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Workshops Annual Meeting Workshops Friday, First Session
ABCs of School Funding
Room 202, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts School Building Authority
This workshop will provide municipal officials with a working understanding of the state’s main school finance law. Panelists will cover the policy objectives of Chapter 70 and the rules for calculating the state aid and required local contribution amounts for individual municipalities and regional school districts.
PANELISTS
Noah Berger is the executive director of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center.
Roger Hatch is the school finance administrator for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
MODERATOR
John Musante is the assistant town manager and finance director in Amherst.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• The Chapter 70 State Aid Formula: Recent Trends and Future Prospects (1M PDF)
Mass. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Burdens, Budgets and Boundaries: Sharing Services to Protect Public Health
Room 209, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Department of Public Health and the MMA’s Policy Committee on Municipal and Regional Administration
This workshop will explore potential opportunities for cities and towns to share public health services. The discussion will include lessons from existing regional health districts, legal tools that are available, and strategic options for promoting fiscal responsibility as well as for improving the quality of public health.
PANELISTS
Cheryl Sbarra is the lead staff attorney for the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards.
Peter Kolodziej is the director of the Tri-Town Health Department, which comprises Stockbridge, Lenox and Lee.
MODERATOR
Geoff Wilkinson is a senior policy advisor in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• Burdens, Budgets, and Boundaries: Sharing Services to Protect Public Health (668K PDF)
Cheryl Sbarra, Senior Staff Attorney, Mass. Assoc. of Health Boards; Peter Kolodziej, Director, Tri-Town Health Department; Geoff Wilkinson, Senior Policy Advisor, Mass. Department of Public Health
Funding Strategies in Challenging Times
Room 205, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Local Officials Human Services Council
Had enough downsizing, cuts and losses? This workshop will explore innovative strategies designed to help local officials develop creative and sustainable funding mechanisms for human services. Among the topics to be discussed are grants, how to establish a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, enterprise funds, gift accounts, expendable trusts, and revolving funds.
PANELISTS
Carl Alves is New Bedford’s resource development consultant and executive director of the service organization Positive Action Against Chemical Addiction.
Mary Ellen Kelly is the chief financial officer in Framingham.
MODERATOR
Sue Baldauf is the youth and family services director in Bedford and president of the Local Officials Human Services Council.
Labor Law Update
Room 313, 3rd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
This workshop is the annual review of the significant court cases, legislative changes, and administrative decisions that affect municipalities in the area of labor and employment law.
Eligible for MIIA Rewards credits
PANELISTS
Philip Collins is a founding partner and attorney with Collins, Loughran, and Peloquin in Norwood.
D.M. Moschos heads the labor and employment group at the law firm Mirick O’Connell in Worcester.
MODERATOR
David Baier is legislative director for the MMA.
New Issues in Municipal Finance and Administration
Room 210, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Division of Local Services
This workshop will examine the outlook for the economy and state finances for the current fiscal year and beyond, with special attention paid to the potential impact on cities and towns. Panelists also will discuss the importance of accurate forecasting and capital budgeting in the current economic environment.
PANELISTS
Navjeet Bal is the commissioner of the Department of Revenue.
Matthew Gorzkowicz is undersecretary in the Executive Office for Administration and Finance.
MODERATOR
Robert Nunes is deputy commissioner of the Division of Local Services and state director of municipal affairs.
Open Town Meeting to a Mayor – and Everything in Between
Room 203, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association and the MMMA’s Form of Government Committee
What would my community look like if we operated with a … form of government? Towns often try to answer this as they go through a study of their form of government. This session will give a snapshot of how mayor/council, manager/council and representative and open town meeting communities operate. Speakers represent the array of charter options and will discuss the day-to-day operations in their communities and the role of the mayor or administrator.
PANELISTS
Diana Schindler is the town administrator in Southampton.
Peter Hechenbleikner is the town manager in Reading.
Bernie Lynch is the city manager in Lowell.
Thatcher Kezer is the mayor of Amesbury.
MODERATOR
Hans Larsen is executive director in Wellesley and chair of the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association’s Form of Government Committee.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• Form of Government Resource List (92K PDF)
Massachusetts Municipal Management Association
• Form of Government Overview (36K PDF)
Massachusetts Municipal Management Association
• Charter Basics: Town Manager/Town Administrator Form (100K PDF)
Massachusetts Municipal Management Association
Ridding the Bumps in the Road: Building an Effective Relationship With Your DPW
Room 208, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Highway Association
This panel will explore practical means of building a stronger, more productive relationship between a city or town’s municipal management and its public works department.
PANELISTS
Robert Cantoreggi is the public works director in Franklin.
David Lane is the public works director in Danvers.
Diane Norris is the assistant town manager in Danvers and chair of the MMA’s Policy Committee on Public Works, Transportation and Public Utilities.
Jeff Nutting is the town manager in Franklin and president of the MMA.
MODERATOR
Joseph Welch is president of the Massachusetts Highway Association.
