| Click on the image below to launch OnlineGIS |
 |
IntroductionThe Town of Sterling is committed to providing access to public information on our website. Some information is best viewed through a geographical reference and we are making this information available through our OnlineGIS website. We will continue to add information as it becomes available.
What is GIS? A geographic (or geographical) information system (GIS) captures, stores, analyzes, manages and presents data that is associated with a geographical location. What type of information is available? We have a variety of different types of information from assessors data to zoning, recreation and utility infrastructure. Many town boards, committees and departments, as well as the general public, will find useful information here. For details on the information currently on the site, please review the section on Map Layers below.
Using the OnlineGIS system  When you first arrive at our OnlineGIS
site, you will see a map of the town in the main window along with tool bar across the top. Here you can find tools that allow you to zoom in and out, pan across the map, get information on a particular location, measure distance and area and print the map you are viewing. You can also change the type of map displayed, such as a parcel map, aerial view or relief map.
There are a variety of feature controls in the left-hand column. You can search the map by location, owner or parcel id; you can turn map layers on and off; you can view the details of a selected location; or zoom into an area of interest. These tools can be used separately or together.
We encourage you to click on Help when you first arrive at our OnlineGIS site and review the use of the tools and buttons. Review "Search the Map" to use the "Find" feature and the "Map Details" section to see what information is available on parcels. This will make it
easier for you to make use of this new system.
NOTE: The OnlineGIS website requires Microsoft Silverlight, a free plug-in for your browser. You may be prompted to download and install Silverlight if it is not already on your computer.
Areas of Interest This tool will zoom the map to a particular location in town, e.g. the Fire Station. This tool changes the zoom level and centers on a particular parcel.
 Map LayersWe have defined a number of Quick Maps that contain layers with different types of information. When you select a particular Quick Map, the base information will be displayed along with additional related information. Quick Maps often contain a number of different layers that can be turned
on and off by clicking the check box next to the name. Please note that not all layers available in a Quick Map are visible by default, so you can review the types of information layers available in the left-hand column and choose which layers you would like to see.
 You can choose a particular Quick Map, by using the drop-down list on the button. To display more than one map, or to pick and choose different features of multiple maps, you can use the navigation list below the Quick Maps button. Toggle the display of a map by checking and un-checking the box before the map name. To see the different layers within each Quick Map, click on the small white triangle by the name. This will expand the information on the map. If you wish to distinguish among the
features being displayed, you can expand the layer futher to show the color or icon associated with the information.
Quick Map |
Description |
Base Map |
These map layers are available on all of the Quick Maps, though you can turn them off/on as desired: parcel lines (2011), rights of way, lot numbers, street names, adjacent towns, tax map index, tax map text, buildings, condos, wet areas and water bodies. |
Civic |
Municipal lands and Voting Precinct Map. |
Conservation Map 1 |
Certified and Potential Vernal pools and priority & estimated habitats of rare species. |
Conservation 2 |
Chapter 61 lands (forestry, agriculture and recreation), properties in DCR ownership, lands with Watershed Preservation Restrictions and Conservation Land. |
FEMA Flood Map |
Federal Emergency Management Agency Q3 Flood Data |
MassGIS Data |
Major drainage basins and Open Space lands |
Recreation Map |
bicycle trails and trails mapped by the Open Space Implementation Committee and recreation areas owned by the town. |
Resource Protection Map |
Watershed Protection Act zones (Cohen bill), DEP wetlands, Title 5 setback areas, watershed features, and watershed preservation restrictions |
Topography |
Elevation Contours (1:5000) |
Zoning Map |
Zoning and Overlay Districts |
|
