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Cable TV Channel 10/47Frequently Asked Questions A to Z
Coyotes are roaming around my property. What can
I do?
Call the Emergency Center Operator at (978) 887-2116. The Dispatcher
will contact the Animal Control Officer.
Beavers are encroaching on my property. What can be done?
What should I do about a sick, injured or disoriented wild animal
on my street or property?
Do not approach the animal and be sure to keep your children and pets
away. Call the Emergency Center Operator at (978) 887-2116.
The Dispatcher will contact the appropriate authority.
How do I get a dead animal removed from my street?
Call the Parks & Cemetery Department at (978) 887-1525.
Is hunting allowed in Topsfield?
Chapter
XXVIII of the Town Code regulates hunting and trapping in Topsfield.
Written consent from the Board of Selectmen (for Town property) or from
the property owner or legal occupant (for private property) is required
for hunting, trapping and the discharge of firearms in the Town of Topsfield.
Is open burning allowed?
Open burning is allowed starting on January 15th and going through April
30th on approved days between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM with a permit
that has been issued at Fire Headquarters. The $10 permits
are issued at the Topsfield Fire Station on High Street 7 days a week
from 6 AM to 6 PM.
I’m preparing to sell my house. What official
steps do I need to take?
You will need to have a Title V Certificate indicating that your septic
system meets specific requirements for your dwelling. Contact a
company that specializes in septic systems for more details. You
will also need to obtain a Certificate of Compliance (certifying that
the proper number of smoke detectors have been installed and are in the
proper locations and that the detectors are all in excellent working condition)
from the Topsfield Fire Department. Contact them at their non-emergency
number (978) 887-5148 to set up an appointment.
Where can I find the local cable channel programming schedule? The Tri-Town Transcript newspaper carries the weekly Cable TV schedule. Channel 10 (Comcast) and Channel 47 (Verizon) carry the Cable TV schedule when ever there is not a scheduled program being broadcast. The Town Website carries the local TV schedule which can be found on the Home Page.
How do I get a notice posted on the Channel 10/47 Cable TV
Community Bulletin Board?
Public service announcements are run on Channel 10/47 free of charge for
Topsfield, Boxford and Middleton non-profit organizations, government
agencies and schools. Download the necessary form here or
pick one up at Town Hall in the Mail Room on the first floor. You
may also call the Cable Office at (978) 887-1544. Completed forms
can be dropped off or mailed to the Town Hall or faxed to (978) 887-1502.
Forms must be received at least one week prior to the start date.
How do I get a plot in the Topsfield Cemetery?
Please refer to the Park
and Cemetery Rules and Regulations.
How do I find the location of a grave in the town cemetery?
Check with the Topsfield Town Library or the Park and Cemetery Department.
When do I need a permit before altering my house?What
does the town require?
Each home building project is different. The permits that you will
need depend upon the extent of your project and the nature of your property.
Call Inspectional Services
at (978) 887-1522 to arrange an appointment with the Building Inspector
who will be able to advise you about the permitting process.
How will I know if I am restricted by conservation rules?
Contact the Conservation Administrator who holds office hours at Town
Hall. The phone number is (978) 887-1510.
Dial 911 for all emergencies. For less urgent matters, call the Dispatcher at (978) 887-2116.
What are the rules governing in-law apartments?
Article VII,
Section 7.03 of the Zoning By-laws provides the rules for accessory
apartments.
Licenses, Permits and Certificates
Where can I get my child’s birth certificate
if we lived in Topsfield when he or she was born?
Birth certificates for anyone born in Topsfield are available in Town
Hall at the Town Clerk’s Office. The phone number is (978)
887-1505.
Where do I go for a dog license?
Dog licenses are issued in the Office
of the Town Clerk at Town Hall. Forms are sent out annually
along with the town census form. The phone number is (978) 887-1505.
Is there public swimming in Topsfield?
Members may swim at Hood’s Pond on Route 97 from June through September.
Applications for membership (and Red Cross swimming lessons) are available
at the Topsfield Library and in Town Hall beginning in March. The
phone number is (978) 887-3799.
Where are the parks in Topsfield and for what activities
are they designed?
KLOCK PARK on North Street has soccer and baseball/softball fields.
PYE BROOK COMMUNITY PARK on Haverhill Road (Route 97) has 4 baseball/softball
fields, multi-purpose fields used for soccer, football and lacrosse, an
equestrian park, a walking trail, a small toddler play area and a disc
golf course.
PROCTOR SCHOOL on Main Street has baseball/softball fields, a basketball
court, 2 tennis courts, and multiple play structures.