Saving Energy: Tips, Tricks and Traps
Room 204, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
Energy service companies (ESCOs), grants, utility incentives, and emerging municipal tools present opportunities to improve a community’s energy infrastructure. This workshop will discuss what you should look for – and look out for – in ESCOs. It will review utility incentives and how they work with other programs, as well as practical steps you can take to get started on saving energy, even if you don’t have extensive staffing. The development of new energy-financing tools and the future of energy pricing and conservation will also be discussed.
PANELISTS
Bill Codner is the municipal program manager for National Grid.
Chris Mason is the energy and sustainability officer for the city of Northampton.
Steve Morgan is the president of Clean Energy Solutions Inc.
MODERATOR
Mike Sherman is the director of Energy Efficiency Programs at the Department of Energy Resources.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• Energy Saving Tips and Upcoming Tricks: Actions in Northampton and Western Mass. (668K PDF)
Chris Mason, Energy and Sustainability Officer, City of Northampton
• Statewide natural gas and electric energy efficiency programs for consumers, municipalities, landlords and businesses (840K PDF)
National Grid
• The Pros and Cons of Energy Performance Contracting for Municipalities (300K PDF)
Clean Energy Solutions
Strategies for Developing Healthy Communities
Room 206, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
This workshop will address the relationship between community design decisions and efforts to curb rising obesity rates. Creating safe, walkable cities and towns in which people are less dependent on their cars requires partnerships among disparate municipal departments. Panelists will discuss the obstacles that must be overcome in order to create healthier communities.
PANELISTS
Mark Fenton, a Scituate Planning Board member, is host of the PBS television program “America’s Walking.”
Wendy Landman is the executive director of WalkBoston.
MODERATOR
Joseph Curtatone is the mayor of Somerville.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• Shape Up Somerville: City on the Move (1.2M PDF)
The Future Direction of Health Care – Federal and State Initiatives
Room 201, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association’s Health Benefits Trust
This session will cover the most recent developments in health care at the federal and state level, highlighting the implications for local government.
PANELISTS
Marge Houy is a senior consultant at Bailit Health Purchasing.
Al Jones is the president of Jones Financial Group.
MODERATOR
Ann Ludlow is manager of the MIIA Health Benefits Trust.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• State & National Health Care Reform: Implications for Local Governments (868K PDF)
Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association
• Massachusetts Health Care Reform: Key Components and Implications for Municipalities (928K PDF)
Bailit Health Purchasing
• National Health Care Agenda: Key Components and Implications for Municipalities (688K PDF)
Bailit Health Purchasing
Workshops Annual Meeting Workshops Friday, First Session
Annual Meeting Workshops Friday, First Session
ABCs of School Funding
Room 202, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts School Building Authority
This workshop will provide municipal officials with a working understanding of the state’s main school finance law. Panelists will cover the policy objectives of Chapter 70 and the rules for calculating the state aid and required local contribution amounts for individual municipalities and regional school districts.
PANELISTS
Noah Berger is the executive director of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center.
Roger Hatch is the school finance administrator for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
MODERATOR
John Musante is the assistant town manager and finance director in Amherst.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• The Chapter 70 State Aid Formula: Recent Trends and Future Prospects (1M PDF)
Mass. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Burdens, Budgets and Boundaries: Sharing Services to Protect Public Health
Room 209, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Department of Public Health and the MMA’s Policy Committee on Municipal and Regional Administration
This workshop will explore potential opportunities for cities and towns to share public health services. The discussion will include lessons from existing regional health districts, legal tools that are available, and strategic options for promoting fiscal responsibility as well as for improving the quality of public health.
PANELISTS
Cheryl Sbarra is the lead staff attorney for the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards.
Peter Kolodziej is the director of the Tri-Town Health Department, which comprises Stockbridge, Lenox and Lee.
MODERATOR
Geoff Wilkinson is a senior policy advisor in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• Burdens, Budgets, and Boundaries: Sharing Services to Protect Public Health (668K PDF)
Cheryl Sbarra, Senior Staff Attorney, Mass. Assoc. of Health Boards; Peter Kolodziej, Director, Tri-Town Health Department; Geoff Wilkinson, Senior Policy Advisor, Mass. Department of Public Health
Funding Strategies in Challenging Times
Room 205, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Local Officials Human Services Council
Had enough downsizing, cuts and losses? This workshop will explore innovative strategies designed to help local officials develop creative and sustainable funding mechanisms for human services. Among the topics to be discussed are grants, how to establish a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, enterprise funds, gift accounts, expendable trusts, and revolving funds.
PANELISTS
Carl Alves is New Bedford’s resource development consultant and executive director of the service organization Positive Action Against Chemical Addiction.
Mary Ellen Kelly is the chief financial officer in Framingham.
MODERATOR
Sue Baldauf is the youth and family services director in Bedford and president of the Local Officials Human Services Council.
Labor Law Update
Room 313, 3rd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
This workshop is the annual review of the significant court cases, legislative changes, and administrative decisions that affect municipalities in the area of labor and employment law.
