Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Rural Affairs Director Anne Gobi will be the keynote speaker at the Massachusetts Select Board Association’s annual Rural and Western Massachusetts Conference on Saturday, April 27, in Northampton.
A former state senator representing communities in Worcester and Hampden counties, Gobi has a deep understanding of the challenges facing rural communities, as well as their unique needs. She was appointed to the newly created role by the Healey-Driscoll administration last June and works within the Executive Office of Economic Development.
Gobi will take questions following her presentation.
Following the keynote, a legislative panel focused on rural priorities will be led by Sen. Joanne Comerford, Franklin Regional Council of Governments Executive Director Linda Dunlavy, and MMA Legislative Analyst Adrienne Núñez.
The meeting agenda includes a session on creative strategies for affordable housing, featuring panelists from three regional housing organizations: Way Finders, Construct Berkshire, and Rural Development Inc.
Registration and breakfast will open at 8 a.m., and the program will begin at 8:30 and conclude at noon with a networking lunch.
The conference will be held at Hotel Northampton at 36 King St. in Northampton. The cost is $35.
More information, including a detailed agenda and registration link, will be available at www.mma.org and sent to MSA members in the coming weeks.
8-8:30 a.m.
Registration and Networking
8:30-8:40 a.m.
Opening Remarks and Overview
Andrew Hogeland, President, MSA
Gina-Louise Sciarra, Mayor, Northampton
Linda Dunlavy, Chair, Rural Policy Advisory Commission
8:40-9:25 a.m.
Keynote Presentation with the Office of Economic Development
Anne Gobi, Director of Rural Affairs
Mallory Sullivan, Rural Programs Manager
9:25-10:30 a.m.
Legislative Panel
Senator Joanne Comerford
Linda Dunlavy, Chair, Rural Policy Advisory Commission
Adrienne Núñez, Legislative Analyst, MMA
10:30-10:45 a.m.
Break
10:45 a.m.-noon
Creative Strategies for Affordable Housing
Keith Fairey, President and CEO, Way Finders
Gina Govoni, Executive Director, Rural Development Inc. & Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority
June Wolfe, Housing Director, Construct Berkshire
Moderator: Thomas Matuszko, Executive Director, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
Noon-1 p.m.
Networking Lunch
Location
Hotel Northampton, Northampton
Contact
MMA Member Program Coordinator Anneke Craig, acraig@mma.org
Massachusetts Select Board Association
Registration
Register