Ware center
126 Main Street, Ware, MA 01082
Living in Ware, Massachusetts
Ware is a town in Hampshire County at the southern end of the Quabbin Reservoir, where the Ware River and Swift River pass through before joining the Chicopee River downstream in Palmer. The town was first settled in 1717 and incorporated in 1775, and it became known as 'The Town That Can't Be Licked' after residents pooled money in the 1930s to buy its textile mills and keep them running through the Depression.
Ware at a glance
- $14.49Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $4,770Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 35-40 minDrive to Springfield
- HampshireCounty
Ware's villages and zip codes
Most of Ware uses ZIP code 01082; the Gilbertville section in the northeast part of town uses 01031.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Ware center | 01082 | The downtown area along Main Street, where Town Hall, the Board of Health and most municipal offices are located. |
| Gilbertville | 01031 | A village in the northeastern part of Ware, near the Hardwick town line, with its own ZIP code. |
Things to do in Ware, MA
Start with Quabbin Reservoir and Quabbin Park and Quabbin Hill lookout tower, then 2 more below.
Quabbin Reservoir and Quabbin Park
Ware sits at the southern end of the Quabbin Reservoir, the state's largest surface water supply, formed when the towns of Enfield, Greenwich, Prescott and Dana were disincorporated in 1938. Quabbin Park includes Winsor Dam, the Goodnough Dike and miles of gated woods roads open to walking, fishing and wildlife watching.
Quabbin Reservoir, Ware, MA
Plan a visitQuabbin Hill lookout tower
A public lookout tower atop Quabbin Hill gives views over the reservoir and surrounding watershed forest.
Quabbin Hill, Ware, MA
Quabbin Park Cemetery
A cemetery created to hold graves relocated from the four towns disincorporated for the Quabbin Reservoir, documenting the area's flooded history.
Ware, MA
Herman Covey-Swift River Wildlife Management Area
A state wildlife management area along the Swift River, which forms Ware's western boundary, with trails and access for fishing and birdwatching.
Swift River, Ware, MA
A little history
Ware was first settled in 1717 on land known as the Equivalent Lands and was incorporated as a town in 1775; its name comes from 'nenameseck,' a Nipmuc word describing fish weirs once used on the local rivers.
In the 1930s, residents of Ware organized to purchase the town's textile mills to keep them operating through the Depression, earning Ware the nickname 'The Town That Can't Be Licked.'
The towns of Enfield, Greenwich, Prescott and Dana were disincorporated in 1938 during construction of the Quabbin Reservoir, and portions of their former land became part of Ware; graves from those towns were relocated to Quabbin Park Cemetery.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Ware
Ware's outdoor recreation centers on the Quabbin Reservoir at its southern edge and the Ware and Swift rivers that bound the town.
- Quabbin ReservoirThe state's largest reservoir, with gated roads and trails through surrounding watershed forest for walking, fishing and wildlife viewing.More information
- Ware RiverFlows through the southeastern part of town and joins the Swift River in Palmer to form the Chicopee River.
- Swift RiverForms Ware's western boundary, bordered in part by the Herman Covey-Swift River Wildlife Management Area.
Where to eat in Ware: restaurants and coffee
2 places in Ware to try, including american restaurant and italian restaurant. No one paid to be listed.
Hanna's on Main
American restaurant
A restaurant on Main Street in downtown Ware serving American comfort food, with dine-in and catering.
91 Main St, Ware, MA 01082 · hannasonmain.com
Gheppetto's Grille
Italian restaurant
An Italian restaurant on Main Street with a full bar.
91 Main St, Ware, MA 01082
Walkability and getting around Ware
Ware center has sidewalks along Main Street near Town Hall and downtown businesses, but Gilbertville and the outlying rural parts of town, including the roads around the Quabbin watershed, require a car.
Drive times
- Springfield, about 26 miles35-40 min
- Bradley International Airport, about 35 miles45-50 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Ware has no passenger rail station; a van-based Ware Shuttle service has operated locally. Check pvta.com for current Pioneer Valley Transit Authority routes and schedules serving Ware.
Ware property taxes
Ware's FY2026 residential tax rate is $14.49 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,449 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $4,770, on an average assessed value of $329,171.
Ware's FY2026 tax rates
$14.49per $1,000, residential
- Residential$14.49 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$329,171
- Average single-family tax bill$4,770
- Motor vehicle excise (statewide)$25 per $1,000 of value
Source: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
How the residential rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Residential rate |
|---|---|
| FY2022 | $19.34 |
| FY2023 | $17.26 |
| FY2024 | $16.33 |
| FY2025 | $15.06 |
| FY2026 | $14.49 |
Look up a Ware property
- Property record cardsAssessed value, lot size and building details
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 413-967-9648 x179
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Ware
What we check on a Ware purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, quabbin watershed, wells & septic, smoke/co certificate.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Hampshire County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
Low-lying parcels along the Ware River and Swift River, which bound the town on the southeast and west, may fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for WareSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Ware Fire Department before the sale closes.
