Division of Local Services (DLS)

DLS promotes sound municipal finance management practices and supports local officials by providing guidance, training and oversight.

Latest DLS news

Municipal Empowerment Act

The Municipal Empowerment Act is designed to arm local governments with greater tools and supports to chart their own course, making it easier for communities to generate resources for vital local services and access the products and people they need to best serve Massachusetts residents.

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  • Ask the Chief of Municipal Finance Law 

    Every Wednesday from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    This “Ask the Chief” service is a virtual, Zoom option for local officials to inquire about municipal finance law issues within the Division's jurisdiction.

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The Division of Local Services is responsible for ensuring fairness and equity in local property taxation, overseeing local accounting and treasury management, interpreting state laws that affect local governance, distributing monthly local aid to cities, towns and school districts, maintaining a comprehensive municipal finance data warehouse, and providing municipal financial management consulting services and training. Our Introduction to DLS video provides an overview of the many services we offer. To learn even more about the Division, please watch our Meet DLS webinar, which includes additional information from each of the Division’s Bureau Chiefs.

View our Bureaus          View the DLS staff directory       Public Hearing Notices

View the DLS Events Calendar    Log into DLS Gateway or view public reports

Spring update from the Division of Local Services
Foundations in Municipal Finance course
Are you a new official? Our Foundations in Municipal Finance training will help you get started.
Tax Rate Status report
Want to know how close your community is to setting a property tax rate?
Use our new Tax Rate Status Report to find out.

Receive the latest news and information from DLS: Sign up for DLS Alerts 

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DLS Bureaus and Services

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Image credits:  Main Street storefronts in North Adams, Massachusetts (Shutterstock)

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