquito insecticide to defined, site-specific areas of the town.  Such an application may be accomplished by using hand or truck mounted equipment, depending on the extent of the application.

Per 333CMR13.04:  “No intentional application of pesticides shall be made to private property which has been designed for the exclusion from such application by a person living on or legally in control of said property.  CMMCP will continue to accept spray exemptions during the spray season.

For more information on the exclusion process, or may contact the CMMCP office during business hours or apply for an exclusion through our website.

Find additional information on CMMC.

• How to safely remove a tick
• Ways to prevent tick bites
• Symptoms of tickborne illnesses
• Additional materials for parents, pet owners, and outdoor workers

If you suspect a sewer issue in your neighborhood after our regular office hours, please contact the Dracut Police Department on their business line at 978-957-2123 and they will contact the Sewer Superintendent to investigate the issue.

Dracut Sewer bills for residential accounts are issued every three months, February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.

Dracut Sewer bills for commercial and industrial accounts are issued in May and November. The May 1 bill reflects the base rate from July 1 - December 31, and any excess used from the previous July 1 - December 31. The November 1 bill reflects the base rate from January 1 - June 30, and any excess used from the previous January 1 - June 30.

You have a few options for payment

• In person at Town Hall at the Tax Collector Office (first floor)
• Online via City Hall Systems payment portal.
• Over the phone, at 508-381-5455

Questions about your actual bill can be directed to the Tax Collector Office at (978) 452-1801 or the Sewer Office at (978) 957-0371.

You’ll need to fill out the abatement request form, available on our website and in our office at Town Hall. The request should be made within 30 days of the current bill to be considered for abatement. Please call the Sewer Department if you have any questions.

You can fill out Sewer Final Read Request Form online and we will provide a final read within 72 hours.

• Seller Name
• Account Number
• Buyer Name
• Address
• Closing Attorney Name and Email
• Closing Date

Yes! Please follow these steps in the event you need your service repaired or replaced:

1. Pull a $50 Repair Permit with the Sewer Department at Town Hall (second floor)
2. Choose a drainlayer licensed with the Town.
3. Your selected drainlayer will then need to:
   1. Pull a $50 Trench Permit with the Sewer Department
   2. Pay a $300 bond (if applicable) to the Sewer Department
   3. Notify the Sewer Department of the date work is planned and arrange for an inspection.

Your sewer service from the main line to your home is your responsibility. If a plumber has indicated there may be an issue (clog, roots, sag, etc.), the best course of action is to have your service line inspected with a camera to provide a clearer idea of what might be the cause.

No! All work related to sewer service repairs and replacements (from outside the home) MUST be completed by a drainlayer licensed with the Town. Please see our current list, available on our website. If you have any questions, please call our office.

 That depends! Please call our office at (978) 957-0371 or email us at sewerdept@dracutma.gov and we can look into it. If sewer is available, a fee of $7,500 will be necessary to tie in to the system. Be sure to check with the Board of Health for septic system closures.

DigSafe only calls electric and gas utilities once a ticket has been called in. You’ll need to let us know if you’re in need of a mark out and we’ll get out there! You can fill out our online DigSafe Request form and we will get in touch with you.

As of July 1, 2025, Casella Waste Management will be handling curbside trash and recycling collection for Dracut. Casella is a regional leader in the waste and recycling industry with over 50 years of experience.

Just a quick refresher to help you sort your waste properly:

• Blue Bin is for Trash: For regular household garbage.
• Green Bin is for Recycling: For paper, cardboard, glass, metal cans, and plastics.

Trash will be picked up every week and recycle will be every other week as per the last contract. Some streets follow the (A) week schedule on the recycle calendar and some streets follow the (B) Week Schedule. We have the list of streets online for (A) and (B) weeks.

Please review the Trash & Recycling Schedule to find out if your street is assigned to "A-Week" or "B-Week".

Both trash and recycling collections occur on the same day. Trash is collected weekly, while recycling is picked up every other week.

To make it easier for you, we've prepared a Recycling Calendar (PDF) so you can easily determine when your recycling should be collected. 

The Recycling Calendar (PDF) indicates your recycling week and identifies any anticipated delays in pickup caused by holidays. 
The Trash & Recycling Schedule helps you determine which collection schedule your street falls under.

Each Dracut household will be billed $95 per quarter for Fiscal Year 2026 to help cover the rising costs of curbside trash and recycling collection. Like many communities, Dracut has seen service costs increase in recent years, and this fee allows the town to continue providing dependable, town-wide waste services. The bills look similar to the new tax bill format.

This is a flat fee, meaning all residential units are charged the same amount regardless of household size or the amount of trash generated. This approach keeps billing consistent and service equitable across the board.

Trash and recycling invoices will be issued quarterly. Bills will be sent on August 1st, November 1st, February 1st, and May 1st. Each bill is due 30 days after the issue date.

Paying your trash bill is quick and convenient—choose the method that works best for you:

• In person: Prefer to stop by? You’re welcome to make your payment at the Tax Collector’s Office, located inside Dracut Town Hall. 
• Online: For a fast and secure option, pay from the comfort of your home through City Hall Systems.

As with many services across the country, the cost of trash collection and recycling has continued to rise. To keep up with these growing expenses and maintain quality service for residents, the Town of Dracut has implemented this quarterly fee. It helps ensure that the town can continue to provide consistent and dependable waste services to every household.

If the bill is not paid, it will begin to accrue 14% interest per year, and the amount owed will be added as a lien on your property. This lien will appear on future real estate tax bills until the balance is paid.

If your household no longer needs municipal curbside trash collection, please contact the Dracut Board of Health to review your options.

