Live in Devens

The Assessor’s office is committed to maintaining an assessment system that Devens’ taxpayers can look to as fair, equitable, and responsive to the community’s revenue needs.

Assessor

Jonathan Frank

Board of Assessors

Dave Abdoo, Chairman
Don Frye
Marty Poutry

Current Tax Rates

Residential: $12.55
Commercial/Industrial: $17.27

For questions related to Municipal Lien Certificates or Real Estate Tax bills, please email the Accounts Receivable Department.

• Municipal Lien Certificate (MLC) requests should be sent to the attention of Accounts Receivable, 33 Andrews Parkway, Devens, MA 01434. MLC fees are $50 and $200 for residential and commercial properties, respectively. Please make checks payable to MassDevelopment.

All other inquiries should be emailed to Lisa Kalinowski, MassDevelopment.

Pay Bills Online

MassDevelopment’s Engineering Services supports the Devens community and is responsible for parcel development, address assignments, capital construction projects (such as roads), and maintaining the Devens GIS system.

Complete Streets

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) established a funding program to encourage municipalities to regularly and routinely include “Complete Streets” design elements and infrastructure locally. A Complete Street provides safe and accessible options for all travel modes, including walking, biking, public transit, and private vehicles, for all ages and abilities. The previously adopted "Devens Complete Streets Policy" which incorporated principles that contribute to the overall safety, health, economic viability, and quality of life of the community has been updated to incorporate sustainable Green Streets design elements such as green stormwater infrastructure, shade trees, and the use of recycled materials, to protect and create a healthier natural and social environment, improve air and water quality, and help reduce localized flooding. The Devens Green and Complete Streets Policy will be applied to projects previously identified in the Devens Complete Streets Prioritization Plan and to other projects undertaken throughout Devens.

Planning & Zoning

The Devens Enterprise Commission acts as the regulatory and permitting authority for the community. Its role is to administer and enforce the reuse plan, bylaws, regulations, and sustainability vision. The commission functions as a board of health, conservation commission, zoning board of appeals, historic district commission, and planning board.

Devens Enterprise Commission
33 Andrews Parkway, Devens
978-772-8831 ext. 3313

Stormwater Management

The Devens Department of Public Works & Recreation maintains the public stormwater system in Devens. The system provides for the collection and treatment of rainwater runoff from public buildings and roads.

Stormwater runoff is rainfall and melting snow that is not absorbed into the ground and instead runs over land until it finds its way to sensitive water resources including wetlands, rivers, ponds, and streams. As it flows over land, driveways, parking lots, and roads, it can pick up material such as trash, excess fertilizer, oil, salt, and sand. A carefully designed and properly maintained stormwater system keeps our environment clean and protects our water resources.

If you have questions or comments regarding the Devens stormwater system, please email stormwater@massdevelopment.com.

Think Blue Massachusetts
A statewide educational campaign to help residents and businesses do their part to reduce polluted runoff and keep our state’s lakes, rivers, and streams clean and healthy.

Traffic

The Devens Reuse Plan outlines a thoughtful guideline for the Devens road network. Jackson Road is the primary north/south roadway providing a connection from West Main Street in Ayer, and other areas north of Devens, to Route 2 at Interchange 37. Barnum Road connects Routes 2A, 110, and 111 from the Ayer rotary to Patton Road and Jackson Road. Hospital Road connects Front Street in Shirley to Jackson Road.

MassDevelopment’s environmental mission in Devens is to ensure that the land once used and impacted as a former military base becomes and remains suitable for productive reuse whether it be for recreational, open space, industrial, or residential purposes. We work closely with the U.S. Army, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), and local stakeholders.

Resources for Environmental Due Diligence

Devens maintains a repository of current and historical documents that may be helpful for property owners and prospective property owners performing due diligence work.

For assistance, please contact:
Meg Delorier, Acting Executive Vice President Devens Operations & Director of Military Initiatives 
MassDevelopment
33 Andrews Parkway, Devens
978-784-2933

Former Fort Devens Superfund Site

The Fort Devens Superfund Site was listed on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Priorities List in 1989. The U.S. Army and EPA signed a Federal Facility Agreement (FFA) in 1991. Under the FFA, the U.S. Army is considered the lead agency and EPA provides oversight as the lead regulatory agency. Although not a signatory to the FFA, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has a participatory role in the investigation and remediation process. The U.S. Army holds primary responsibility for investigation, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of all removal, response, and remedial actions performed at the former military base.

