The Massachusetts Department of Revenue's Division of Local Services maintains an extensive database of information in its Municipal Data Bank which can be found at www.mass.gov/dor. The database, which is drawn from fiscal reporting cities and towns are required to perform, provides for easy comparisons on municipal spending, debt levels, financial flexibilty, property tax rates, tax levies, and a host of other similar reports. It also offers community profiles that include socioeconomic factors. While the Municipal Data Bank does not contain such granular data as response time to fires or crime rates, it is an easy to use resource that allows for many other types of comparisons.

Any time you're counting on state government to provide resources and innovation, you're almost certainly going to be disappointed. If you're looking for corruption, however, that they can handle.