Residents who wish to use a different, approved trash service provider (other than Casella) must coordinate that directly with the Board of Health.

Some residents may be eligible for an exemption. If you qualify for a Real Estate Tax Exemption under Clause 17D or 41C—typically based on age and income—you may also be exempt from the trash fee.. To learn more, please contact the Dracut Assessors’ Office.

Official Overflow bags for Dracut can be purchased exclusively for disposing of trash outside the regular trash container. Packs of five bags are available for $20 at several locations: Hannaford (Service Desk), Kenwood Hardware (Broadway Road), Dracut Hardware (Lakeview Avenue, across from CVS), and the Town Clerk's Office in Town Hall.

If you need an additional cart, the annual rates are:

• Extra Trash Cart: $165 per year
• Extra Recycling Cart: $135 per year

These charges are billed annually and apply per additional cart requested.

To request an extra cart or for more information about your service, please contact Casella:

• 📞 (603) 898-3680
• 📧 onlineservicerequest@casella.com

Casella’s repair team will be sent out once a week to repair carts. You will need to call (603) 898-3680 or onlineservicerequest@casella.com for a repair/replacement to schedule it.

Trash and/or recycle carts need to be placed curbside by 7am on your collection day. As of July 1, 2025 contact the collection vendor at (603) 898-3680 or onlineservicerequest@casella.com if your trash or recycling cart collection were missed. 

As in the past, residents must pre-schedule with the vendor for the bulk item collection. There is no charge for bulk items and they will be collected town wide on only one day each week (e.g. Fridays). Contact the vendor at (603) 898-3680 or onlineservicerequest@casella.com.

White Goods (e.g. appliances) and CRT’s (e.g. televisions, computer monitors), have a special fee to pay for collection and disposal costs. Contact the vendor at (603) 898-3680 or onlineservicerequest@casella.com for collection and payment related information.

The disposal fees for White Goods and CRTs are as follows:

• Year 1 (Effective July 1, 2025): $45
• Year 2 (Effective July 1, 2026): $47
• Year 3 (Effective July 1, 2027): $50
• Year 4 (Effective July 1, 2028): $52
• Year 5 (Effective July 1, 2029): $55

These fees are charged per item.

White Goods include large household appliances such as:

• Refrigerators
• Freezers
• Washing machines
• Dryers
• Stoves
• Dishwashers
• Air conditioners

CRTs (Cathode Ray Tube items) typically refer to older electronics with bulky screens, such as:

• CRT televisions
• CRT computer monitors

To schedule a pickup or ask questions about accepted items, please contact Casella:

• 📞 (603) 898-3680
• 📧 onlineservicerequest@casella.com

Residents, collection and disposal companies and the Town are all required to follow the state waste bans established by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Like in other towns, our curbside program is designed to collect household trash and recyclables so waste ban items like construction, building and hazardous waste materials will not be picked up.

These hard to manage items are banned from trash disposal and are only discarded occasionally. Contact the vendor at (603) 898-3680 or onlineservicerequest@casella.com for collection and payment related information.

Massachusetts banned mattresses and box springs from being disposed of as trash in 2022 and since then, the Town has been fortunate to be partnering with United Teen Equality Center (UTEC), a local non-profit organization, with recycling these items. UTEC provides a curbside service and can be contacted at (978) 856-3902.

Yes, they will continue servicing the slotted containers that take large, flattened cardboard.

The Town of Dracut has multiple textile recycling locations, you can drop off your items at:

• 2166 Lakeview Ave (Dillon McAnespie Park)
• 1285 Mammoth Road (Carrick Field)
• 95 Leavitt Street (Cemetery Garage Parking Lot)
• 833 Hildreth Street (DPW Complex)
• 62 Arlington Street (Lower Parking Lot of Town Hall)
• Bellevue Ave, Campbell School (Lower Parking Lot)

You can also schedule a pick up with the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation or you can call them at 508-466-4590, please review their list of acceptable/non-acceptable items before scheduling.

Thank you for your assistance with meeting our mandated requirements!

Yes. The yard waste drop-off related service and availability of finished compost at the DPW will continue.

An additional resource that may help you find ways to dispose of challenging items is the MassDEP’s Beyond the Bin Recycling Directory.

For the purposes of Massachusetts law and the Dracut Wetlands Protection Bylaw, an inland wetland is any marsh, lake, pond, river, stream, floodplain, vernal pool, wet meadow, bog, or swamp. Wetlands that border ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams are called bordering vegetated wetlands.

Wetlands may not always be obvious to the untrained eye and only the examination of soils, vegetation, and hydrology can determine if an area is a wetland.

A buffer zone is the protected area surrounding a wetland that is under the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission. In the case of ponds, lakes, marshes, swamps, intermittent streams, vernal pools, and bogs the buffer zone is 100 feet measured horizontally from the top of the bank of the wetland.

Rivers and perennial streams have a buffer zone of 200 feet called riverfront area that is measured horizontally from the top of the bank of the stream or river.

An intermittent stream does not have flowing water year-round while a perennial stream typically has water flowing through it year-round. Massachusetts has criteria for determining if a stream is perennial in the Appendix of the 310 CMR 10, the regulations of the Wetlands Protection Act (PDF). A wetlands scientist can be consulted to determine if a stream is perennial or intermittent.

Vernal pools are water-holding depressions free of fish that usually appear in the spring after snowmelt, however, some fill with water in the fall during rain events and persist through the winter into the spring. While many vernal pools dry up during the summer, some are semi-permanent and do not dry every year. Vernal pools are important habitats for many species of wildlife, including salamanders, frogs, turtles, and toads, some of which are totally dependent on vernal pools for their survival. Because of their sensitive nature and important ecological functions, vernal pools come under special consideration in both state and local bylaw wetlands regulations.