Historical Contamination

The U.S. Army evaluates Study Areas across the former federal facility where releases of contaminants are suspected or known to have occurred and determines whether those areas pose a threat or potential threat to human health and the environment and warrant more detailed investigation. Of the 324 sites initially identified by the Army, 54 required cleanups.

Environmental Cleanup

Of the 54 sites identified as needing cleanup, all have been evaluated and either removed from further evaluation/action or have cleanup plans in place. Most of these sites are in the long-term monitoring phase, where groundwater, surface water, and/or sediments are regularly monitored. Sites where contamination remains above levels that allow for unrestricted use/unlimited exposure have land-use controls in place and are inspected annually. Sites with ongoing cleanup actions must be evaluated at least every five years to ensure that the selected cleanup action remains protective of human health and the environment.

Devens Regional Enterprise Zone

The end result of the Superfund process at Devens is to clean up land that was once considered contaminated and return it to productive use. To date, approximately 1,080 acres have been transferred to other federal agencies and almost 3,000 acres have been transferred to MassDevelopment. MassDevelopment, in turn, transfers the land to private parties for commercial, industrial, residential, recreational, open space, and other positive uses.

Current PFAS Remedial Investigation

In response to EPA comments, the U.S. Army performed an Expedited Site Investigation in 2016 to evaluate the possible presence of emerging contaminants known as poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), specifically two PFAS -- perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) -- at the former Fort Devens. The study also included sampling of Devens and nearby municipal water supply wells. Based on initial data collected, the U.S. Army, MassDevelopment, MassDEP, and EPA agreed that a more comprehensive site-wide investigation was warranted. In 2018, the U.S. Army commenced a site-wide PFAS Remedial Investigation that included collection of soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment samples and municipal water supply well samples to identify possible source areas and delineate the full extent of PFOA/PFOS contamination within and beyond former base boundaries. This investigation is ongoing. While the Army conducts its PFAS investigation, MassDevelopment decided to act early and independently to treat all of its drinking water wells so that PFAS levels in the finished drinking water are below state and federal regulatory limits. Please see the Utilities for more information on Devens’ drinking water supply.

Public Information and Participation

The U.S. Army holds quarterly Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meetings to update the public on the status of the cleanup. The EPA, MassDEP, MassDevelopment, and the People of Ayer Concerned about the Environment are regular attendees. 

Devens Common

Devens Common is located at the heart of the community off Jackson Road and provides a convenient location to socialize over coffee or lunch with access to services including banking, dry cleaning, a weekly farmer’s market, and more. You’ll also find hotel accommodations and a full-service conference center in this area. See the Directory & Map for more information.

Medical & Health

Acton Medical Associates
231 Ayer Road, Harvard
978-772-1213

Emerson Hospital
133 Old Road to Nine Acre Corner, Concord
978-369-1400

Nashoba Valley Medical Center
200 Groton Road, Ayer
978-784-9000

UMassMemorial HealthAlliance
855-862-7763

Public Libraries

Ayer Public Library
26 East Main Street, Ayer
978-772-8250

Harvard Public Library
4 Pond Road, Harvard
978-456-4114

Hazen Memorial Library
3 Keady Way, Shirley
978-425-2620

Houses of Worship

Ayer

Bethel Korean Evangelical Free Church
Living Water Fellowship Church
Nashoba Valley Catholic Collaborative (St. Mary Parish, Ayer; St. Anthony Parish, Shirley)
New Hope Community Church
Seeds of Faith Community Church
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

Harvard

The Congregational Church of Harvard
Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church
Holy Trinity Catholic Parish
Saint Benedict Abbey
Saint Benedict Center

Shirley

Nashoba Valley Catholic Collaborative (St. Mary Parish, Ayer; St. Anthony Parish, Shirley)
Shirley Christian Fellowship

Senior Information

Devens residents aged 60 and over have the opportunity to participate in nearby social, recreational, educational, nutritional, health, and wellness programs in Ayer, Harvard, and Shirley. Each community has its own Council on Aging, committed to supporting the local senior community.

Ayer Council on Aging
18 Pond Street, Ayer
978-772-8260

Harvard Council on Aging
13 Ayer Road, Harvard
978-456-4120

Shirley Council on Aging
9 Parker Road, Shirley
978-425-1390

Social Services

Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry has been lifting and feeding our neighbors since 1983. The Pantry’s mission is to provide nutritious food in an atmosphere of kindness and respect to individuals in need residing in Ayer, Devens, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley.

Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry
234 Barnum Road, Devens
978-772-4627

Clear Path for Veterans New England opened in 2017 with a mission to build a safe, supportive, and respectful place for veterans to seek assistance. Its Dogs2Vets program supports the placement of well-trained service dogs with veterans in need. The organization also offers peer-to-peer mentoring, Warrior Reset and Wellness services, Working Warriors career support, and family programs.

Clear Path for Veterans New England
84 Antietam Street, Devens
978-384-8800

Building Within Devens

The Devens Enterprise Commission is a multipurpose regulatory authority and is responsible for issuing all building, plumbing, gas, electric, sign, and food service permits – as well as liquor licenses – for the Devens community.

Devens Enterprise Commission
33 Andrews Parkway, Devens
978-772-8831

Doing Business in Devens

In accordance with Massachusetts law, any person conducting a business under a name other than his/her own name is required to file a Business Certificate with their Town Clerk’s office to register the business at the address where business is to be conducted. An individual must be 18 years of age or older to legally sign a business certificate. 

Ayer Town Clerk
One Main Street, Ayer
978-772-8209    

Harvard Town Clerk
13 Ayer Road, Harvard
978-456-4100 ext. 316

Resident Business and Home Improvements

Permits for a home business or a new home addition and construction – including a fence, pool, or shed – must first be approved by the local homeowners or condominium association:

Walnut, Elm, Auman, and Bates Homeowners Association

Sandra Ivos, Property Manager
Alpine Property Management
12 Damonmill Square, Concord, MA 01742
978-371-9090 x13

Walnut, Elm, Auman, and Bates Condominium Association

Brett M. Fay, Senior Property Manager
Alpine Property Management
12 Damonmill Square, Concord, MA 01742
978-371-9090 x22

Emerson Green Homeowners Association

Robert Easton, Principal
Ajax Partners
21 Worthen Road, Lexington, MA 02421
781-863-5664

Dog/Pet License

Annual pet registration begins June 1. All dogs over the age of six months and living in Devens must be vaccinated for rabies and licensed by Devens Animal Control. This enables lost dogs to be traced back to the owner and vaccination to be verified in case of bites. The license is good from July 1 through June 30 and must be renewed during the month of June each year. 

Devens Animal Control

99 Buena Vista Street, Devens
978-772-1864

Dog/Pet License Fees

• $5/year, neutered or spayed dogs
• $10/year, non-neutered or non-spayed dogs
• $4/year, other animals
• $15/month late fee, mandated animals
• FREE, Seeing-Eye, Hearing, or Service dogs

Dog/Pet License Application

Wood Cutting

Wood cutting permits are issued to Devens residents for personal use only, for the cutting of downed trees in designated areas. Permits are valid for a 14-day period.

Department of Public Works & Recreation (DPW)

99 Buena Vista Street, Devens
978-772-1864

Wood Cutting Application

Mirror Lake Season Pass

Mirror Lake’s beachfront is open to the public from late June through the end of August. Kids can enroll for swim lessons taught by qualified American Red Cross instructors. Season passes are available, or you can pay an entrance fee for the day.

Need another type of license or certificate?

All other licenses and certificates are provided by the Town Clerks in Ayer or Harvard.

Devens Fire Department

The Devens Fire Department protects life and property through fire prevention, education, and suppression. The department of 21 firefighters is trained in the latest techniques of firefighting, including emergency medical services, rescue, fire prevention, and inspection.

Devens Fire Department

Timothy Kelly, Fire Chief
182 Jackson Road, Devens
Emergency: 911
Non-emergency Assistance: 978-772-4600

Obtaining a Permit

Completed permit applications can be dropped off or mailed to the Devens Fire Station. If you would prefer to email, please send to Captain Todd Whittier.

All major credit cards are accepted by phone. Call 978-772-4600. Checks are payable to MassDevelopment. The Devens Fire Station is open Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Emergency Management

Devens residents and businesses can register for free to receive real-time localized emergency alerts provided by OnSolve. The platform delivers timely messaging and critical communications when needed. 

Massachusetts State Police

MassDevelopment contracts with the Massachusetts State Police to serve the Devens community. Customary policing includes detecting, deterring, reporting, and investigation of trespassing, theft, vandalism, and other criminal activities. The State Police also provides traffic enforcement, investigation of motor vehicle crashes, and responses to emergency 911 calls.

