City & Town Newsletters

This article discusses the unique challenges faced by rural assessing offices in Massachusetts, including staffing shortages and budget constraints, and highlights the establishment of a new position aimed at providing support and resources to improve assessment operations in these communities. It also explores potential collaborative solutions, such as intermunicipal agreements and the creation of Regional Boards of Assessors, to enhance efficiency and address the specific needs of rural municipalities.

This article analyzes PERAC’s January 1, 2025 List of Retirement Boards by Funded Ratio. It reviews the latest list for the 99 municipal systems only and determine how their metrics have changed from one year ago.

This article is a helpful notification related to the required FY2027 funding of COVID-19 spending deficits prior to or on the FY27 tax rate recap.

This article reviews Proposition 2½ election results as reported to the Division of Local Services in Fiscal Year 2025. In addition to providing current and historical data, it provides information related to overrides, underrides, debt exclusions, capital exclusions and other related topics.

This article welcomes new local assessment public officials in Massachusetts, outlining the role of the DLS Bureau of Local Assessment (BLA) in providing training, guidance, and support for property valuation and classification to ensure fair and equitable assessments in their communities. It highlights resources available for assessors, including training courses, webinars, and a YouTube channel for ongoing education in property valuation and municipal finance.

Analysis of the impact of snow and ice on general fund spending and the balance sheet.

Annual analysis of the average single-family tax bill.

The article discusses the Qualified Bond Act in Massachusetts, which allows cities, towns, and regional school districts to enhance their debt's credit rating and marketability through a state qualification process, ultimately lowering their overall debt costs. It outlines the procedures for incurring debt, the role of the Municipal Finance Oversight Board, and the financial implications of the program, highlighting its success since 1980.

Issue dedicated to newly elected or appointed local officials.

This article provides a comprehensive guide and resources for newly elected or appointed local officials in Massachusetts, offering tools, training, and guidance on municipal finance, roles, and responsibilities within communities across the Commonwealth. It emphasizes the importance of familiarizing oneself with DLS resources, training modules, and connecting with assigned field representatives to support effective governance and financial management at the local level.