Certified and non-certified vernal pools and their 100-foot buffer zone are regulated in Dracut and any work will need to come before the Conservation Commission for permitting before it can begin.

Wetlands perform important functions including pollution abatement, protection of groundwater (which is the source of many Dracut residents' drinking water), flood control, storm damage prevention as well as providing habitat for plants, invertebrates, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and other wildlife.

Under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. Chapter 131, § 40), no one may "remove, fill, dredge, or alter" any wetland, floodplain, bank, land under a water body, land within 100 feet of a wetland, or land within 200 feet of a perennial stream or river, without a permit from the local Conservation Commission".

Under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 131, § 40 and the Dracut Wetlands Protection Bylaw, Chapter 18 of the Town Code, most activities, such as construction, landscaping, and grading require a permit. Some activities, such as normal maintenance, are allowed without a permit. The Conservation Department can help you determine if your proposed activity will require a permit.

There are 3 wetlands permitting forms and the Conservation Department can assist in helping you to determine which form is the correct form for your project:

1. Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) - For small projects located entirely in the 100-foot wetlands buffer zone (but not within 200 feet of a perennial stream or river) you may submit a Request for Determination of Applicability with a plan, sketch, or other description of the work to be done including dimensions of the project and distances from the wetland and showing any measures you plan to take to protect nearby wetlands from alteration.
   
   The Commission will set a time for a public hearing on your project and will advertise the hearing in the local paper at your expense. Abutters do not need to be notified of an RDA filing. During the public hearing, the Conservation Commission will gather additional information on your project, and members of the public may also comment at this time. If the project is determined to have no wetlands impact, you will be given permission to proceed as soon as a 10-day appeal period passes. The RDA applicant, abutters, ten residents of the community, and/or the MA DEP can appeal during the 10-day period. The Conservation Commission may impose certain conditions for the project to ensure minimum impact on the wetlands. Conversely, during the hearing, the Conservation Commission could determine whether the proposed project will impact the wetlands and may decide that you must refile under a Notice of Intent.
2. Notice of Intent (NOI) - If the project may impact wetlands, banks, lands within 200 feet of a river or perennial stream, or other resource areas, you may file a formal application known as a Notice of Intent. An NOI is a formal presentation, usually prepared with the assistance of a civil engineer and wetlands consultant, showing in detail all aspects of the proposed project. Dated plans stamped by an engineer must be submitted with the application. Abutters are required to be notified of an NOI filing. The Commission will set a time for a public hearing on your project and will advertise the hearing in the local paper at your expense. During the public hearing the Conservation Commission will gather additional information on your project and abutters and members of the public may also comment at this time. Once the hearing is completed and closed, which may take more than one hearing to achieve, the Commission must issue its decision, known as an "Order of Conditions," within 21 days.
   
   The Order of Conditions will contain specific conditions that must be adhered to that ensure an impact on the resource area does not occur. Some conditions may only apply while work is being done on the project such as ensuring spoils from the excavation are stored in a certain location while other conditions may be ongoing for the location such as no additional structures being built a certain distance from the wetland or resource area.
   
   You may appeal an Order of Conditions within 10 days of its issuance. Abutters, ten residents of the community, and/or the MA DEP can also appeal during the 10-day period. It is best to consult a lawyer immediately if you are considering an appeal of a Conservation Commission decision.
   
   After the 10-day appeal period, the Order of Conditions must be recorded at the Middlesex Northern District Registry of Deeds in Lowell, Massachusetts. Only after the 10-day appeal period has passed and the Order of Conditions is on record may work begin.
   
   Once the project is complete and any specified time period indicated in the Order of Conditions has passed, the applicant or the applicant's representative must come back before the Conservation Commission to request a Certificate of Compliance. The Conservation Commission may conduct a site visit prior to the public meeting and will review at minimum an as-built plan and a narrative of the completed project during a public meeting to determine if the project was completed as presented and in compliance with the conditions listed in the Order of Conditions. If the Conservation Commission is satisfied that the project is in compliance with the Order of Conditions, a Certificate of Compliance will be issued. The Certificate of Compliance is required to be recorded at the Middlesex Northern District Registry of Deeds in Lowell, Massachusetts to clear the Order of Conditions from the property's title. The Certificate of Compliance should be recorded as soon as possible after it is issued by the Conservation Commission. If the Certificate of Compliance is not recorded, the open Order of Conditions could cause delays to or prevent the sale, mortgaging, or refinancing of the property.
3. Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation (ANRAD) - This form is used if you are just seeking clarification of wetland resource area boundaries. An ANRAD will usually contain a wetlands evaluation of the site by a wetland scientist and a map showing protected wetland resource areas. Abutters are required to be notified of an ANRAD filing. The Commission will set a time for a public hearing on your project and will advertise the hearing in the local paper at your expense to review and discuss the ANRAD. Abutters and members of the public may also comment during the hearing. The Commission may ask for a peer review by another wetlands professional of their choice if they question the location of the resource areas. Once the hearing is closed, the Commission will issue a decision in the form of an Order of Resource Area Delineation (ORAD) on the extent and boundaries of the wetland resource areas. You may appeal an ORAD within 10 days of its issuance. Abutters, ten residents of the community, and/or the MA DEP can also appeal during the 10-day period.

It is very likely that the area you are describing is a wetland, but only a soil test and examination of the vegetation can make an accurate determination. Contact a wetland scientist or the Conservation Commission before you plan or carry out any work.

