Six hundred councillors serve in 59 communities in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Municipal Councillors’ Association (est. 1981) provides opportunities for these officials to network and share ideas, pursue educational opportunities, meet with state leaders and subject-matter experts, and participate in the advocacy work of the MMA.

City councils and town councils act as the legislative branch in a city form of government, as well as its policymaking body. The council is the appropriating authority (passes the annual budget and other financial matters) and passes local legislation, known as ordinances. The council also considers the city’s goals, major projects, infrastructure improvements, community growth, land use, finances, and strategic planning. (Note: Several Massachusetts communities with a city form of government still refer to themselves as a town, and thus have a town council.)

Until recently, some cities used the term “board of aldermen” to identify their legislative body, though the responsibilities and duties were essentially the same as for city councils. The name gradually fell out of favor, and the last board of alderman in Massachusetts changed its name to a city council in 2019.

The Massachusetts Municipal Councillors’ Association is dedicated to promoting the role of city and town councillors as the local legislative and policy-making body through the development of practices that support efficient municipal government.

MMCA Districts

District 1: Agawam, Amherst, Chicopee, Easthampton, East Longmeadow, Greenfield, Holyoke, North Adams, Northampton, Palmer, Pittsfield, Springfield, West Springfield, Westfield

District 2: Fitchburg, Framingham, Gardner, Leominster, Marlborough, Southbridge, Worcester

District 3: Amesbury, Beverly, Gloucester, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Methuen, Newburyport, Peabody, Salem, Woburn

District 4: Attleboro, Barnstable, Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton, Fall River, Franklin, New Bedford, North Attleborough, Quincy, Randolph, Taunton, Weymouth

District 5: Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Newton, Revere, Somerville, Waltham, Watertown, Winthrop

How do I join?

If you are a city or town councillor in Massachusetts, you are already a member. Please join us at upcoming MMCA events.

Councillors' Association Officers

John McLaughlin
Councillor, Waltham
MMCA President
Brendan Sweeney
Councillor, Beverly
MMCA First Vice President
Lisa Blackmer
Councillor, North Adams
MMCA Second Vice President
Brad Riley
Councillor, Easthampton
MMCA District 1 Representative
Claire Freda
Councillor, Leominster
MMCA District 2 Representative
Afroz Khan
Councillor, Newburyport
MMCA District 3 Representative
Moises Rodrigues
Councillor, Brockton
MMCA District 4 Representative
Lisa Feltner
Councillor, Watertown
MMCA District 5 Representative

Contact us

Have a question about the Councillors’ Association, the role of councillors, or city government? Contact Senior Member Program Coordinator Denise Baker using this form.

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