Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Local leaders from across Massachusetts will consider two resolutions during the MMA’s Annual Business Meeting on Jan. 20 in Boston — one on the state-local fiscal partnership and one on climate challenges.
MMA members will also hear from Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll.
The proposed “Resolution Supporting an Enduring Fiscal Partnership Between Cities and Towns and the Commonwealth in Fiscal 2025 and Beyond” was drafted by the MMA Fiscal Policy Committee this fall, and the proposed “Resolution Supporting a Local-State-Federal Partnership to Address Climate Change, Enhance Resilience, and Bolster Adaptation Initiatives” was drafted by the Policy Committee on Energy and the Environment.
Both drafts were approved by the MMA Board of Directors on Nov. 14.
The fiscal resolution lays the groundwork for an effective revenue-sharing program, identifying municipal needs in areas such as unrestricted aid, education and charter school finance, capital needs such as road maintenance and municipal and school facilities, water and wastewater systems, climate resilience, broadband and cyber preparedness.
The climate resolution identifies the many impacts communities face as severe weather events become more frequent, and supports key actions to strengthen and expand existing resiliency programs, strengthen decarbonization efforts, and adapt to the changing climate.
The MMA is welcoming member comments through Dec. 29 in order to review any input before the Annual Business Meeting. Municipal officials may submit any comments to the MMA’s Legislative Division at 3 Center Plaza, Suite 610, Boston, MA 02108 or dyi@mma.org.
The MMA’s Annual Business Meeting is a key component of the MMA Annual Meeting & Trade Show, which is held each January in Boston. The policy discussions at the business meeting help to guide the advocacy work of the MMA in the year ahead.
Voting at the business meeting
Voting at the Annual Business Meeting is open to all municipal members of the MMA through voting delegates as defined by the MMA’s bylaws.
Individuals eligible to vote at the meeting are:
• In the case of a city, its chief executive or a councillor designated in writing by the chief executive, or
• In the case of a town, the chair of the select board or town council, or another select board member or councillor designated in writing by the chair, or the manager designated in writing by such chair.
In early January, the MMA will be sending a letter about voting procedures to chief municipal officials in each community.
Those who will be voting on behalf of their community should visit the credentials table outside of the business meeting between 9 and 10 a.m. Only one voting card will be issued per member community.