Workshops Annual Meeting Workshops, Saturday Session
Annual Meeting Workshops, Saturday Session
1. Capital Planning: Affording the Big Stuff
Presented by the Association of Town Finance Committees
This workshop will discuss how to create and implement a successful capital plan. Arlington’s and Wellesley’s long-term and multiyear planning models will be highlighted.
PANELISTS
Charles Foskett is the chair of the Arlington Capital Committee.
Christopher Ketchen is deputy executive director in Wellesley.
MODERATOR
Paul Joyce is a member of the Dedham Capital Expenditures Committee.
Workshop eligible for MIIA Rewards points
• Capital Planning: Affording the Big Stuff (2.5MB PDF)
• Arlington: Capital Planning Committee Report (317K PDF)
• Developing a Process for Making Capital Investments (538K PDF)
2. Clean, Green and Lean: Procurement of Renewable Energy Projects
Presented by the MMA Policy Committee on Energy and the Environment
Renewable energy projects are being proposed throughout the state. How do you know a project is right for your community? Is it the best deal? Experts will walk you through a project pipeline, from conception to construction, including municipal contracting issues, state and federal grants, tax credits and other incentives.
PANELISTS
Andy Brydges is a director of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s Renewable Energy Generation program.
Catherine Finneran is the clean energy director at the Department of Environmental Protection.
Richard Holland is a principal of the law firm Kopelman and Paige.
MODERATOR
Henrietta Davis is a city councillor in Cambridge.
• Renewable Energy Opportunities (2M PDF)
• Clean, Green, and Lean (633K)
• Municipal Contract Issues (610K PDF)
3. From Ad to Offer: Hiring by Committee
Presented by the Massachusetts Selectmen’s Association
Hiring a chief executive administrator is a key responsibility of a board of selectmen. Whether doing so alone or with the help of a consultant, finding the candidate who best serves the community’s needs is a challenge. This session will explore key steps in the process, including developing a candidate profile, creating a selection committee, interviewing, and negotiating an offer.
PANELISTS
Mary Pat Flynn is the chair of the Falmouth Board of Selectmen and a Barnstable County commissioner.
Peter Hechenbleikner is the town manager in Reading.
MODERATOR
Paul DeRensis is the vice chair of the Sherborn Board of Selectman and president of the Massachusetts Selectmen’s Association.
Workshop eligible for MIIA Rewards points
• Massachusetts Recruitment Guidelines MMMA (455K PDF)
• From Ad to Offer Hiring by Committee (83K PDF)
• Additional Sample Interview Questions (94K PDF)
4. Making the Case for Regional Emergency Dispatch
Presented by the State E911 Department
Regionalizing public safety dispatch has a proven track record of reducing costs and improving services. This workshop will highlight incentives for regionalizing emergency communications and examples of successful regional agreements.
PANELISTS
Thatcher Kezer is the mayor of Amesbury and a member of the Essex County Regional Emergency Communications Center.
Orlando Pacheco is the town administrator in Lancaster and a member of the Nashoba Valley Regional Emergency Communications Center.
Frank Pozniak is the executive director of the State E911 Department.
MODERATOR
James Merriam is the town administrator in Harwich.
5. Municipal Ethics Test: What You Need to Know
Presented by the State Ethics Commission
This workshop will help attendees learn more about the online-training component of the state’s conflict-of-interest law. Municipal employees and elected officials are required to complete the training program within 30 days of beginning public service, and every two years thereafter.
PANELIST
David Giannotti is chief of the State Ethics Commission’s Public Education and Communications Division.
MODERATOR
Donna Hooper is president of the Massachusetts Town Clerk’s Association.
Workshop eligible for MIIA Rewards points
• PACE in the Municipality/Non State Domain (3MB PDF)
• Sample Knowledge Check Questions (154K PDF)
6. Municipal Law Update
Presented by the City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association
Puzzled by the recent changes in the state’s open meeting, public records and ethics laws? Concerned about how the latest court cases affect your municipality? A panel of municipal lawyers will be on hand to answer your questions.
PANELISTS
John Finnegan is an attorney with the Boston law firm Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers.
Henry Luthin is first assistant corporation counsel for the city of Boston.
Juliana Rice is town counsel for the town of Arlington.
MODERATOR
Stacy Bloom is president of the City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association and assistant general counsel to the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services.
Workshop eligible for MIIA Rewards points
7. Overview of National Health Care and State Health Payment Reform
Presented by the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association’s Health Benefits Trust
This session will provide an update on national health care reform, focusing on areas that have relevance for local governments. Options under consideration in Massachusetts will be discussed as well.
PANELIST
Marge Houy is a senior consultant at Bailit Health Purchasing.
MODERATOR
Ann Ludlow is the manager of the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association’s Health Benefits Trust.
• National and State Health Reform Updates (312K PDF)
8. The Road Less Traveled: Maximizing Your Transportation Dollars
Presented by the Massachusetts Highway Association
To make use of federal and state transportation dollars, a community has to go through a comprehensive series of steps. This workshop will examine three mechanisms that fund roadways: federal and state funding channeled through metropolitan planning organizations; funding provided by the state alone; and local aid sources such as Chapter 90 funds.
PANELISTS
Jim Lovejoy is a selectman in Mount Washington.
Karl Quakenbush is the executive director of the Central Transportation Planning Staff.
Richard Reed is the town manager in Bedford.
MODERATOR
David Knowlton is the city engineer in Salem.
• Understanding the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) (1MB)
9. Your Options for Procuring Designer Services
Presented by the MMA Policy Committee on Municipal and Regional Administration
Procuring engineering and architectural design services for public projects can be a confusing process. This session will discuss what to keep in mind when contracting these services in order to get the best value.
PANELISTS
Tom DiPaolo is the assistant chief engineer at the Massachusetts Highway Division.
Beverly Sleeper is the chief procurement officer in Marlborough.
David Young is vice president of the engineering firm CDM Smith.
MODERATOR
Vicki Quiram is the director of public works in Westwood.
• Your Options for Procuring Designer Services (648K PDF)
• Municipal Project Guide for Road and Bridge Projects (180K PDF)
• An Overview of Municipal Options (827K PDF)
• IG Chart: Public Building Project Design Services (55K PDF)
• IG Chart: Supplies & Services (48.9K PDF)
• IG Model Designer Selection Procedures for Municipalities (306K PDF)