Yes, an NOI will be required to be filed if the retaining wall is located on the shoreline of the lake. Work further away from the lake may qualify for an RDA filing. Please consult with the Conservation Department to determine which filing will be most appropriate for your particular project and proposed project location.

Yes, an RDA will likely be the required filing but a larger dock or one that is permanently anchored may require a NOI filing. Please consult with the Conservation Department to determine the correct filing type. In addition, you will need to file with the MA DEP to obtain a Chapter 91 license under the Massachusetts General Laws Public Waterfront Act. If you plan a dock that exceeds 600 square feet you will also need an engineered plan prepared by a licensed professional engineer.

Maybe. It depends on the type of stream, if it is what we call perennial (year round) or intermittent (flows sometimes). Whether it is perennial or intermittent is not something necessarily determined by how often you see water flowing, be sure to verify with the Conservation Agent before making any assumptions. If the location of the new deck is over 50 feet away from the bank of the stream, it may fall under an exemption for minor work depending on what is being built, check with the Conservation Agent to confirm your situation.

Be sure to file for permitting with the Building Department before beginning any work.

This depends on the number of trees being removed, whether you plan to remove stumps and the reason for the tree removal. Please consult the Conservation Department before proceeding with tree removal to determine how to proceed. Trees are important to wetlands as they moderate the temperature of wetlands creating specific habitat conditions integral to the survival of certain plants, wildlife, and invertebrates and providing habitat to wildlife and invertebrates even when they are dead. Additionally, tree roots stabilize the land in and around wetlands preventing erosion.

You should contact the Commission before proceeding with any project in or near this depression as it is possible what you are observing is a vernal pool.

Yes, as the property owner you are legally responsible for any and all work that occurs on your property. The marshy area may be a wetland, however, only a soil test and identification of vegetation can confirm this. You are required to obtain a permit before doing any work within a floodplain, within 100 feet of a wetland, and within 200 feet of a river or perennial stream. Please don't assume that your contractor knows this or that they will contact the Conservation Commission.

Contact the Conservation Commission immediately and do not attempt to intervene on your own. Provide the Conservation Commission with accurate information as to the location and the nature of the work being done. The Conservation Commission can confirm whether the work is being conducted under a permit and will investigate the work being done if necessary.

Typically the Planning Board is comprised of five members who are appointed by the Town Manager for a three-year term, as well as two alternates, appointed by the Board of Selectmen for a two-year term, who may be called upon for votes on Special Permits only in the case of a Members absence or conflict of interest in a particular case.

Planning Board members come from a broad spectrum of life. To qualify one does not need any particular degree but must be open-minded, willing to learn, and capable of reading and understanding the Dracut Zoning Bylaws.

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 Dracut Zoning Bylaws can be viewed or downloaded from this web page. Printed copies can be purchased for $10 at the Town Clerk's 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.

Floodplains are designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A map is available for viewing at the Building Department Office 978-454-0603 for help determining your flood zone.

Generally we do not unless a planning or zoning permit has been filed within the last ten years. You can check with the Building Department Office by calling 978-454-0603 who might have one on file. 

You will need an updated certified plot/site plan prepared by a Registered professional Land Surveyor.

You may come into the Building Department and discuss potential uses with the Building Inspector. Zoning District and Zoning Bylaw Use Codes will be considered, but the Building Commissioner is the definitive authority on zoning.

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. It can take 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 Final Decision is sealed and forwarded to the applicant. The applicant must then have that document recorded at the Middlesex North County Registry of Deeds. They are then free to pursue their building permit (which may take up to an additional 30 days).

Once your building permit has been granted, you must begin your project within six months or the permit lapses.

You may call 978-453-4557 and, if needed, set up an appointment to meet with the Town Planner. If you have any relevant plans to your project bring them with you. The Planner 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 head in one meeting, please call the Planning Office two to three weeks ahead and schedule a Departmental Staff Review. There is no charge for this service.

This information is contained in the Table of Standard Dimensional Requirements of the Dracut Zoning Bylaws which can be found either online or at the Building Department.

You can locate your Map and Parcel number from the Assessor home page of the Dracut Town Website. View the Assessors Department page. View the Online Database website. Enter your name and/or address. You can also call the Assessor's Office 978-453-2451 for assistance in looking up your information.

The Planning Board typically meets at 7 pm on the second and fourth Wednesday evening every month. Due to holidays, summer or other circumstances, these dates are subject to change. For a current schedule please see the Town Calendar page.

You can locate your Zoning District by either calling the Building Department at 978-454-0603 or on the Assessors Department page. View the Online Database website. Enter your name and/or address. You can also call the Assessor's Office 978-453-2451 for assistance in looking up your information.

In general the Planning Board is responsible for reviewing ANRs and Subdivision Plans; issuing Special Permits, Open Space Residential Developments, multiple dwellings, etc.; and participates in creating and updating Dracut Zoning Bylaws.

The Agenda closes at the end of day on the Wednesday the week prior to the meeting.

CodeRED is a new emergency notification service by which the Town of Dracut Emergency Services can notify Dracut residents and businesses by telephone, cellular phone, text message, or electronic mail about time-sensitive emergency situations or important Community alerts. The system is capable of sending messages only to specific neighborhoods or the entire Town.

Any message regarding the safety or welfare of our community would be disseminated using the CodeRED system. Examples would include severe weather warnings and updates, hazardous traffic or road conditions inside the town or affecting local routes, and any other situation that could impact the safety, property, or welfare of the Community. 

