MIIA recognizes municipal leaders in risk management, wellness

Seven communities received MIIA awards on Jan. 24 during Connect 351 in Boston, including the town of Pepperell, which received an award for its work in wellness.

Each year, MIIA honors member communities that demonstrate outstanding and sustained commitment to risk management and wellness.

With nominations made by MIIA staff, the annual awards shine a light on members who don’t just meet requirements but go above and beyond by building cultures of safety and wellness across every department and leadership level.

MIIA presented this year’s awards during its Annual Business Meeting and breakfast during Connect 351 in Boston on Jan. 24.

Outstanding Commitment to Workplace Safety: Erving
Erving’s town administrator and employees demonstrate a strong dedication to workplace safety through consistent engagement in training and adherence to federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration and state Department of Labor Standards policies and procedures. The town’s ongoing safety practices — including providing appropriate personal protective equipment and tools — demonstrate its commitment to protecting both employees and residents. This shared dedication fosters a culture of accountability and proactive risk management across all departments.

Strong Commitment to Safety and Innovation: Lee
Lee’s cross-departmental safety committee ensures that safety remains a top priority across the schools, town, and county-wide operations. The Department of Public Works effectively manages and maintains town infrastructure through scheduled preventive maintenance and well-coordinated seasonal preparedness efforts. Lee is also a leader in technology implementation, maintaining strong systems across IT and water infrastructure. The schools use current generation building management systems with emergency features, allowing them to serve as designated emergency shelters for the town.

A Leader in Hosting Risk Management Training: Plymouth
Over the past three years, Plymouth has created a strong relationship between the town and schools through its townwide risk management committee. Plymouth Public Schools actively participate in safety committee meetings, addressing property, cyber, and workers’ compensation exposures contributing to the safety of town operations. Plymouth consistently engages in MIIA Rewards and grant programs and regularly hosts MIIA training sessions, not just for their employees but for MIIA members across the South Shore and Cape Cod.

Dedicated Commitment to Safety: Wilmington
Wilmington’s town leadership conducts quarterly safety committee meetings with representatives from all departments to review loss trends and develop preventive safety strategies, building maintenance plans, and training goals. The town consistently uses the MIIA Risk Management Grant program, participates in MIIA trainings, and maximizes the Rewards program. Wilmington’s consolidated facilities department oversees both school and municipal buildings, emphasizing formalized inspections, preventive maintenance, and long-term capital planning to ensure balanced townwide facility management.

Most Innovative Wellness Champion: Lisa Marrone, Chelmsford
In just 18 months, Human Resources Director Lisa Marrone has significantly expanded Chelmsford’s Wellness Program, resulting in substantial increases in employee participation. Last fall’s step challenge, for example, attracted 181 participants — double the typical enrollment. Her passion, creativity and dedication to employee wellness fosters a culture of wellness for both town and school staff. Marrone designs and implements fun, meaningful and engaging programs, ranging from department-specific to townwide initiatives, successfully engaging even hard-to-reach employees.

Best Overall Wellness Champion: Natalie Croteau, Littleton Public Schools
Natalie Croteau, technology systems coordinator for Littleton Public Schools, is an exemplary wellness champion. She actively participates in all wellness committee meetings, distributes notes, and joins all on-site wellness programs. Croteau spearheaded a chair massage program across all school sites and successfully applied for a wellness grant on behalf of the schools. She also volunteered to share her personal experience with a vendor partner program during a Working Well Together meeting, demonstrating a collaborative and engaged approach to wellness leadership.

Best Wellness Committee: Lee
Lee’s Wellness Committee consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to employee well-being and participation in MIIA wellness programs. Composed of representatives from both the school system and town departments, the committee actively integrates new initiatives and makes informed decisions based on employee feedback. The committee encourages broad program participation by maintaining a wellness bulletin board at Town Hall and allocating time during the school day to talk with staff about available wellness benefits, thereby creating a healthy and engaged workforce.

Best Wellness Newcomer: Pepperell
As a new member of the Health Benefits Trust, Pepperell’s Wellness Committee quickly established a department-wide culture of health and connection. The committee launched a range of initiatives, including art therapy and self-care workshops, onsite fitness opportunities, and walking challenges. The enthusiasm and leadership of Wellness Champions Tracie Looney and Staci Padovano inspired strong participation, strengthened cross-departmental collaboration, and helped build a vibrant culture of well-being.