A Norfolk County, Massachusetts Campaign

Abolish Norfolk County

An unelected, redundant layer of government that costs taxpayers millions and answers to no one. It's time to end it.

“When was the last time you had a problem and thought, ‘Thank God the Norfolk County Government was here to help me’?”

The Ask

A simple, non-binding question

Should we direct our State Representative to abolish the Norfolk County Commissioners' office? Here's exactly what changes — and, just as importantly, what doesn't.

What Goes

  • The County Commissioners’ Office

    The elected-by-almost-nobody commissioners who run county government.

  • The County Advisory Board

    A redundant administrative layer that duplicates what the state already does.

What Stays

  • Sheriff, Jail & District Attorney

    Already state-funded. This question does not pertain to them in any way.

  • Registry of Deeds

    Continues — funded directly by the state, minus the costly middleman. Exactly like Essex County did.

  • Norfolk County Agricultural High School

    Continues, state-funded — plus a new conservation restriction protecting its forests, farmland, and green space.

Precedent:Essex County abolished its commissioners and kept both its Agricultural school and Registry of Deeds. As a bonus, the Ag High School's Board of Trustees would be reorganized — replacing the 3 ex-officio commissioner seats with elected members.

The Case

The numbers don't lie

Millions in spending, redundant fees, and a track record of holding your money hostage. Here's what the county government actually costs you.

$0M

per year

The Norfolk County Commissioners’ annual budget.

$0M

per year

Fees charged to the 28 cities and towns for “services.”

0 of 14

already abolished

MA county governments already gone — including Essex, Middlesex, and Worcester. Norfolk is one of just six holdouts. Life went on fine.

$0M+

COVID relief sat on

Federal American Rescue Plan money the Commissioners held for ~9 months while counties without commissioners passed it to towns immediately. Where did the interest go?

The Bubbling Brook Solar Fight

The Commissioners are pushing a controversial solar project that would clear ~30 acres of forest, farmland, and recreation space in Westwood at the Ag High School — despite overwhelming public opposition. The school's roofs and parking lots were already used for solar. Abolishing the county is a path to delay or stop it and protect the land. With a July 2026 timeline, the clock is ticking.

Watch the hearing

Your Money, Fighting Your Towns

The Commissioners sued the Town of Walpole after it denied the solar company building permits — taxpayer-funded litigation that mainly benefits their lawyer. Let that sink in: your tax dollars are paying lawyers to fight your own towns.

I spent 10 years on the Norfolk County Agricultural High School Board of Trustees and ran for County Commissioner in 2022. In all that time, I couldn't get a straight answer for what a commissioner actually does — or why the office needs to exist at all. That's exactly the problem.
— Matthew J. Sheehan, Ag School Trustee (10 yrs), 2022 candidate

Your District

Find your state rep

Enter your address to see your Massachusetts House district and the representative who can move this forward. The map shows every district that overlaps Norfolk County — clipped to the county line.

Norfolk County districtNeighboring district (partly in county)Your district

Search your address to see your district, your representative, and how to reach them.

Take Action

This is how we win

Abolishing Norfolk County takes people power. Add your name, tell your representative, and help build the pressure to end the Commissioners' office for good.

Join the movement

Drop your email to volunteer, host a signature table, or just stay in the loop.

Follow the movement

Updates, hearing footage, and event announcements.

FAQ

Straight answers

The fears are understandable. Here's the truth about what actually changes.