Online Tool Taps Massachusetts Local Finances

Pioneer Institute launched an online tool, http://massanalysis.com, that provides detailed fiscal and general information about any town or city in Massachusetts, ranging from revenue and expenditure levels to employment and crime rates.

"This tool is more than just a useful tool for town administrators, it can also reveal statewide trends that threaten the commonwealth more generally," Boston think tank Pioneer said in a statement.

Nearly every town has experienced a steady decrease in state revenue levels since 2001, according to Pioneer. Additionally, many towns' property tax rates have risen continually despite falling property values.

Pioneer said its 'peers' feature enables comparisons of a selected municipality to a group of peers — up to 25 similar communities — by such categories as similar tax or debt rates, population or public works spending.

Pioneer said the information can help keep local leaders accountable.