Massachusetts State Police

Lt. Keith Pruett, Station Commander
Sgt. Dana Oliver, Station Patrol Supervisor
Trooper James A. Fitzgerald, Station Investigator
59 Buena Vista Street, Devens
Emergency: 911
Non-emergency Assistance: 978-772-8800 

The Department of Public Works & Recreation (DPW) in Devens maintains 60 miles of roads and 500 acres of grounds along with various recreational, municipal, and leased facilities. Devens Animal Control also operates out of this department.

Department of Public Works (DPW) & Recreation
(includes Devens Animal Control)
Shane Melone, Director
Gary Teague, Foreman
Melissa Finlay, Administrative Assistant  
99 Buena Vista Street, Devens    
978-772-1864

Composting at Home

It's easy to compost in Devens! DPW offers rodent-resistant, low-cost home composting bins for $25 and kitchen buckets for $5. To purchase, please call DPW at 978-772-1864 or email Melissa Finlay directly at mfinlay@massdevelopment.com.

For educational composting information provided by MassDEP, visit Home Composting & Green Landscaping. 

Dog/Pet License

Annual registration begins June 1. All dogs over the age of six months and living in Devens must be vaccinated for rabies and licensed by Devens Animal Control. The license is good from July 1 to June 30 and must be renewed every year in June. 

Dog/Pet License Fees

• $5/year, neutered or spayed dogs
• $10/year, non-neutered or non-spayed dogs
• $4/year, other animals
• $15/month late fee, mandated animals
• FREE, Seeing-Eye, Hearing, or Service dogs

Dog/Pet License Application

Recreation

Devens Recreation staff works year-round to provide businesses, residents, and visitors with special events and community activities. Learn more. 

Recycling

Devens residents, businesses, and their employees can safely dispose of a wide variety of items at the Devens Recycling Center, open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Devens Recycling Center

99 Buena Vista Street, Devens
978-772-1864

Recycling Information & Fee Schedule

Wood Cutting

Wood cutting permits are issued to Devens residents for personal use only, for the cutting of downed trees in designated areas. Permits are valid for a 14-day period.

Wood Cutting Application

Yard Waste

DPW picks up grass clippings, leaves, and tree limbs from residential areas every Monday from April through November. In the event of a Monday holiday, curbside pickup will take place on Tuesday.

• Yard waste should be placed at the curb, in front of the house.
• Leaves and grass clippings should be packaged in biodegradable paper bags with no trash or sand.
• Branches and limbs should be cut into lengths of not more than four feet and bundled together.
• Christmas trees are picked up the first two Mondays in January.

Harvard Public School Department

MassDevelopment contracts with the Town of Harvard for Devens residents in kindergarten through grade 12. All education and education-related services are provided under this contract. Devens students have access to all School Choice and Charter School options available in Massachusetts, as well as Vocational Technical schools.

Dr. Linda Dwight, Superintendent
Town of Harvard Public School Department
978-456-4140

Devens Educational Advisory Committee (DEAC)

The DEAC acts in an advisory capacity to MassDevelopment on all educational matters, including review of all contracts for educational services. The DEAC is composed of four elected Devens residents (two of whom must have school-aged children) and one member from each of the school committees of Ayer, Harvard, and Shirley. 

Committee Members

• Jesse Lowe (2025)
• Fahima Shaik (2025)
• Naomi Ahuja (2024)
• Heather Knowles (2024)
• Michele Granger (Ayer/Shirley)
• SusanMary Redinger (Harvard)
• Meg Delorier (MassDevelopment)

DEAC Meeting Minutes

• November 14, 2023
• September 12, 2023
• May 9, 2023
• January 9, 2023

Schools located in Devens

Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School
Located in Devens, the six-year public secondary school of choice is open by lottery admissions to all residents of Massachusetts in grades seven through 12.

Applewild School
An independent school that offers a liberal arts education for students in preschool through grade eight. The Devens campus offers both preschool and prekindergarten through grade four.

Guild of St. Agnes
A private, nonprofit early education and care agency with a facility on Jackson Road in Devens.

Shriver Job Corps Center
Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people aged 16 to 24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training. 

Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) operates a shuttle service connecting the Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line with Devens, Ayer, Fitchburg, Leominster, and Shirley that supports the region’s existing transportation offerings and provides a more convenient and affordable transportation option to and from Devens. The shuttle features daily morning and evening runs during the week and provides an “on-demand” weekend service.

Devens businesses are encouraged to contact the Devens Enterprise Commission for more information on how they can benefit from this affordable and efficient transportation option for their employees.

