Local leaders chosen for Advisory Commission
Thirty-two local officials from across the state were sworn in today as members of the Massachusetts Local Government Advisory Commission, which will meet regularly throughout the year with Gov. Deval Patrick and Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray to discuss issues facing cities and towns.• View gallery of downloadable photos from LGAC meeting
In a major address to local officials at the MMA’s Annual Meeting in January, Gov. Patrick said he will rely on the LGAC as his “municipal cabinet” for advice, consultation and input on municipal issues.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, the LGAC held its first meeting of the year, with Gov. Patrick, Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray and senior members of the governor’s administration.
During the meeting, local officials discussed the need for a stronger, more collaborative relationship with state government that includes long-term fiscal reforms and state-local revenue sharing to reduce reliance on property taxes and to reinvest in municipal services and programs. Commission members also provided input on the governor’s state budget plan and local aid priorities.
The MMA Board of Directors, which includes 29 of the LGAC members, met earlier in the day in Boston to set a strong and aggressive agenda to advance the interests of cities and towns, including increasing local aid and lowering the property tax burden, winning greater home rule management powers, and establishing an effective partnership with state government.
“We are very pleased that these energized local leaders have stepped forward to serve as a leader of the MMA, and as a member of the Local Government Advisory Commission,” said MMA Executive Director Geoff Beckwith. “We know that cities and towns will be well represented.”
The oath of office was administered in the Governor’s Executive Suite in the State House.
The following are the MMA members of the LGAC for 2007:• MMA President David Kielson, Select Board, Chesterfield
• John Barrett III, Mayor, North Adams
• John Coderre, Assistant Town Administrator, Northborough
• David Cohen, Mayor, Newton
• Colleen Corona, Selectman, Easton
• David Cressman, Town Manager, Tewksbury
• Joseph Curtatone, Mayor, Somerville
• John Drobinski, Selectman, Sudbury
• Kate Fitzpatrick, Town Manager, Needham
• Claire Freda, Councillor, Leominster
• Jeffrey Hardin, Selectman, Millis
• Jonathan Hecht, Councillor, Watertown
• Robert Hicks, Finance Committee, Easton
• Edward Lambert Jr., Mayor, Fall River
• Robert Logan, Councillor, Waltham
• Bernard Lynch, City Manager, Lowell
• James Malloy, Town Administrator, Sturbridge
• Michael McGlynn, Mayor, Medford
• Thomas Menino, Mayor, Boston
• Joshua Ostroff, Selectman, Natick
• William Scanlon, Mayor, Beverly
• Alan Sentkowski, Selectman, Princeton
• Michael Sullivan, Mayor, Holyoke
• Bruce Tobey, Councillor, Gloucester
• Maureen Valente, Town Manager, Sudbury
• Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator, Eastham
• Gerald Wasserman, Selectman, Needham
• Robin Wilkins, Selectman, Harwich
• Thomas Younger, Town Administrator, Belmont
The LGAC also includes three members of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.
Written by MMA Publications/Web Director John Ouellette