The CodeRED Database does use information received from public databases including regional phone books. Cellphones and Unlisted numbers may not be available. You can signup online to get notifications, this is the quickest way to sign up because the information you supply will immediately update Dracut's CodeRED telephone number database.

 If you do not have access to the internet at home, please consider using a computer at the Dracut Library or ask a friend or family member for assistance. Online registration is the most efficient, accurate and private way to supply your information.

To register online you might first have to adjust your internet browser to enable cookies, otherwise you may receive an error message. If you can not register online, you can call the Dracut Fire Department at 978-454-1526. It is our intention and hope that every residence and commercial facility in our community will be included in the notification database.

Yes.

Fill out the CodeRED online registration form but be sure to select the "This address is business" option. Please note that emergency calls can only be delivered to a direct dial number. Automated attendants will disrupt the process and the calls will not be delivered. Businesses should register their main number and establish a procedure for distributing the CodeRED message to their workforce. 

After you submit the initial registration form, you may start the registration process again and submit more numbers for the same address. 

CodeRED is a service of Network Emergency Communications (ECN) which takes security and privacy concerns very seriously and does not sell trade, lease or loan any data about clients to any third party. 

A CodeRED Emergency message will have a caller ID of 866-419-5000. A CodeRED General message will have a caller ID 855-969-4636. We suggest you program both numbers in your cell phone as a "new contact" and use "CodeRED Emergency" and "CodeRED General" as the contact name. If you need to replay the emergency notification message again, simply dial the number and you will be able to hear the message again. 

A CodeRED message will begin with the same standard announcement: "Hello, this is an emergency message from the Dracut Fire/Police Department". The message content will follow this standard introduction. 

Listen carefully to the entire message.

It will be brief and at the end of the message, you will have the option to repeat the message by pressing any key. Follow the instructions given. Do not hang up until you have heard the entire message, or you might miss vital information. Do not call 911 for further information unless directed to do so or if you need immediate aid from the Police or Fire Department. 

Make sure you have at least one working corded telephone - and be sure to turn the ringer on. 

The CodeRED sign-up form gives you the option of filling in both a Primary Phone number and an alternate phone number. You can fill in the Alternate Phone number with another contact number such as your cell phone number or work number. Entering an alternate phone number will cause both your primary and alternate phone numbers to be called. 

Yes, CodeRED will leave a message on a machine or on voice mail. Part of the CodeRED solution is the patented ability to recognize answering devices and leave the message completely in one pass. 

If the line is busy, CodeRED will try two more times to connect. 

• If you have moved or changed your phone number and have not registered your new contact information, CodeRED may not be able to contact you. 
• If you have only cordless phones in your residence, the power is out and you have not registered an alternate phone number, CodeRED will not be able to contact you. 
• If your line is busy for an extended period and your calls do not forward to voice mail or an answering machine in a busy condition, after three tries CodeRED will stop calling your number. The Town will receive a report of undelivered calls and can instruct CodeRED to begin another round of calls to busy numbers. It's best to have an alternate phone number in the calling database for these situations. 
• If you have privacy manager on your main phone service, CodeRED will not be able to contact you unless you have registered an alternate number that will accept the call. 

Unfortunately, post-dated check is not accepted in our office.

No, at this point the town does not charge for a duplicate bill fee(s).

The Fiscal Year runs from July 1st to June 30th.

Tax bills are issued four times within a Fiscal Year 

Due dates: August 1st, November 1st, February 1st and May 1st. 

To avoid interest charges, payments must be received in the Collectors office by the due dates. 

Payments can be made at Town Hall during normal business hours: 

• Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday
      8:30am to 4:30pm
• Tuesday
      8:30am to 7:00pm
• Friday
      8:30am to 1:00pm

Payment may also be dropped in our afterhours drop box, located near the handicap parking spots.  Payments dropped in the box after hours will be applied on the next business day. 

If you elect to mail your payment, our mailing information: 

Town of Dracut
Tax Collector Office
62 Arlington Street, Suite 119
Dracut, MA 01826

Online payment can be made from our website at  www.dracutma.gov. Once on the home page, select “ PAY BILL” , this will direct you to our online Vendor,  City Hall Systems to make your payment. 

The town also offer pay-by-phone payment option. For this option, call 508-268-1988.  

Partial payment is accepted on current Personal Property, Real Estate, Sewer and Water bills. 

All Boat and Motor Vehicle Excise Bills must be paid in full by the due date.  

Excise bill on warrant will be collected by our Deputy Collector Kelley and Ryan. You can pay online on the Kelley & Ryan website. 

Commonly referred to by the name “D.B.A” (doing business as) a business certificate creates a public record of the name and address of the owner(s) of a business.  

Any person conducting business in the Town of Dracut, under any title other than the real name of the owner, whether individually or as a partnership.  If a partnership, everyone must sign the application in the presence of the Town Clerk or a Notary Public.

A Business Certificate is in force and effect for four (4) years from the date of issue.  It must be renewed every four (4) years for as long as the business is operating.

The Business Certificate does not allow or permit any business rights with respect to the provisions of the Town of Dracut Zoning Bylaws and is not a permit to conduct business in a residential district unless is meets the most recent requirements which can be determined by reaching out to the Building Commissioner.

If you notice a water main break and it is after the main office hours, notify the Dracut Police non-emergency number at 978-957-2123 and they will notify the Kenwood Water Superintendent.

Kenwood Water bills are issued in April and October. The April bill covers the base rate from January 1 - June 30, and any excess used from the previous July 1 - December 31. The October bill covers the base rate from July 1 - December 31, and any excess used from the previous January 1 - June 30.

