Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
The Association of Town Finance Committees will hold its Annual Meeting on Oct. 26 at Bridgewater State University.
The day-long program will feature an opening speaker and two sets of educational workshops. Workshop topics include budgeting 101, reading and understanding financial statements, capital planning, revenue forecasting, credit rating significance, and community resilience building.
Members will have the opportunity to network over coffee in the morning and during lunch.
The ATFC is seeking new members to serve on its Governing Board, which will be elected at the meeting. Those who are interested in serving are asked to contact Denise Baker at the MMA.
• Driving and Walking Map (PDF)
• Driving, Walking and Parking written instructions (PDF)
8:15-9:30 a.m.
Registration, Breakfast and Networking
9:30-9:40 a.m.
President’s Welcome and Business Meeting
Ira Miller, Sharon Finance Committee
9:45-10:15 a.m.
Featured Speaker: John Robertson, MMA Legislative Director
10:30 a.m.-noon
Concurrent Workshops
1. Budgeting 101
This session will review national best practices in public budgeting as promoted by the Government Finance Officers Association through its Distinguished Budget Award program. This session is designed for new finance committee members, to provide a roadmap for building consensus by showing how best to organize and present your community’s financial information.
John Coderre, Town Administrator, Northborough
Moderator: John Trickey, Pelham
• Budgeting 101: A Guide to Best Practices (3M PDF)
2. Credit and Bond Rating
Danvers recently received a AAA rating from Standard & Poors. The town’s team will discuss some of the unique ways they were able to achieve this highest rating. Cinder McNerney, the financial advisor to Danvers, will supplement the conversation.
Steve Bartha, Town Manager, Danvers
Rodney Conley, Finance Director, Danvers
Moderator: Cinder McNerney, Swampscott
• Credit and Bond Rating, Town of Danvers (26M PDF)
3. Weathering the Storm: Improving Your Town’s Resiliency
What should finance committee members understand about their town’s ability to cope with the effects of climate change? This panel will provide an overview of the state’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant program. Speakers will describe the MVP planning process, focusing in particular on the need for a long-term financial strategy to fund priority projects.
Jennifer Clinton, Community Development Planner, Cape Cod Commission
Mary Monahan, Director of Business Development, Fuss & O’Neill
Moderator: Brian Boyle, Bolton
• Building Resilient Communities (2M PDF)
• Weathering the Storm: Improving Your Town’s Resiliency (14M PDF)
Noon
Luncheon
1-2:30 p.m.
Concurrent Workshops
1. Reading and Understanding Financial Statements
Every finance committee member needs to be able to read and understand their financial statements. Attendees may bring their own statements and follow along with the expert to learn the ins and outs of the statements.
Jim Powers, CPA, Partner, Powers & Sullivan
Moderator: Melinda Tarsi, Halifax
• Reading and Understanding Financial Statements (3M PDF)
2. Capital Planning
Developing and implementing a successful capital plan is on every finance committee’s wish list. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to develop, implement and maintain a capital plan, with practical guidance from Charlie Foskett, who has more than 20 years’ experience. The Technical Assistance Bureau offers a number of programs to assist finance committees with this effort, including a new Capital Planning online tool. Several other resources are available online, as well as financial consulting services that will be highlighted.
Charlie Foskett, Capital Planning Chair, Arlington
Theo Kalivas, Project Manager, Technical Assistance Bureau, Division of Local Services
Moderator: Mary McBride, Billerica
• Capital Planning in Arlington: A 32-Year Learning Process and Still Evolving (18M PDF)
• Capital Planning Concepts and Strategies (4M PDF)
3. Financial Trend Monitoring
Ever get into a debate with a resident regarding the financial condition of your community? Ever been asked how you define and measure sustainability when making decisions? This workshop will show you how to implement a system of financial indicators that will allow you to objectively define, measure and report your community’s Financial Condition. The workshop covers widely accepted national best practices that are designed to bring issues and opportunities to the attention of decision-makers through a systematic method of trend analysis. Learn to separate fact from opinion and focus fellow municipal leaders on important trends and emerging issues.
John Coderre, Town Administrator, Northborough
Moderator: Carolyn Brennan, Wilbraham
• Financial Trend Monitoring (3M PDF)
Location
Bridgewater State University
Contact
MMA Senior Member Services Coordinator Denise Baker
Association of Town Finance Committees