Purpose:

There is a wide variety of mapping data available for use in the Topsfield area. This section of our website is intended to be a resource for citizens and town officials that use maps and are unsure of what data is available, where the data is located or how the maps can be used.

Virtually all of the tabular data the Town uses is linked to a particular parcel, a pipe, a catch basin, a septic system, a building or some other object. Using GIS and digital maps allows this data to be displayed in a visual, map-centric format which makes it much easier to work with and even easier to share between departments, boards and residents. An example of this is many cities and towns have made their tax maps and assessor's database available over the Internet which allows people to research properties without having to visit the Assessor's Office.

History:

Approximately ten years ago, a set of base maps were produced for the Town by our mapping consultant. The maps included property boundaries, building locations, roads, contours and a host of other layers that form the basis of our mapping system. The Topsfield Mapping Committee is working to increase the use of the base maps and other data so the Town can realize the benefits in areas such as planning, infrastructure maintenance and among others.