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Resources for New Officials

Helpful resources for newly elected or appointed municipal officials

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Introduction to municipal finance

Comprehensive overview of municipal finance

Foundations in Municipal Finance for the New Official

Foundations in Municipal Finance for the New Official is a series of virtual training modules that guides participants through a fiscal year in municipal finance.

Introduction to Proposition 2 ½, the property tax limitation law

Introduction to Proposition 2 1/2

This series explains the basic provisions of the fundamental feature of the Massachusetts municipal fiscal landscape in nine short videos.

Roles and responsibilities of finance officials

Overview of Municipal Management

This video walks through the responsibilities of local officials and how they interact in managing municipal operations.

Additional Resources

Open file,  Municipal Finance Glossary
Open file,  Qualifications of Assessors, IGR-2022-15
Open file,  Teamwork in town government
Open file,  Video: Job responsibilities for the finance committee
Open file,  Municipal Financial Management Resources for New Officials
Open file,  City/Town Clerk Responsibilities
Open file,  Assessor Responsibilities
Open file,  Statutory Responsibilities of the Collector
Open file,  Role of the Finance Director
Open file,  Statutory Responsibilities of the Accountant/Auditor
Open file,  Responsibilities of the Treasurer

Introduction to the Division of Local Services

Meet DLS

Welcome to the Division of Local Services

Learn about the mission of the Division of Local Services and the roles and responsibilities of its five bureaus.

State Oversight of Taxation

State Oversight of Local Taxation

Take a more in-depth look at DLS’ oversight functions.

What is Gateway?

Intro to free cash

DLS Gateway is the application DLS uses to transact business with its municipal partners. Learn more about it in this brief video introduction.

Additional Resources

Open file,  DLS Gateway Application Login and Support
Open file,  DLS Staff Directory
Open file,  Accounting guidance and oversight: Bureau of Accounts
Open file,  Property assessment and valuation guidance: Bureau of Local Assessment
Open file,  Municipal finance legal guidance: Municipal Finance Law Bureau
Open file,  Free services and guidance from the Financial Management Resource Bureau
Open file,  DLS publications and financial tools

Other DLS Services

DLS alerts

DLS Alerts

By subscribing to our mailing list you will receive important legal and financial guidance, our City & Town newsletter, and news and information relevant to municipal officials.

City & Town

City & Town

Click here to view past issues of DLS's City & Town newsletter.

YouTube

YouTube

Training videos highlighted in our Municipal Finance Training & Resource center are also available in the DLS YouTube channel. Subscribe to be notified when new items are added!

Additional Resources

Open file,  Municipal Finance Training and Resource Center
Open file,  DLS Events Calendar
Open file,  Use the DLS Databank to learn more about your community and its peers

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