The Beacon is the MMA’s monthly news publication, covering the latest legislative and other developments that affect cities and towns. The Beacon includes a calendar of events and classified advertising, among other features. A subscription is for one year (11 issues). Note: Due to the COVID-19 emergency, The Beacon is publishing online as a PDF. These issues are linked below: • April 2020 issue of The Beacon (859K PDF) • May 2020 issue of The Beacon (834K PDF) • June 2020 issue of The Beacon (834K PDF)

• Beacon classified advertising information
• Online form for placing job ad on website and/or Beacon

The Municipal Advocate, the MMA’s quarterly magazine, presents in-depth articles about important and timely municipal issues, such as budgeting, technology, management, and legal issues. An emphasis is placed on innovative solutions and problem-solving strategies.

• See recent Municipal Advocate topics and articles

The MMA’s Massachusetts Municipal Directory is a comprehensive resource for and about local government in Massachusetts. The Directory provides the latest information on each of the state’s 351 cities and towns, as well as extensive state and federal government and school listings. The directory, which runs more than 220 pages, is published each year at the end of August.

The MMA’s Annual Meeting & Trade Show Program Book is a comprehensive guide to all the activities of the two-day event, held each January in Boston. The program book provides a complete schedule of events as well as details about speakers, workshops, meetings and awards programs. Every Annual Meeting & Trade Show attendee receives a copy.

The MMA released its first municipal “best practices” report at its Annual Meeting in January 2016, and Volume 2 was released in January 2017. The reports describe a wide range of strategies for improving efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of municipal services and the administration of municipal government. Topics range from municipal finance and human resources to standards for public works, economic development and environmental practices. For more information and to download the reports, visit www.mma.org/bestpractices.

In January 2016, the MMA’s Municipal Opioid Addiction and Overdose Prevention Task Force released a 16-page report intended to help local officials take action on the escalating opioid abuse epidemic that has claimed thousands of lives in recent years and is affecting virtually every community in Massachusetts. The report outlines 10 specific opportunities for local officials to lead the fight against the public health epidemic surrounding the abuse of prescription drugs and opioids.

• Download “An Obligation to Lead” (365K PDF)

The 250-page handbook presents a comprehensive view of the roles and responsibilities of selectmen in Massachusetts. The handbook is divided into 11 chapters, on topics such as administrative and regulatory responsibilities; financial management; human resources, personnel and labor relations; and land use and community development. The handbook covers topics such as complying with the open meeting and ethics laws, making appointments, holding public meetings and hearings, town meeting, Proposition 2½, insurance, tax rates, collective bargaining, legal representation, public safety, public works, and the role of a town manager or administrator. In 2020, the MMA converted the 2014 edition of the handbook to a digital form, downloadable from the MMA website. All selectmen/select board members may receive a link to download the handbook for free by contacting the MMA. The cost for MMA member communities to purchase the handbook is $25, and for nonmembers is $49. The link can be obtained by emailing Jessica Obasohan at the MMA at jobasohan@mma.org.

On behalf of the cities and towns of Massachusetts, the MMA has issued 10 Partnership Policies and is asking all of the candidates for governor and the Legislature to publicly embrace this powerful agenda. These policies cover a wide range of vital issues, reflecting the extraordinary breadth of shared responsibilities that are held by state and local leaders.

• Download 10 Partnership Policies to Build a Stronger Commonwealth