You have a few options for payment:

• In-person at Town Hall at the Tax Collector Office (first floor)
• Online using City Hall Systems
• Over the phone at (508) 381-5455

Questions about your actual bill can be directed to the Tax Collector Office at 978-452-1801 or the Kenwood Water Department at 978-957-0371. 

You’ll need to fill out the abatement request form, available on our website and in our office at Town Hall. The request should be made within 30 days of the current bill to be considered for abatement. 

Please call the Kenwood Water Department, 978-957-0371, if you have any questions. 

Please fill out the form on our website and we will provide a final read within 72 hours. 

If you’re in need of a final read in a shorter time frame, please contact us online with the following information: 

• Seller Name 
• Account Number 
• Buyer Name 
• Closing Attorney Name and Email 
• Address 
• Closing Date 
• Photo of meter (located in the basement/cellar) 

Please call our office at 978-957-0371. Our Inspector will visit your home to determine if the meter is in need of replacement, or if there might be something else causing an issue. 

If you suspect a leak in your service line, please call the Kenwood Water Department immediately at 978-957-0371 to report it. From there, our Inspector will come by to determine which side of the curb stop the leak is on.  

If the leak is on your side of the curb stop, the repair will be your responsibility. The following steps can be taken to facilitate the repair: 

1. Pull a $50 Repair Permit with the Kenwood Water Department at Town Hall 
2. Select an installer licensed with the Town/Kenwood Water Department. A list of these installers is available online and in our office at Town Hall (second floor).
3. Your selected installer will pull a $50 Trench Permit with the Kenwood Water Department and will coordinate with our Inspector for the date work will take place and an associated inspection 

If the leak is on the Town’s side of the curb stop, we will facilitate the repair and get things taken care of as soon as possible! 

Due to the smaller size of the Kenwood Water District (approximately 2,000 customers) compared to Dracut Water Supply’s District (approximately 27,000 customers), we are currently unable to offer an affordable option for an insurance plan. However, you have the option to find a private insurance provider with policies that cover water service repairs and replacements. If you have any questions about this, please contact us. 

No! All work related to water service repairs and replacements (from outside the home) must be completed by a water installer licensed with the Town. 

Please see our current list of installers. If you have any questions, please call our office at 978-957-0371. 

If you are experiencing low water pressure, please call our office at 978-957-0371. We will schedule a time for our Inspector to come take a look at your system to determine if something might be in need of repair.

DigSafe only calls electric and gas utilities once a ticket has been called in. You’ll need to let us know if you’re in need of a mark out and we’ll get out there! You can fill out our online DigSafe Request form and we will get in touch with you.

The flood plain is included as a layer in the Dracut GIS map.

For a more detailed answer email the Building Department or go directly to the FEMA Flood Map website.

Backyard chickens are allowed, within limits which you can read online.  If you have further questions, please feel free to contact Animal Control or the Building Dept.

Backyard chickens keeping has increased in popularity and while we encourage that, it has given rise to some conflict especially in densely developed neighborhoods.

 However it can be done successfully if some simple guidelines are followed: 

1. Talk to your neighbors. Unexpected changes are generally not welcomed, so stop by your neighbors and explain what you plan to do. The promise of the occasional fresh-laid egg always helps.
2. ROOSTERS. This is by far the main source of complaints. When chicks come from the supplier they are generally not sexed, so you can and likely will end up with one or more roosters. Often people are unsure as to what to do with them, but in the meantime they will awaken the entire neighborhood at the crack of dawn. You, the owner, may not object to this but your neighbors likely have different schedules, work 2^nd shift, etc. The hens are also much happier without the presence of a testosterone fueled rooster. It is strongly recommended that roosters not be kept.
3. Their coop is considered to be a shed, and should meet the shed rules (max of 120sq.ft, at least 10’ away from all lot lines, permit required.) 
4. Keep food in sealed containers. Rats are often unwelcome visitors to chicken coops but good hygiene can keep this to a minimum.
5. Have a plan for the waste and old bedding. Well-tended compost heaps can help solve this and be a boon to the garden.
6. Have a plan for the winter. Chickens don’t like cold and wet weather any more than we do, so make sure they have somewhere warm and safe.
7. “Good fences make good neighbors.” Make sure they don’t stray beyond your own property.

Good luck with your Backyard Chickens!

The Building Department has “as-built” plot plans of most new construction and additions going back to approximately the 1980’s, which we would be happy to provide copies of.  Please email the request to the Building Department. If no work has been done on your property in that time period, we may not have one and you will likely need to employ a MA Registered Land Surveyor.   

No, as long as the fence is less than six feet high and you are confident (with help from a plot plan or a Registered Land Surveyor) that it is located entirely on your property. However, fences within 35 feet of a street intersection may not be higher than 42 inches above grade, so as not to obstruct the line of sight of drivers at the intersection. This rule is enforced by the Police Department. 

Yes.  To apply for a permit to alter your driveway, please visit us on our online permitting system (Viewpoint). For more details, please contact the Stormwater Department.

Complaints are best done online using our online permitting system (Viewpoint). Your one stop shop for all Building Department needs (i.e. permits, inspections, etc.).

In general, a permit is required to:

• construct
• reconstruct
• alter
• repair
• remove
• demolish a structure
• or to change the use of occupancy of a building/structure. 

Ordinary, non-structural repairs (generally six sq. ft. or less), fences less than six feet in height, walls less than four feet high, one story detached shed, playhouses, etc. which are less than 120sq.ft. in area.  (Zoning requires that they meet front setbacks of 30’, side and rear setbacks of at least 10’.)

