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COVID-19 Resources and Guidance for Municipal Officials

This page provides city and town officials with municipal finance guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The resources below provide guidance for city and town officials on the municipal finance and governance aspects of the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19.) The Division of Local Services will update the list as new resources become available.

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Emergency Expenditures and Fiscal Resources

The Emergency Deficit Spending form in DLS Gateway can be used by the chief executive officer of a city or town to request authority to deficit spend under Ch. 44, section 31. For more information, see Instructions for Submitting an Emergency Deficit Spending Request (pdf).

Bulletin 2020-7 Accounting for COVID-19 Emergency Expenditures and for Reimbursements and Monies Received by Cities and Towns from CARES ACT Coronavirus Relief Funds and from FEMA (6/3/20)

Legislation and Emergency Actions

Chapter 107 of the Acts of 2022: An Act Relative to Extending Certain State of Emergency Accommodations (includes extensions related to modifications for holding town meetings and the ability for public bodies to hold remote meetings) 7/16/2022

Chapter 22 of the Acts of 2022: An Act Making Appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2022 to Provide for Supplementing Certain Existing Appropriations and for Certain Other Activities and Projects (includes extensions related to modifications for holding town meetings and the ability for public bodies to hold remote meetings) 2/12/2022

Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021: An Act Relative to Extending Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency (includes extensions related to modifications for holding town meetings and the ability for public bodies to hold remote meetings) 6/16/2021

Open Meeting Law Guidance Update from the Office of the Attorney General 6/10/21

Chapter 5 of the Acts of 2021: An Act further providing for voting by mail 3/16/2021

Ch. 92 of the Acts of 2020 - An Act Relative to Municipal Governance During the COVID-19 Emergency...signed by the Governor 6/5/2020 

Bulletin 2020-7 Accounting for COVID-19 Emergency Expenditures and for Reimbursements and Monies Received by Cities and Towns from CARES ACT Coronavirus Relief Funds and from FEMA (6/3/20)

Ch. 56 of the Acts of 2020 - An Act to further address challenges faced by municipalities, school districts and state authorities resulting from COVID-19...signed by the Governor 4/10/2020  |  Section-by-section summary  

Ch. 53 of the Acts of 2020 – An Act to Address Challenges Faced by Municipalities and State Authorities Resulting from COVID-19 (4/3/20) 

American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA)

On March 11, 2021, the President of the United States signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), Pub. L. No. 117-2. This law provides resources through the new Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFRF) to local governments to respond to the public health emergency caused by the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). This fund is administered by the US Department of the Treasury (hereafter, “US Treasury” or “Treasury”).

US Treasury CLFRF Resources

CARES Act for Municipal Government

The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) includes funds for Massachusetts governments to use to pay costs incurred in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Apply for funding:

Report Expenditures:

Q&A and other resources:

MEMA Federal Disaster Declaration Information

Information from MEMA regarding the COVID-19 Disaster Declaration (3/28/20)

Office of the Inspector General Resources

General resources available from the Office of the Inspector General

Date published: March 20, 2020
Last updated: March 9, 2022

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