Overview
A credit rating is assigned to a municipality to help investors assess the future ability, legal obligation, and willingness of the municipality (bond issuer) to make timely debt service payments. Stated otherwise, a rating helps prospective investors determine the level of risk associated with a given fixed-income investment. Rating agencies, such as Moody's and Standard and Poor's, use rating systems that designate a letter or a combination of letters and numerals, where AAA is the highest rating and C1 is very low.
2017 Bond Rating (PDF)
MA Town Bond Ratings
Moodys Ratings Explained (PDF)