Over the course of the past several years, the MMA’s five policy committees have participated in projects to identify and describe a number of “best practices” aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of local government in Massachusetts. The result is seven volumes of the MMA’s Best Practices series, available below.

Note: These files are all in PDF format.

Volume 7 – 2025

• Download full Best Practices report (1MB PDF)

MMA Policy Committee on Personnel and Labor Relations
• Municipal Employment and Demographic Data Collection

MMA Policy Committee on Personnel and Labor Relations
• Municipal Remote Work Policies

MMA Policy Committee on Personnel and Labor Relations
• Conduct and Civility of Public Officials

MMA Policy Committee on Energy and the Environment
• Municipal Solid Waste Diversion and Recycling Programs

MMA Policy Committee on Energy and the Environment
• Ensuring Compliance with Municipal Aggregation Guidelines, Strengthening Program Operations

Volume 6 – 2023

• Download full Best Practices report (226K PDF)

MMA Policy Committee on Public Works, Transportation and Public Utilities
• Prioritize Relationships, Communication, and Key Policies to Ensure Effective Infrastructure for Project Coordination

MMA Policy Committee on Municipal and Regional Administration
• Strategies for Choosing a Successful Meeting Format

MMA Policy Committee on Energy and the Environment
• Financing Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Stormwater Permit Work

Volume 5 – 2020

• Download full Best Practices report (260K PDF)

MMA Policy Committee on Personnel and Labor Relations
• Conduct and Civility of Public Officials
• Pathways to Municipal Government

MMA Policy Committee on Public Works, Transportation and Public Utilities
• Promote the Public Works Profession

MMA Policy Committee on Municipal and Regional Administration
• Local Process Changes to Ensure Sustainable Housing Production
• Economic Development Factors Within Municipal Control
• Strategies for Boosting Community Engagement

MMA Policy Committee on Energy and the Environment
• Municipal Exterior Lighting Conversions

Volume 4 – 2019

• Download full Best Practices report (182K PDF)

MMA Fiscal Policy Committee
• Capital Planning and Climate Change

MMA Policy Committee on Personnel and Labor Relations
• Human Resources Professionals
• Professional Development for Municipal Officials
• Wellness Programs for Municipal Employees

MMA Policy Committee on Public Works, Transportation and Public Utilities
• Develop a Sustainable Wood Debris Management Plan

MMA Policy Committee on Municipal and Regional Administration
• Considering Social Media Policies in the Context of the Open Meeting and Public Records Laws
• Update Accessory Dwelling Unit Bylaws
• Create a Policy Surrounding the Review and Negotiation of Applicants and Host Community Agreements

MMA Policy Committee on Energy and the Environment
• Municipal Investment in Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations
• Municipal Solid Waste Diversion Programs

Volume 3 – 2018

• Download full Best Practices report (182K PDF)

MMA Fiscal Policy Committee
• Tax Exemptions and Abatements for Economic Development Purposes

MMA Policy Committee on Public Works, Transportation and Public Utilities
• Emergency Management and Preparedness for Public Works

MMA Policy Committee on Municipal and Regional Administration
• Recreational Marijuana Strategy
• Age- and Dementia-Friendly Community Commitments

MMA Policy Committee on Energy and the Environment
• Municipal Climate Adaptation Plans

Volume 2 – 2017

• Download full Best Practices report (207K PDF)

MMA Fiscal Policy Committee
• Revenue and Expenditure Financial Forecasting
• Long-Term Debt Management

MMA Policy Committee on Personnel and Labor Relations
• Managing Health Insurance Plan Design to Reduce OPEB Liability
• Replacing Civil Service with Modern Personnel Systems to Manage Public Safety Departments

MMA Policy Committee on Public Works, Transportation and Public Utilities
• Transportation Infrastructure Asset Management
• Coordination of Infrastructure Work With Utility Companies

MMA Policy Committee on Municipal and Regional Administration
• Establish Formal Policies and Procedures for Managing Requests for Public Records

MMA Policy Committee on Energy and the Environment
• Stormwater Public Awareness and Public Education
• Municipal Energy Plans

Volume 1 – 2016

• Download full Best Practices report (312K PDF)

MMA Fiscal Policy Committee
• Municipal Reserves
• Capital Planning
• Budgeting for Snow and Ice Removal

MMA Policy Committee on Personnel and Labor Relations
• Managing Other Post-Employment Benefit (OPEB) Liabilities
• Adequate Preparation for Collective Bargaining Cases Referred to the Joint Labor-Management Committee
• Managing Unemployment Insurance Claims nd Costs

MMA Policy Committee on Public Works, Transportation and Public Utilities
• Pavement Management System Planning
• Protecting Municipal Vehicles from Storm Treatment Corrosives
• Participation in the National Joint Utilities Notification System (NJUNS)

MMA Policy Committee on Municipal and Regional Administration
• Economic Development Strategies
• Sharing Municipal Services

MMA Policy Committee on Energy and the Environment
• Integrated Water Resources Management Plans
• Solid Waste Management Master Plan
• Join a Stormwater Management Coalition