[Amended 5-9-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-10]
[Amended 7-15-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-40]
The Collector Division shall be under the charge of the City
Collector who, in addition to the duties prescribed in this division,
shall have and exercise all the powers and duties of collectors of
taxes of cities and shall render such other service and furnish such
information respecting the accounts, finances or payments of or to
the City as the City Council or any committee thereof may require.
The City Collector shall collect and receive all moneys to be
paid to or for the use of the City, except such fees required to be
paid to the City Clerk, and except where other provision is made.
The Watuppa Water Board and the other several officers, departments
and boards of the City shall, except where other provision is made,
cause to be delivered to the City Collector at the time when the accounts
or debts shall fall due, a list of the accounts or debts held by such
officers, departments or boards against any person indebted to the
City, together with the bills for such accounts or debts ready for
mailing. The City Collector shall forthwith proceed to collect such
bills or accounts, and his receipts shall be deemed the only valid
and sufficient discharge thereof. In any case where he is unable to
obtain the immediate settlement, he may require the Corporation Counsel
to bring an action to enforce payment, or he may report the matter
in writing to the Mayor and follow such directions as the Mayor may
prescribe.
[Added 6-13-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-8[1]]
The primary function of the Treasurer-Collector is to preserve,
protect and manage the financial resources of the City. The Treasurer-Collector
is responsible for receipt, accurate accounting, and prudent investment
of all City funds in order to maximize yields while maintaining adequate
liquidity and ensuring compliance with Massachusetts General Laws,
City of Fall River ordinances, and any other applicable financial
mandates. The Treasurer-Collector is also responsible for negotiating
all municipal borrowings (both short- and long-term), collecting committed
taxes (real estate, personal property, and auto excise), and providing
prompt and courteous assistance to the taxpayers and residents of
the City. The Treasurer-Collector will have direct supervision of
all personnel in both the Treasurer Division and the Collector Division,
including the tax title function.
The City Collector shall forthwith, after receipt of a warrant
and tax list from the Assessors and within the time required by law,
make out and distribute tax bills to each taxpayer, showing the taxes
assessed to him.
The City Collector shall serve on all persons whose taxes for
that year are then unpaid a statement of the amount and a demand for
the payment of the taxes with the interest required by law and the
cost of the demand as required by law and the cost of the demand as
required by MGL c. 60. In case the taxes shall not be paid forthwith,
the City Collector shall proceed to their collection according to
law. The foregoing provisions of this section shall not apply to motor
vehicle excise taxes, but the Collector shall proceed to collect the
taxes expeditiously and as required by law.
[Amended 5-13-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-21]
Unless otherwise provided by law, the City Collector, whenever
an account for municipal charges or bills is delivered to such Collector
for collection, shall forthwith demand payment of the same. The payment
for such account shall be due and payable within 30 days from the
date of mailing. Interest at the rate specified under the provisions
of MGL c. 59, § 57 shall be added to all accounts that remain
unpaid after said due date. The Collector shall take any and all action
authorized by law to collect any unpaid account as follows: police
details, fire details, EMS charges, business certificates, petroleum
licenses, fire alarm permits, demolitions revolving fund charges,
cleaning and securing vacant and blighted property revolving fund,
damage to City property and charges, fees and penalties associated
with underpayments, returned checks and late applications.
[Amended 7-15-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-30[1]]
The fee schedule for a municipal lien certificate under MGL c. 60, § 23 is hereby established pursuant to MGL c. 40, § 22F as set forth in Chapter A110, Fee Schedule, of the City Code for the following: land less than one acre upon which there is no permanent structure; land upon which is situated no more than a single-family residence and outbuildings; land upon which is situated no more than a two-family residence and outbuildings; land upon which is situated no more than a three-family residence and outbuildings; land upon which is situated a residence for four or more families; land upon which is situated a commercial, industrial or public utility structure; farms, forest land and all other real estate. In no case shall the fee exceed 1/2 of 1% of the assessed value of the real estate, and all funds so received shall be paid into the City's general fund.
