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Workshops Annual Meeting Workshops Friday, Second Session
A “New” Civil Service: Another Unfunded Mandate?
Room 206, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Personnel Association
Changes introduced by the state Human Resources Division in September delegate responsibility for the civil service appointment and promotion process to cities and towns. While some municipalities had already assumed this responsibility, for most the change represents a new step in the hiring and promotion of police and firefighters. Panelists will offer advice for navigating this new environment.
PANELISTS
Angela Natho is the personnel director in New Bedford.
Janice Borg Silverman is a personnel consultant for Attleboro.
Sally McNeely is the director of civil service and policy for the Human Resources Division.
MODERATOR
Elizabeth Dennis is director of human resources in Needham and a member of the Massachusetts Municipal Personnel Association’s Board.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• A Certification Handbook: Entry Level Public Safety Appointments Subject to Civil Service (392K PDF)
Civil Service Unit, Human Resources Division
• A Certification Handbook: Departmental Public Safety Promotions Subject to Civil Service (236K PDF)
Civil Service Unit, Human Resources Division
• Proposed PAR Rule Amendments (2.3M PDF)
Human Resources Division
• Certification Delegation Information Session (3.1M PDF)
Civil Service Unit, Human Resources Division
Collective Bargaining Strategies for Health Insurance
Room 208, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the MMA’s Policy Committee on Personnel and Labor Relations
Every local official knows that health insurance costs have exploded in recent years and threaten to overwhelm municipal budgets in the near future. To make matters worse, cities and towns are required to use the time-consuming and difficult collective bargaining process to make changes in plan design. This workshop will discuss how two communities overcame obstacles to get important, money-saving changes in municipal health insurance.
PANELISTS
Frederic Turkington is the town administrator in Wayland.
Michael Gardner is the personnel director in Cambridge and a longtime member of the MMA’s Policy Committee on Personnel and Labor Relations.
MODERATOR
David Baier is the legislative director for the MMA.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• Collective Bargaining Strategies for Health Insurance (2.8M PDF)
Michael Gardner, Personnel Director, Cambridge
Costs, Benefits and Opportunities for Renewable Energy in Your Community
Room 204, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
Are you considering the installation of solar or wind power in your community? Find out what incentives are available and how to obtain strategic consulting support. Learn about the economics of renewable energy and valuable lessons in how to present projects to achieve public support. Hear about case studies from Newburyport, Falmouth and other communities.
PANELISTS
Carter Wall is the executive director of the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust.
Megan Amsler is the executive director of the nonprofit Cape & Islands Self-Reliance Corp.
Lori Ribeiro is a principal consultant with the MMA Energy Services Alliance and Clean Energy Solutions Inc.
Jeffery Wootan is the director of business development for Broadway Electrical Company.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• Opportunities for Renewable Energy in Your Community (504K PDF)
MMA Energy Services Alliance and Clean Energy Solutions Inc.
• Costs, Benefits and Opportunities for Renewable Energy in Your Community (544K PDF)
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
• Getting a Community to Embrace Wind Energy (536K PDF)
Town of Falmouth
• A Solar Presentation (2.9M PDF)
Broadway Electrical
Letting the Sunshine in: The New Open Meeting Law
Room 200, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association and the MMA’s Policy Committee on Municipal and Regional Administration
Significant changes were enacted this year to the Open Meeting Law. Are you prepared? This program will focus on those changes and how you can comply with the revised law.
Eligible for MIIA Rewards credits
PANELISTS
Christopher Petrini is president of the City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association and the town counsel in Framingham.
Robert Ritchie is general counsel at the Department of Agricultural Resources and former director of the Municipal Law Unit in the Attorney General’s Office.
MODERATOR
Margaret Hurley is the director of the Municipal Law Unit in the Attorney General’s Office.
New Standards Governing Ethical Conduct
Room 210, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association and the MMA’s Policy Committee on Municipal and Regional Administration
In light of recent changes to the state’s conflict-of-interest law, this panel will help local officials better understand their ethical obligations and how to avoid problems. The panelists are experienced attorneys in this important area of duties and obligations.
Eligible for MIIA Rewards credits
PANELISTS
Deidre Roney is general counsel to the State Ethics Commission.
Judy Levenson is an attorney with Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten.
MODERATOR
Robert Mangiaratti is an attorney with Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane.
Passing the Baton: Municipal Succession Planning
Room 202, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association
As the baby-boomer generation ages out of the work force, cities and towns face the risk of losing significant institutional knowledge. One local human resources director estimates that within the next three to five years, seven out of 10 department heads will be retiring. To deal with such scenarios, an HR strategy/structure must be in place. In this workshop, information on the “technology” of succession planning will be presented to guide you toward initiating a municipal succession plan.
Eligible for MIIA Rewards credits
PANELIST
Will Brown manages the municipal Employee Assistance Provider program for Health Resources, MIIA’s EAP program provider.
MODERATOR
John Kelly is MIIA’s operations manager.
