Assessors' Office

The Assessors are a member of the municipal finance team whose responsibilities include maintaining the property database, valuing and classifying property, committing taxes, granting abatements and exemptions, managing special assessments and betterments, and administering the motor vehicle and trailer excise tax. FY2024 single tax rate is $13.57


Mission Statement

The staff of the Assessors Office strives to serve the taxpayers of the Town of Shirley by valuation and classification of property in accordance with standards set by Massachusetts General Laws through the practice of policies and procedures that promote good public relations, provide user friendly access to data, maximize resources, and maintain equity, accuracy, and fairness.

We welcome the opportunity to serve the public by answering questions, providing explanations, and encourage all property owners to be knowledgeable about their property data and valuation.


Real Property Parcel Identification

Each parcel is identified by a Parcel ID which consists of the map, block and lot. Each parcel is maintained in a database in the format of a Property Record Card (PRC), aka field card. The PRC contains data about the parcels values, use, land area, owner name and address, sales, and improvements (buildings, yard items, special features). Property owners may request a copy of their Property Record Card at any time for no fee. PRC’s are available in the Assessor Office or online. The Assessors recommend and encourage all property owners to review the data on their Property Record Card periodically and contact our office with any questions.


Tax Maps

Maps are maintained in GIS format and are annually updated as of each January 1st with new recorded splits, subdivisions, surveys, and data changes. The Town of Shirley is divided into 123 maps that show lot lines, zoning, and land areas only (no building or septic data is shown). Maps are for assessment purposes only and are not valid for legal description or conveyance.. Shirley is included in the Mass GIS list of communities that are committed to maintaining standardized L3 parcel maps. Shirley uses the Montachusett Regional Planning Commissions MR Mapper tool to view our GIS data layers. Property Owners may request a copy of the map showing their parcel at any time for no fee. Map copies are reduced to 11 x 17 inches. Maps are available in the Assessor Office and can be viewed for reference purposes only online, printing and viewing quality are not guaranteed.


Deeds

The Town of Shirley belongs to the Southern Middlesex Registry of Deeds.

Registry of Deeds
Middlesex District
208 Cambridge St.
PO Box 68
East Cambridge, MA 02141

Recorded documents can be found online here.

Copies of recorded deeds for land in the Town of Shirley can also be found in our office going back to 1917. Property Owners may request a copy of their deed at any time for no fee.


Abutter’s Lists

Requests for abutter’s lists to be produced and certified must be accompanied by the $25.00 fee and include the specific location of the property and within how many feet abutters are needed (direct, 100, 300). Abutter’s lists come with 2 sets of mailing labels. Please allow a period of up to 10 business days for us to complete these requests upon receipt of payment.

Staff Contacts

Name Title Phone
Jennifer Wilson, MAA Principal Assessor (978) 425-2600 Ext. 220
Tracy Largey Assessing Clerk (978) 425-2600 Ext. 221

Board of Assessors Members

Name Title
Dorothy K. Wilbur Member (2021-2024)
Eric Harrington Chair (2022-2025)
Michael Roy Member (2023-2026)

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