If you engage in Ice Cream Truck vending or operation, this regulation requires that you obtain a permit from the Permitting Authority within the municipality where you live or plans to operate the Ice Cream Truck.

Every person who intends to engage in Ice Cream Truck vending must obtain a valid permit issued by the Permitting Authority. Ice Cream Truck vending is defined as the selling, displaying or offering to sell ice cream or any other prepackaged food product from an Ice Cream Truck.

No. The regulation provides that every person who intends to engage in ice cream truck vending must obtain a permit and defines an ice cream truck as any motor vehicle used for selling, displaying, or offering to sell ice cream. If your truck does not carry ice cream products, then you will not be required to obtain a permit. 

There are two ways to obtain a permit:  either by applying to the municipality where the applicant lives or by applying to the municipality where the applicant plans to operate the Ice Cream Truck.  An applicant who obtains a permit in the municipality where he or she lives may operate without restriction in any other municipality.  However, an applicant who obtains a permit in a particular municipality where he or she intends to operate is restricted to operating in that municipality.

Applicants may obtain a Department-approved permit application from their local Permitting Authority.

Permitting and enforcement will all be done by the local Permitting Authority and not the Department of Public Safety.  Please direct all inquires to your local Permitting Authority.

The Permitting Authority is the chief of police or the board or officer having control of the police in a city or town.  The Permitting Authority may also be a person authorized by the chief of police, the board or officer.

Yes, a validly issued permit must be conspicuously displayed and clearly visible on the windshield of the Ice Cream Truck.

Yes, every person who intends to engage in ice cream truck vending is required to obtain a permit.

No, the information contained in an applicant’s criminal record will be used solely for the purpose of determining the applicant’s eligibility for a permit.

Based on the results of the investigation into the applicant’s criminal history, the Permitting Authority will determine the applicant’s eligibility. However, in no case will a permit be issued to a person who is a sex offender as defined by M.G.L. c. 6 § 178C.

The Permitting Authority of the municipality where the applicant applies will determine whether to require a fee for conducting the requisite criminal background check.

The criminal background check is required by statute.  M.G.L. c. 270 § 25 directs the Department to draft regulations which include a requirement that a Permitting Authority conduct an investigation into the criminal history of a permit applicant to determine his or her eligibility.  

Multi-family housing must be allowed as-of-right. This means that no variance or special permits are required.  Site Plan Review is allowable.  The regulations shall be without age restrictions and shall be suitable for families with children.

A compliant district must have a minimum gross density of 15 units per acre. 

The district must be of “reasonable” size, which the Commonwealth has defined as a minimum of 50 acres in total area. The district does not have to be contiguous, however, and can contain parcels in different areas with a minimum area of 5 acres and at least one contiguous area including half of the required district size.

The district must create capacity for at least 10% of the existing housing stock in Dracut.  This means an additional 1,233 residential units.  Compliance at the minimum allowable density, 15 units per acre, will require 82.2 acres of land.

As shown on this map created by NMCOG, the following areas are excluded:

• All publicly owned land, except for portions of lots determined to be developable public land. 
• All rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and other surface waterbodies. 
• All wetland resource areas, together with a buffer zone around wetlands and waterbodies equivalent to the minimum setback required by title 5 of the state environmental code. 
• Protected open space and recreational land that is legally protected in perpetuity, or that is likely to remain undeveloped due to functional or traditional use (for example, cemeteries). 
• All public rights-of-way and private rights-of-way. 
• Privately-owned land on which development is prohibited to protect water supplies.
• Privately-owned land used for educational or institutional uses such as a hospital, utility, museum, or private school/university.

NMCOG created a series of maps that identify amenities and services of interest, culminating in single map showing the areas with multiple amenities:

• Existing Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) and Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) Bus Routes and stops
• Existing sidewalks
• Public water infrastructure
• Public wastewater infrastructure
• Schools, parks or open space and commercial services

Failure to comply with the law means the Town would become vulnerable to civil enforcement action by the State and potentially risk liability under Federal and State fair housing laws.

The community would also become ineligible or less likely to receive a wide range of state grants.  These grants have provided over a million dollars to the Town of Dracut in recent years.

An observation on iNaturalist documents an interaction with an individual organism at a specific time and place. This encompasses encounters with signs of organisms, such as tracks or nests. When creating an observation, you'll provide:

• Your Identity: Create an iNaturalist Account (share only your own findings).
• What You Saw: Specify a group or, ideally, a particular organism. If unsure, the iNaturalist Community can assist with identification.
• Location: Record coordinates and accuracy (location can be obscured from the public).
• Time: Note the date of your encounter (not the posting date).
• Evidence: Include photos or sounds to aid the community in confirming the identification.

While not mandatory, including all these elements ensures your observation meets research standards for science. Remember, create separate observations for each distinct organism. If the observed item is not wild, like a garden plant or a zoo lion, mark it as captive/cultivated to avoid it being classified as research quality.

We're so excited that you want to contribute to the fascinating world of local biodiversity by adding your observations of organisms to iNaturalist! Your input helps scientists and nature enthusiasts better understand and appreciate the unique ecosystems in our community.

To get started, the first place you need to head is the App Store and download the iNaturalist app, and you'll be on your way to documenting the wonders of nature around Dracut. Your observations contribute to a collective effort to map and protect the diverse species that call our region home.

Join us in making Dracut's natural beauty known to the world. Let's celebrate the incredible richness of our environment together!

Happy observing!

To post your observation, you want to follow the steps listed below!