Practical Financing for Redevelopment
Room 209, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Department of Housing and Community Development and the MMA’s Policy Committee on Municipal and Regional Administration
Leveraging financing for local development as funding declines requires resourcefulness, ingenuity and perseverance. Learn what strategies other communities are using to undertake successful development during these challenging times.
PANELISTS
William Martin is the mayor of Greenfield.
Cassandra Acly is the director of economic development and planning in Southbridge.
Tamar Kotelchuck is the director of policy and planning at Lawrence CommunityWorks.
MODERATOR
Dennis DiZoglio is the executive director of the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• Practical Financing for Redevelopment : Town of Southbridge (7.2M PDF)
• Practical Financing for Redevelopment : Lawrence & the Union Crossing Development (3.8M PDF)
Lawrence CommunityWorks Inc.
Social Media for Communities: A Passing Fad?
Room 201, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
Communications theorist Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase “the medium is the message.” Today’s social media, including blogs, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, have created a new dynamic in communication among local government and residents. Panelists will discuss the drawbacks and benefits of these new media and how local officials can incorporate them into their communication strategies.
PANELISTS
Thatcher Kezer is the mayor of Amesbury.
Peter Kim is the North America managing director for the Dachis Group.
Josh Ostroff is a selectman in Natick.
MODERATOR
Douglas Gutro is a city councillor in Quincy and a board member of the Massachusetts Municipal Councillors’ Association.
So You Want to Be a Town Manager?
Room 203, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association
The varied routes to becoming a municipal administrator will be discussed. Panelists will talk about their own career paths as well as the core competencies and skills they feel are required to be an effective manager. Participants will be given a host of resources to assist them in their own career paths to becoming a municipal manager.
PANELISTS
Patricia Vinchesi is the town administrator in Scituate.
Anita Schiepers is the assistant town administrator in Lincoln.
Leon Gaumond is the town administrator in West Boylston.
MODERATOR
Buzz Stapczynski is the town manager in Andover and chair of the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association’s Future Managers Committee.
Tapping Into the Creative Economy
Room 205, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
A vibrant arts and culture scene can lead to increased commerce and investment in a community. This workshop will examine strategies that cities and towns can pursue to foster the growth of a “creative economy.” Panelists will highlight available resources and opportunities as well as municipal success stories.
PANELISTS
Kim Driscoll is the mayor of Salem.
L.Z. Nunn is the director of the Office of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in Lowell.
Anita Walker is the director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
MODERATOR
John Klimm is the town manager in Barnstable.
Workshops Annual Meeting Workshops Friday, Second Session
Annual Meeting Workshops Friday, Second Session
A “New” Civil Service: Another Unfunded Mandate?
Room 206, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Personnel Association
Changes introduced by the state Human Resources Division in September delegate responsibility for the civil service appointment and promotion process to cities and towns. While some municipalities had already assumed this responsibility, for most the change represents a new step in the hiring and promotion of police and firefighters. Panelists will offer advice for navigating this new environment.
PANELISTS
Angela Natho is the personnel director in New Bedford.
Janice Borg Silverman is a personnel consultant for Attleboro.
Sally McNeely is the director of civil service and policy for the Human Resources Division.
MODERATOR
Elizabeth Dennis is director of human resources in Needham and a member of the Massachusetts Municipal Personnel Association’s Board.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• A Certification Handbook: Entry Level Public Safety Appointments Subject to Civil Service (392K PDF)
Civil Service Unit, Human Resources Division
• A Certification Handbook: Departmental Public Safety Promotions Subject to Civil Service (236K PDF)
Civil Service Unit, Human Resources Division
• Proposed PAR Rule Amendments (2.3M PDF)
Human Resources Division
• Certification Delegation Information Session (3.1M PDF)
Civil Service Unit, Human Resources Division
Collective Bargaining Strategies for Health Insurance
Room 208, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the MMA’s Policy Committee on Personnel and Labor Relations
Every local official knows that health insurance costs have exploded in recent years and threaten to overwhelm municipal budgets in the near future. To make matters worse, cities and towns are required to use the time-consuming and difficult collective bargaining process to make changes in plan design. This workshop will discuss how two communities overcame obstacles to get important, money-saving changes in municipal health insurance.
PANELISTS
Frederic Turkington is the town administrator in Wayland.
Michael Gardner is the personnel director in Cambridge and a longtime member of the MMA’s Policy Committee on Personnel and Labor Relations.
MODERATOR
David Baier is the legislative director for the MMA.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• Collective Bargaining Strategies for Health Insurance (2.8M PDF)
Michael Gardner, Personnel Director, Cambridge
Costs, Benefits and Opportunities for Renewable Energy in Your Community
Room 204, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
Are you considering the installation of solar or wind power in your community? Find out what incentives are available and how to obtain strategic consulting support. Learn about the economics of renewable energy and valuable lessons in how to present projects to achieve public support. Hear about case studies from Newburyport, Falmouth and other communities.
PANELISTS
Carter Wall is the executive director of the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust.