Bike Lanes

Devens has more than five miles of dedicated bike lanes, providing additional recreation and commuting options on a network of safer, more complete streets for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Support for Electric Vehicles

As part of our ongoing sustainability efforts, the Devens community offers two ChargePoint EV charging stations located in the parking lot behind 33 Andrews Parkway and one ChargePoint EV charging station located in the parking lot at 88 Jackson Road.  

Trash

Devens does not provide municipal curbside trash pickup. Trash haulers are independently contracted by a neighborhood homeowners association or a Devens business. 

Alpine Property Management
12 Damonmill Square, Concord, MA 01742
978-371-9090

Composting at Home

It's easy to compost in Devens! DPW offers rodent-resistant, low-cost home composting bins for $25 and kitchen buckets for $5. To purchase, please call DPW at 978-772-1864 or email Melissa Finlay directly at mfinlay@massdevelopment.com.

For educational composting information provided by MassDEP, visit Home Composting & Green Landscaping. 

Recycling

Devens Department of Public Works & Recreation (DPW) manages a recycling center drop-off location for Devens residents, businesses, and employees that allows for the safe and timely disposal of a wide variety of items:

Devens Recycling Center

99 Buena Vista Street, Devens
978-772-1864

Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Recycling Information & Fee Schedule

Hazardous Products Collection Center

The Devens Regional Household Hazardous Products Collection Center (Devens HHW) is open to residents and prequalified businesses in Devens. A list of acceptable materials can be found on its website. Please call ahead with any questions.

Devens HHW
9 Cook Street, Devens
978-501-3943

Hours of Operation

First Wednesday and following Saturday of every month
9 a.m. – noon

Devens HHW Brochure

Products Peligrosos para el Hogar (folleto español)

The Devens Eco-Efficiency Center

The Eco-Efficiency Center provides educational forums, technical assistance, networking venues, and partnership opportunities to help businesses and organizations protect natural, material, human, and capital resources. The nonprofit has been helping industrial, commercial, and service entities improve the sustainability of their operations since 2008.

Devens Eco-Efficiency Center
33 Andrews Parkway, Devens
978-772-8831 x3304

The Great Exchange

This award-winning program prevents the waste of unneeded items and provides saving opportunities for small businesses, municipalities, and nonprofits by providing access to a wide variety of new and like-new supplies, furniture, and fixtures at two locations in Devens.

The Great Exchange
33 Andrews Parkway, Devens and 100 Sherman Avenue, Devens
978-772-8831 x3304

Yard Waste

DPW picks up grass clippings, leaves, and tree limbs from residential areas every Monday from April through November. In the event of a Monday holiday, curbside pickup will take place on Tuesday.

• Yard waste must be placed at the curb, in front of the house.
• Leaves and grass clippings must be packaged in biodegradable paper bags with no trash or sand.
• Branches and limbs should be cut into lengths of not more than four feet and bundled together.
• Christmas trees will be picked up the first two Mondays in January.

The Devens Utilities Department provides electricity, natural gas, water, and sewer services to all businesses and residents in Devens.

To make a change to your service, fill out the Utility Service Request Form and submit by email to devensutilities@massdevelopment.com or in person during its regular business hours.

The Devens Utilities Department also provides pole and conduit access for cable television and telecommunications, and antennae siting for wireless communications.

Devens Utilities

33 Andrews Parkway, Devens
978-784-2931

Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Xfinity and Verizon are the licensed providers of cable and telephone services to businesses and residents in Devens. Contact the company’s local customer service representatives for any questions related to your plan.

Registering Online

To register to vote online, you must have a signature on file with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. If you currently have a Massachusetts driver’s license or state ID card, you may use the online voter registration application to register, update your address, or change your party affiliation.

Registering by Mail

If you would prefer to register by mail, you may download the voter registration form. The form must be completed, signed, and delivered to your local Town Clerk.

Registering in Person

If you would like to register in person, you may do so at your local Town Clerk’s office, as well as at the Elections Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office. Voter registration is also available at the Registry of Motor Vehicles and at certain public assistance agencies. Voter registration forms completed in person are valid as of the day that they are signed.

Devens residents can register to vote in person at the Town Clerk’s office of the town in which their home is located. See the Devens Boundaries Map to determine which office you should visit.

Ayer Town Clerk
One Main Street, Ayer
978-772-8209

Harvard Town Clerk
13 Ayer Road, Harvard
978-456-4100 ext. 316