1. Begin by tapping "Observe."
2. Attach one or more photos as supporting evidence.
3. Specify the details of your observation.
4. The timestamp of your observation will be added automatically.
5. The location of your observation will be added automatically. If not, please review the Privacy settings in the Settings app.
6. Save your observation.
7. Upload to share with the community. This should happen automatically. If it doesn't, tap the Upload button. You can turn off automatic upload from the app settings from the Me tab.
8. Check back for activity on your observation from the community or be notified by email to the address in your account settings.

If you want to add an observation but have an Android, worry not! We have a quick guide on how you too can contribute findings of local organisms you came across in Dracut! 

Learn how to How to make an Observation with your Android.

We're so excited that you want to contribute to the fascinating world of local biodiversity by adding your observations of organisms to iNaturalist! Your input helps scientists and nature enthusiasts better understand and appreciate the unique ecosystems in our community.

To get started, the first place you need to head is the Google Play Store and download the iNaturalist app, and you'll be on your way to documenting the wonders of nature around Dracut. Your observations contribute to a collective effort to map and protect the diverse species that call our region home.

Join us in making Dracut's natural beauty known to the world. Let's celebrate the incredible richness of our environment together!

Happy observing!

To post your observation, you want to follow the steps listed below!

1. Begin by tapping "Observe."
   
2. Attach one or more photos as supporting evidence.
3. Specify the details of your observation.
4. The timestamp of your observation will be added automatically.
5. The location of your observation will be added automatically. If not, please review the Privacy settings in the Settings app.
6. Save your observation.
7. Sync to share with the community. This should happen automatically. If it doesn't, tap the button. You can turn off auto upload from the Settings tab.
8. Check back for activity on your observation from the community or be notified by email to the address in your account settings.

If you want to add an observation but have an iPhone, worry not! We have a quick guide on how you too can contribute findings of local organisms you came across in Dracut! 

Learn how to How to make an Observation with your iPhone. 

The next election date can be found on the Elections Information Page. 

You can also sign up for email notices to stay up-to-date on upcoming elections.

Where to Vote

Find your designated polling location based on your precinct:

• Precincts 1, 5, & 6A: Senior Center, 951 Mammoth Rd
• Precincts 4 & 8: M.G. Parker Memorial Library, 28 Arlington St
• Precincts 2, 3, 6, 7, & 9: Richardson Middle School, 1570 Lakeview Ave

Precinct Lookup:

You can use the Massachusetts Polling Location Lookup to find your designated polling place, this will show you both your precinct as well as your voting location.

You can either call the Town Clerk's Office or you can check online at the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Website.

To update your registration, visit the Massachusetts Voter Registration Page or contact the Dracut Town Clerk’s office. You'll need to provide your updated information, such as your new name or address, to ensure you're registered to vote at the correct polling location.

For the information to show on the next election you will need to do this at least 10 days before the upcoming election.  So, be sure to complete the update well before the voter registration deadline for the upcoming election. For specific deadlines, visit the Elections Information Page.

Check your voter status online using the Massachusetts Voter Registration Lookup.

Every year, each city and town gathers resident information for an Annual Street List. This is also known as a  town census.  The Town of Dracut mails you the form in the mail in January, you need to fill it out, sign it and mail it back to confirm your address.

If you don’t respond to the Annual Street List, you will be put on the inactive voters list. Dracut will then send you a notice. If you sign it and return it you will be removed from the inactive voters list.

If you are on the inactive voter list, you can still vote. Bring identification to your polling place. You must fill out an Affirmation of Current and Continuous Residence. This allows you to cast your ballot. You’ll be added to the active voter list.

Check Your Voter Status: You can still vote if your voter status is "Inactive"; however, you will be required to complete additional forms and show a Valid ID at the polls. 

Early voting is a method that lets registered voters cast their ballots before the official Election Day. In Massachusetts, you may choose to vote early either in person at a designated early‑voting location, or by mail; you don’t need a special reason or excuse. 

Early‑in‑person voting takes place during a fixed early‑voting period prior to an election. 

If your election is eligible for early voting, the town will announce the specific early‑voting dates, times, and locations. For vote‑by‑mail ballots, you must submit your request ahead of the deadline set by local election officials

To receive early voting updates directly, you can sign up for email notices.

Voting Early in Massachusetts

In Person (Early Voting)

In Person Early Voting takes place at the Dracut Town Hall at 62 Arlington St, Dracut, MA during a fixed early voting hours. Residents can subscribe to get notices of upcoming elections and early voting dates using NotifyMe, and can always check out the Elections Calendar to stay informed!

By Mail (Early Voting)

Massachusetts voters now have the option to vote early by mail in all elections, with no excuse required.

Ways to apply for Vote by Mail Ballot

• Online: Using the state’s Mail‑in Ballot Application System.
• Via mail: Mail an Vote by Application (PDF) to the Town Clerk's Office at 62 Arlington St, Dracut, MA
• Via email: Email a scan or photo
• In person: Visit the Town Clerk's Office at 62 Arlington St, Dracut, MA to receive and/or return an application

Important Reminders

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• You must be a registered voter in Dracut before requesting a ballot.
  • If you need to update your voter registration (for example, because you moved or changed your name), do that before submitting your Vote‑by‑Mail application.
  • In Massachusetts, you must register to vote, or update your voter registration, at least 10 days prior to any election to be eligible.
• Your mail-in application must reach your local election officials by 5 PM on the 5th business day before the election.
• No matter when the application is postmarked, your application must be at the local election office by the deadline. Apply as early as possible, especially if your ballot will need to be mailed out of town. The Postal Service recommends allowing up to 7 days for mail delivery. To ensure that you receive your ballot with enough time to mail it back, you should apply 2 to 3 weeks before Election Day.

Yes, a vote by mail application is only good for one calendar year.