Megan Amsler is the executive director of the nonprofit Cape & Islands Self-Reliance Corp.
Lori Ribeiro is a principal consultant with the MMA Energy Services Alliance and Clean Energy Solutions Inc.
Jeffery Wootan is the director of business development for Broadway Electrical Company.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• Opportunities for Renewable Energy in Your Community (504K PDF)
MMA Energy Services Alliance and Clean Energy Solutions Inc.
• Costs, Benefits and Opportunities for Renewable Energy in Your Community (544K PDF)
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
• Getting a Community to Embrace Wind Energy (536K PDF)
Town of Falmouth
• A Solar Presentation (2.9M PDF)
Broadway Electrical
Letting the Sunshine in: The New Open Meeting Law
Room 200, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association and the MMA’s Policy Committee on Municipal and Regional Administration
Significant changes were enacted this year to the Open Meeting Law. Are you prepared? This program will focus on those changes and how you can comply with the revised law.
Eligible for MIIA Rewards credits
PANELISTS
Christopher Petrini is president of the City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association and the town counsel in Framingham.
Robert Ritchie is general counsel at the Department of Agricultural Resources and former director of the Municipal Law Unit in the Attorney General’s Office.
MODERATOR
Margaret Hurley is the director of the Municipal Law Unit in the Attorney General’s Office.
New Standards Governing Ethical Conduct
Room 210, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association and the MMA’s Policy Committee on Municipal and Regional Administration
In light of recent changes to the state’s conflict-of-interest law, this panel will help local officials better understand their ethical obligations and how to avoid problems. The panelists are experienced attorneys in this important area of duties and obligations.
Eligible for MIIA Rewards credits
PANELISTS
Deidre Roney is general counsel to the State Ethics Commission.
Judy Levenson is an attorney with Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten.
MODERATOR
Robert Mangiaratti is an attorney with Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane.
Passing the Baton: Municipal Succession Planning
Room 202, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association
As the baby-boomer generation ages out of the work force, cities and towns face the risk of losing significant institutional knowledge. One local human resources director estimates that within the next three to five years, seven out of 10 department heads will be retiring. To deal with such scenarios, an HR strategy/structure must be in place. In this workshop, information on the “technology” of succession planning will be presented to guide you toward initiating a municipal succession plan.
Eligible for MIIA Rewards credits
PANELIST
Will Brown manages the municipal Employee Assistance Provider program for Health Resources, MIIA’s EAP program provider.
MODERATOR
John Kelly is MIIA’s operations manager.
Practical Financing for Redevelopment
Room 209, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Department of Housing and Community Development and the MMA’s Policy Committee on Municipal and Regional Administration
Leveraging financing for local development as funding declines requires resourcefulness, ingenuity and perseverance. Learn what strategies other communities are using to undertake successful development during these challenging times.
PANELISTS
William Martin is the mayor of Greenfield.
Cassandra Acly is the director of economic development and planning in Southbridge.
Tamar Kotelchuck is the director of policy and planning at Lawrence CommunityWorks.
MODERATOR
Dennis DiZoglio is the executive director of the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• Practical Financing for Redevelopment : Town of Southbridge (7.2M PDF)
• Practical Financing for Redevelopment : Lawrence & the Union Crossing Development (3.8M PDF)
Lawrence CommunityWorks Inc.
Social Media for Communities: A Passing Fad?
Room 201, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
Communications theorist Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase “the medium is the message.” Today’s social media, including blogs, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, have created a new dynamic in communication among local government and residents. Panelists will discuss the drawbacks and benefits of these new media and how local officials can incorporate them into their communication strategies.
PANELISTS
Thatcher Kezer is the mayor of Amesbury.
Peter Kim is the North America managing director for the Dachis Group.
Josh Ostroff is a selectman in Natick.
MODERATOR
Douglas Gutro is a city councillor in Quincy and a board member of the Massachusetts Municipal Councillors’ Association.
So You Want to Be a Town Manager?
Room 203, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association
The varied routes to becoming a municipal administrator will be discussed. Panelists will talk about their own career paths as well as the core competencies and skills they feel are required to be an effective manager. Participants will be given a host of resources to assist them in their own career paths to becoming a municipal manager.
PANELISTS
Patricia Vinchesi is the town administrator in Scituate.
Anita Schiepers is the assistant town administrator in Lincoln.
Leon Gaumond is the town administrator in West Boylston.
MODERATOR
Buzz Stapczynski is the town manager in Andover and chair of the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association’s Future Managers Committee.
Tapping Into the Creative Economy
Room 205, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
A vibrant arts and culture scene can lead to increased commerce and investment in a community. This workshop will examine strategies that cities and towns can pursue to foster the growth of a “creative economy.” Panelists will highlight available resources and opportunities as well as municipal success stories.
PANELISTS
Kim Driscoll is the mayor of Salem.
L.Z. Nunn is the director of the Office of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in Lowell.
Anita Walker is the director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
MODERATOR
John Klimm is the town manager in Barnstable.