Parts of Ware sit near reservoir watershed land
Ware borders the Quabbin Reservoir and surrounding state watershed land at its southern edge. Buyers looking at property near the reservoir should confirm setbacks and any watershed protection restrictions with the town.
Quabbin ReservoirBoard of Health oversees wells and septic in outlying areas
Properties outside Ware's water and sewer service areas rely on private wells and individual septic systems, which the Board of Health oversees. Sellers on septic typically need a Title 5 inspection before closing.
Board of HealthMassachusetts requires a fire department certificate before closing
Massachusetts law requires a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector compliance certificate from the local fire department before a home sale closes. Contact the Ware Fire Department to schedule the inspection.
Ware Fire DepartmentAll loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. MassHousing limits and eligibility are set by MassHousing and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Ware?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Ware address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Ware: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Ware: National Grid delivers electricity in Ware. for power.
- ElectricNational Grid delivers electricity in Ware.
- WaterTown of Ware Water Department; the town also bills for sewer service based on metered usage.
- Sewer or septicTown of Ware sewer service is billed alongside water for connected properties; the Board of Health handles septic systems outside town sewer coverage.
- Trash and recyclingWare's Health Department maintains a list of licensed solid waste collectors that operate in town; the Department of Public Works also runs seasonal yard-debris drop-off days and periodic bulky-waste and household hazardous waste collection events. Contact the DPW for current residential trash arrangements.
- Registry of Motor VehiclesUpdate your address with the RMV within 30 days. Excise tax goes to the city or town where the car is garaged.Mass. RMV
Town Hall offices and contacts
Ware Town Hall is at 126 Main Street, Ware, MA 01082. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (Wednesday by appointment). Main line: 413-967-9600.
- Town HallMain line and website413-967-9600
- Town ClerkTown records, vital records and elections.
- AssessorsProperty assessments and the annual tax rate.413-967-9648 x179
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.
- Building & Inspection ServicesBuilding permits and inspections.
- Planning & Community DevelopmentZoning, land use and the Zoning Board of Appeals.
- Parks & RecreationTown parks and recreation programs.
- Department of Public WorksRoads, water, sewer and solid waste.413-967-9620
- Board of HealthSeptic systems, wells and solid waste collector licensing, in coordination with the Quabbin Health District.413-967-9615
- Ware Public LibraryThe town's public library.
- Ware Public SchoolsThe town's public school district.
Ware, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Ware, MA?
Ware's FY2026 residential tax rate is $14.49 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Ware?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,796 a year at $14.49 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Ware have a split tax rate?
No. Ware uses a single rate of $14.49 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Ware?
The average single-family tax bill in Ware was $4,770 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $329,171.
What ZIP codes does Ware use?
Most of Ware uses 01082. The Gilbertville section in the northeast part of town uses 01031.
Who supplies electricity in Ware?
National Grid delivers electricity in Ware.
How far is Ware from Springfield?
Ware is about 26 miles from Springfield, roughly a 35-40 minute drive.
Is there public transit in Ware?
Ware has no passenger rail station. A local van-based Ware Shuttle has operated in town; check pvta.com for current Pioneer Valley Transit Authority routes.
Does Ware border the Quabbin Reservoir?
Yes. The southern end of Ware sits at the edge of the Quabbin Reservoir and its surrounding state watershed land.
What is the smoke-certificate process for selling a home in Ware?
Massachusetts law requires a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector compliance certificate from the local fire department before closing. In Ware, that means scheduling an inspection with the Ware Fire Department.
Towns near Ware
Neighbors of Ware, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Ware, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Ware official website: townofware.com
- Ware Board of Health / Health Department: townofware.com
- Ware Fire Department: townofware.com
- Ware Assessors / AxisGIS property database: axisgis.com
- Ware Department of Public Works: townofware.com
- Ware Public Schools: wareps.org
- Hanna's on Main: hannasonmain.com
- Palmer to Ware Transmission Line Docket, Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board (National Grid infrastructure in Ware): mass.gov
- Town Hall Spring photo, Wikimedia Commons: commons.wikimedia.org
- Tax rates and average single-family value and tax bill: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
- Motor vehicle excise: M.G.L. c. 60A, $25 per $1,000 of value statewide.
- Walkability: Walk Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Photo: Judith Mosso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.