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). Due to the COVID-19 emergency, the MMA has been publishing The Beacon as a PDF, available online for free. At this time, please do not order a paid subscription.

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

The ATFC’s Finance Committee Handbook covers the basic roles and responsibilities of finance committee members as well as complex issues. It is designed to assist all members of finance committees and provides useful information to other local officials who are involved in municipal finance and budget matters. In October 2021, the ATFC released the Finance Committee Handbook in digital form, downloadable from the MMA website. The new edition includes many updates that reflect passage of the Municipal Modernization Act in 2016. Many local, state and business financial experts have contributed to the Finance Committee Handbook. ATFC Past President Allan Tosti serves as the managing editor, and MMA Senior Member Services Coordinator Denise Baker serves as the coordinator for the book. All ATFC members may receive a link to download the handbook for free by contacting Denise Baker at the MMA at dbaker@mma.org.

The 250-page handbook presents a comprehensive view of the roles and responsibilities of select board members 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. The handbook is available in hard copy or as a searchable PDF. The cost for MMA member communities to purchase the handbook is $25; for nonmembers it is $49. To order a hard copy of the handbook, please use the order buttons below (includes an additional $5 for postage). To order a searchable PDF of the handbook, please email Amanda Brangwynne at the MMA at abrangwynne@mma.org. All selectmen/select board members may receive a digital copy of the handbook for free.

The Massachusetts Municipal Directory has been replaced by the Mass Municipal Data Hub on the MMA home page. The Data Hub includes information from the traditional directory plus a wide range of data related to cities and towns across Massachusetts — all searchable and sortable, and conveniently available to all. The Massachusetts Municipal Directory was last published in 2021-22, in PDF form.

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.

The Municipal Advocate magazine presented in-depth articles about important and timely municipal issues, with an emphasis on innovative solutions and problem-solving strategies. The MMA ceased publication of the magazine in spring 2021, but back issues remain available.

• See recent Municipal Advocate topics and articles
• Download the most recent Advocate on Climate Change, published February 2021 (31M PDF)

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)

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