• MassGIS Standard for Digital Parcel Files and Related Data Sets  - Provides communities a flexible specification for developing a digital parcel file suitable for use in a GIS. Also included is a template tax map conversion request for proposals (RFP).
• Download a Template Tax Map Conversion RFP
  
• Standard for Digital Plan Submission to Municipalities - This standard applies to CADD files submitted as part of development review; if implemented by a municpality, the standard makes it easier to use these CADD files for updating municpal GIS databases.
• Model Data Distribution Policy - This document by the Open Data Consortum is a helpful and thorough review of the issues in GIS data distribution; it also includes a model policy.  NOTE: Before being used, the model policy language MUST be reviewed for compliance with the  Massachusetts Public Records Law.
• Sample Map and Web Site Disclaimers -  A selection of disclaimers being used on printed maps and for on-line mapping sites.

Other Resources

• Companies Providing GIS Services - List of addresses for companies providing data conversion and other GIS services; each comany has identified the types of services they provide.  The companies on this list include many of the companies on the state contract for GIS services and many that are not.
  
• Online GIS Sites for Municipalities - Many Massachusetts communities are now offering on-line map information.
  
• Metadata Resources - Links to Web sites that discuss standards of documenting your GIS databases.
• CAD and GIS: Concepts and Terminology  - A .PDF document prepared by the The CADD/GIS Technology Center For Facilities, Infrastructure, and Environment in the Information Technology Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.
• Presentation: Quality Assurance of Your Orthophotos   - PowerPoint presentation by Neil MacGaffey and Philip John of MassGIS, presented at New England GIS conference, May 15, 2002. Works best with Internet Explorer.
• Parcel Mapping Guide: The information presented in the Parcel Mapping Guide is intended to provide background information and general guidance on developing digital versions of assessor’s maps for use in planning, property assessment, and graphic map display. This document is not a suitable guide for mapping intended to provide an authoritative definition or specify limits for legal boundary determination or property conveyance purposes.  Matters related to those more definitive interests remain the purview of the professional title attorney and/or professional land surveyor.
  
• Engineering and Design - Photogrammetric Mapping, LiDAR, and Related Topics such as large scale map accuracy.  This US Army Corps of Engineers document contains some information that is becoming dated. However there is still a lot of useful background in this document.