18-127-158 Me. Code R. § 1
For the GIS Needs and Requirements Analysis mandated by the legislature, a survey was issued to a wide group of Maine GIS stakeholders in October of 2001. As part of that survey and interviews conducted by a contractor, GIS users were asked to identify data layers that would most benefit their operations, but which were not available to them. Of the layers requested, property parcels ( digital cadastral maps) had the highest priority. Consequently the final report recommended the development of parcel data as a statewide data layer and the development of detailed standards for digital parcel data.
Applied Geographics Inc., State of Maine GIS Needs Assessment & Requirements Analysis and Strategic Plan to Develop The Maine Public Library of Geographic Information, January 2002, page 29, page 22
Property Maps are one of the most important local government information assets. It is a fundamental base for many municipal activities. Although GIS parcel data cannot replace detailed ground surveys, the data does assist municipal officials with functions such as accurate property tax assessment, planning and zoning. Towns can link their maps to their assessor's databases and display local information. Officials can show tax-payers how proposed development or changes in municipal services and regulations will affect them and their neighbors. In many towns, parcel data also helps to provide public notices, plan bus routes, and carry out other municipal services.
Vermont Center for Geographic Information, Handbook, Part 3 - Guidelines Section A, Municipal Property Mapping, December 2000, ver. 2.0
In January of 2003, under the auspices of the Maine Geolibrary Board, a Digital Parcel Standards Committee was formed to develop published standards for digital tax parcel data. The committee was composed of representatives from the following public and private sector organizations: Bureau Information Services, Central Maine Power Company, City of Bath, City of Portland, Department of Conservation, Department of Transportation, Greater Portland Council of Governments, Hancock County Planning Commission, Island Institute, James W. Sewall Company, Maine Revenue Service, Maine State Archives, Northern Maine Development Commission and the State Planning Office.
The Committee, thru meetings and electronic review, worked out the basic standards for the acceptance of parcel (cadastral) spatial and tabular data into the Geolibrary. These standards were formalized into a publication which was then presented along with certain recommendations to the Geolibrary Board on May 21st, 2003.
18-127 C.M.R. ch. 158, § 1