STEWARD SCHOOL on Perkins Row has a softball field, tennis courts and
multiple play structures (for school recess).
EMERSON FIELD (owned by the Congregational Church and leased by the Town),
located behind the Emerson Center on East Common Street, has multi-purpose
fields used for soccer and baseball/softball.
Whom should I contact to register my kids or myself in sports?
The web site of the Topsfield Athletic Association, www.taasports.com,
will provide information about most athletic programs available
in the Tri-Town area. For specific sports, refer to the reference
web site list below:
Baseball/softball-www.taasports.com
Basketball-www.baasports.com
Football-www.mascoyouthfootball.com
Hockey-www.mascohockey.com
Lacrosse-www.triballax.com
Soccer-www.taasports.com
Wrestling-www.taasports.com
The Topsfield Recreation Committee offers programs such as tennis, running and floor hockey during the school year. Information is available at www.topsfieldrecreation.org
Are there public basketball or tennis courts?
An outdoor basketball court is located behind the Proctor School on Main
Street. Public tennis courts are located behind both Proctor and
Steward Schools.
How do I register my dog?
Dogs should be registered in the Office of the Town Clerk at Town Hall.
Forms are sent out annually along with the town census form. The
phone number is (978) 887-1505.
Is there a leash law in Topsfield?
There is no leash law in Topsfield. The Canine Control By-law’s
purpose is to set up procedures to register dogs and to establish rules
and regulations for the control of dog complaints caused by nuisance.
Animal behavior which constitutes a nuisance includes, but is not limited
to the following: molesting passerby or passing vehicles (including
bicycles), attacking persons or domestic animals, trespassing on school
grounds or other public property, damaging public or private property,
barking , whining, or howling in an excessive, continuous, or untimely
fashion.
My neighbor’s dog is a nuisance (barking, loitering on my property). What can I do?
How do I report a lost or abandoned pet on my street
or property?
Call the Emergency Center Operator at (978) 887-2116. The Dispatcher
will contact the Animal Control Officer.
What are the Post Office hours of operation?
The Topsfield Post Office at 4 Main Street is open Monday-Friday from
8 AM – 5 PM. On Saturday, the hours are 9 AM – 12 PM.
PO Boxes are open for extended periods. For more information, call
(978) 887-6105.
How do I get a passport in Topsfield?
The Topsfield Post Office at 4 Main Street processes passports.
Applications are available during regular business hours, although processing
occurs only at specific times, which are published at the Topsfield Post
Office. Call (978) 887-6105 for more information.
Whom do I call to report a pothole or another problem
with the road?
Any non-urgent road problems should be reported to the Topsfield Highway
Department at (978) 887-1542. More urgent issues should be reported
to the Emergency Center Operator at (978) 887-2116.
What services are available to seniors?
Many services are available to Topsfield seniors through the Topsfield
Council on Aging. Contact the COA Director at (978) 887-1523.
Information about complimentary van transportation is available at (978)
887-6866.
Does Meals on Wheels deliver in Topsfield?
Meals on Wheels services are available in Topsfield. Contact the
Council on Aging at (978) 887-1523.
What is everything a homeowner should know about septic systems?
Most dwellings in Topsfield utilize septic systems to process gray water
from appliances and sinks and waste produced in toilets. Homeowners
should educate themselves about this critical system by reading the information
available at reliable web sites such as http://www.epa.gov/owm/septic/pubs/homeowner_guide_long.pdf
or by contacting a septic system company.
Can I pay my taxes online?
Yes, follow the link on the home page that will take you to https://unipay.unibank.com/onlinepaymentcenter/accountinfo.asp?muni=1054&ttid
What is the process for filing for tax abatement?
If a taxpayer is aggrieved by his or her valuation, he or she may appeal to the Board of Assessors by filing an application for abatement during the statutory period. The Town of Topsfield uses the quarterly tax billing system. Thus the appeal period is measured from the date the actual bills are mailed not the preliminary bills. This is usually the third quarter bill issued on or before December 31st of each year, due and payable on or before February 1st. Additional information is available on the back of your tax bill and at the Assessor’s website.
Is there a thrift shop in town?
The Box Top Shop, which is operated by the volunteers of the Topsfield/Boxford
Community Club, on 7 School Street features both a thrift shop and a consignment
store where treasures are sold to support such groups as VNA Care Network,
Elder Health Care program, Scholarships to area schools, Council of Aging,
HAWC (Help for abused women and children), Plowshares, Tewksbury State
Hospital, and people in need.
What is happening at the Topsfield Fairgrounds this
weekend?
