DLS ‘What’s New in Municipal Law’ seminars are Sept. 17 and 24

The Division of Local Services legal staff will offer the annual “What’s New in Municipal Law” seminars for local officials on Sept. 17 in Waltham and Sept. 24 in Holyoke.

The DLS will also offer virtual seminars that replicate the in-person ones, in four parts, on Sept. 28 through Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to noon each day.

The in-person seminars, which will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., will kick off with a general morning session highlighting recent legislation and court decisions pertaining to local government, including Appellate Tax Board cases, and DLS updates.

The afternoon will feature three concurrent workshops on:
• Treasurer/collector issues, including betterments, credit cards and reward points, obscure liens and related processes, third-party requests for shared bank accounts, federal tariff taxes and U.S. Postal Service changes
• Accounting issues, including betterments, credit cards and reward points; obscure liens and related processes; third-party requests for shared bank accounts; and federal tariff taxes and Postal Service changes
• Assessing issues, including the proposed Mass Ready Act (environmental bond bill), veteran exemptions including the implementation of the HERO Act, Postal Service changes, state-owned land commission, trust issues, solar panels on parsonages, legislative proposals, and the Servicemember Relief Act and Clause 56

The Waltham session will be held at the Bentley University Conference Center, and the Holyoke session will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House. Lunch will be served.

Local officials can register online for the in-person and virtual sessions. Space is limited, and registrations must be received by Sept. 10.

The registration fee is $100.

Questions can be directed to [email protected].

The Massachusetts Association Assessing Officers will grant four hours of continuing education credits to assessors attending this program.