Eligible for MIIA Rewards credits
PANELISTS
Philip Collins is a founding partner and attorney with Collins, Loughran, and Peloquin in Norwood.
D.M. Moschos heads the labor and employment group at the law firm Mirick O’Connell in Worcester.
MODERATOR
David Baier is legislative director for the MMA.
New Issues in Municipal Finance and Administration
Room 210, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Division of Local Services
This workshop will examine the outlook for the economy and state finances for the current fiscal year and beyond, with special attention paid to the potential impact on cities and towns. Panelists also will discuss the importance of accurate forecasting and capital budgeting in the current economic environment.
PANELISTS
Navjeet Bal is the commissioner of the Department of Revenue.
Matthew Gorzkowicz is undersecretary in the Executive Office for Administration and Finance.
MODERATOR
Robert Nunes is deputy commissioner of the Division of Local Services and state director of municipal affairs.
Open Town Meeting to a Mayor – and Everything in Between
Room 203, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association and the MMMA’s Form of Government Committee
What would my community look like if we operated with a … form of government? Towns often try to answer this as they go through a study of their form of government. This session will give a snapshot of how mayor/council, manager/council and representative and open town meeting communities operate. Speakers represent the array of charter options and will discuss the day-to-day operations in their communities and the role of the mayor or administrator.
PANELISTS
Diana Schindler is the town administrator in Southampton.
Peter Hechenbleikner is the town manager in Reading.
Bernie Lynch is the city manager in Lowell.
Thatcher Kezer is the mayor of Amesbury.
MODERATOR
Hans Larsen is executive director in Wellesley and chair of the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association’s Form of Government Committee.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• Form of Government Resource List (92K PDF)
Massachusetts Municipal Management Association
• Form of Government Overview (36K PDF)
Massachusetts Municipal Management Association
• Charter Basics: Town Manager/Town Administrator Form (100K PDF)
Massachusetts Municipal Management Association
Ridding the Bumps in the Road: Building an Effective Relationship With Your DPW
Room 208, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Highway Association
This panel will explore practical means of building a stronger, more productive relationship between a city or town’s municipal management and its public works department.
PANELISTS
Robert Cantoreggi is the public works director in Franklin.
David Lane is the public works director in Danvers.
Diane Norris is the assistant town manager in Danvers and chair of the MMA’s Policy Committee on Public Works, Transportation and Public Utilities.
Jeff Nutting is the town manager in Franklin and president of the MMA.
MODERATOR
Joseph Welch is president of the Massachusetts Highway Association.
Saving Energy: Tips, Tricks and Traps
Room 204, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
Energy service companies (ESCOs), grants, utility incentives, and emerging municipal tools present opportunities to improve a community’s energy infrastructure. This workshop will discuss what you should look for – and look out for – in ESCOs. It will review utility incentives and how they work with other programs, as well as practical steps you can take to get started on saving energy, even if you don’t have extensive staffing. The development of new energy-financing tools and the future of energy pricing and conservation will also be discussed.
PANELISTS
Bill Codner is the municipal program manager for National Grid.
Chris Mason is the energy and sustainability officer for the city of Northampton.
Steve Morgan is the president of Clean Energy Solutions Inc.
MODERATOR
Mike Sherman is the director of Energy Efficiency Programs at the Department of Energy Resources.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• Energy Saving Tips and Upcoming Tricks: Actions in Northampton and Western Mass. (668K PDF)
Chris Mason, Energy and Sustainability Officer, City of Northampton
• Statewide natural gas and electric energy efficiency programs for consumers, municipalities, landlords and businesses (840K PDF)
National Grid
• The Pros and Cons of Energy Performance Contracting for Municipalities (300K PDF)
Clean Energy Solutions
Strategies for Developing Healthy Communities
Room 206, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
This workshop will address the relationship between community design decisions and efforts to curb rising obesity rates. Creating safe, walkable cities and towns in which people are less dependent on their cars requires partnerships among disparate municipal departments. Panelists will discuss the obstacles that must be overcome in order to create healthier communities.
PANELISTS
Mark Fenton, a Scituate Planning Board member, is host of the PBS television program “America’s Walking.”
Wendy Landman is the executive director of WalkBoston.
MODERATOR
Joseph Curtatone is the mayor of Somerville.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• Shape Up Somerville: City on the Move (1.2M PDF)
The Future Direction of Health Care – Federal and State Initiatives
Room 201, 2nd floor, Hynes Convention Center
Presented by the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association’s Health Benefits Trust
This session will cover the most recent developments in health care at the federal and state level, highlighting the implications for local government.
PANELISTS
Marge Houy is a senior consultant at Bailit Health Purchasing.
Al Jones is the president of Jones Financial Group.
MODERATOR
Ann Ludlow is manager of the MIIA Health Benefits Trust.
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
• State & National Health Care Reform: Implications for Local Governments (868K PDF)
Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association
• Massachusetts Health Care Reform: Key Components and Implications for Municipalities (928K PDF)
Bailit Health Purchasing
• National Health Care Agenda: Key Components and Implications for Municipalities (688K PDF)
Bailit Health Purchasing