The Topsfield Fair is held annually by the Essex Agricultural Society,
a private non-profit organization. Complete details about all Topsfield
Fairground events are available at www.topsfieldfair.org
or by calling (978)887-5000.
When is Town Hall open?
Regular business hours at Town Hall are Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM- 4:00
PM and on Fridays from 8:00 AM-12:00 PM. The main telephone number
is (978) 887-1500. During non-business hours, please call the Emergency
Center at (978) 887-2116 to report an urgent problem.
What offices are located in Town Hall?
Selectmen, Community Development, Town Accountant, Assessor, Tax Collector,
Inspectional Services, Town Clerk, Conservation Commission, Board of Health
Council on Aging.
Where can I learn more about the Clock Tower?
The Keepers of the Clock, Bob Winship and Norm Isler, are happy to share
their knowledge of this town treasure. They may be reached through
the Selectmen's Office at 978-887-1500.
My trash or recycling wasn’t picked up.
Whom do I call?
To report a problem with trash or recycling pick-up, call the Selectmen’s
office at (97) 887-1500. Remember to have your trash and recycling
out by 7 AM on collection day.
When do I need a trash sticker?
Trash Stickers must be used when more than one (35 lb. or less) trash
barrel is required. The first trash receptacle that you put at the
curb should have affixed an official trash decal that is issued in the
Selectmen’s Office. Each household is allowed one barrel for
waste weekly. A single sticker should be attached to the top item
inside additional trash receptacles or 2 stickers are required on bulky
items such as mattresses. Stickers may be purchased at Dawson’s
True Value Hardware in the Topsfield, Village Shopping Centre, at Cumberland
Farms on Main Street and at the Essex County Co-op on Route 1 for $1.50/sticker.
See the Trash and Recycling page in
Services for more information.
Where can I get a new recycling bin?
Recycling bins, which are color-coded by region in Topsfield, are available
for purchase at Dawson’s True Value Hardware in the Topsfield Village
Shopping Centre and at the Essex County Co-op on Route 1.
How do I get rid of my old appliances and other heavy metals?
Each October on the regular trash collection days, the town offers
heavy metal curbside pick-up at no charge to residents. Specific
details about items eligible for disposal will be provided in the local
newspapers in the weeks prior to the collection.
Is there a way to properly dispose of hazardous waste?
Each year in early November, a hazardous waste collection day is offered
to Tri-Town (Topsfield, Middleton and Boxford) residents. Local
newspapers will announce the date and the items eligible for disposal.
Topsfield residents may dispose of motor oil at the Boxford Recycling
Center on Spofford Pond Road each Saturday morning.
Is there a public composting facility?
The Topsfield composting site, which is located behind the Public Works
Facility building on the northbound side of Route 1 between Route 97 and
Ipswich Road, is open to Topsfield residents every Saturday morning from
9 AM to 1 PM beginning April 1st through November 24th. Residents may
drop off leaves, brush, branches, and grass clippings only. Leaves and
grass clippings must be kept separate from brush and branches. Stumps,
logs, and branches larger than 4 inches in diameter may not be brought
to the composting site. .Christmas trees (with all decorations removed)
may be disposed at the composting facility in the 3 weeks following Christmas.
If I want to take down some trees, whom should I contact?
The tree warden should be contacted before any trees are removed from
your property. The phone number is (978) 887-1542.
There’s a tree or large branch blocking the street.
How do I get it removed?
Contact the Highway Department at (978) 887-1542 or the Emergency Center
Operator at (978) 887-2116.
My water has an unusual color or odor. Whom would
I contact?
Notify the Topsfield Water Department at (978) 887-1517.
Are there any watering restrictions?
Water restrictions will be posted at the borders of the town as well as
in the center of town. They will also appear in the local newspapers,
on channel 10/47 and on the topsfield.org web site. Please follow
all guidelines to help save the Ipswich River.
Where does my water come from?
Most dwellings in Topsfield get their water from the town supply.
Those who don’t have private wells.
Where do I register to vote?
In the Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall.
Who are my elected officials?
Please refer to the Phone
and E-mail listing on the website.
How do I get a notice posted on the Town Web Site Community
Events calendar?
Public service announcements are posted on www.topsfield.org
for non-profit organizations, government agencies and schools.
Download the necessary form here
or pick one up at Town Hall just in the Mail Room on the first floore.
You may also call the Cable Office at (978) 887-1544. Completed
forms can be dropped off or mailed to the Town Hall or faxed to (978)
887-1502. Forms must be received at least one week prior to
the start date.