MSA to hold free training for newly elected select board members

The Massachusetts Select Board Association will hold a free training session for newly elected select board members on Friday, June 12, in Devens.

The training will open with a panel discussion featuring seasoned select board members, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions.

Next, attorney Karis North, a partner at Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, will provide an overview of open meeting and public records laws and detail how they affect the work of select board members.

In the afternoon, Jessica Ferry and Jamie Farnum, project managers at the Division of Local Services’ Financial Management Resource Bureau, will lead an introductory workshop on municipal finance. The presenters will discuss the role of select boards in municipal finance, share budgeting and organizational best practices, and highlight resources available to municipalities through the DLS.

The training will conclude with a session on municipal labor and employment led by attorneys Jaime Kenny and Caitlin Morey of Clifford & Kenny. Attendees will learn about municipal labor law, including potential pitfalls and risks relevant to select board members, and then walk through a series of hypothetical scenarios.

Attendees will also have opportunities to network with colleagues from around the state.

Registration and breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. The program will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m. Lunch will be served.

The agenda is available on www.mma.org.

The training is targeted to newly elected select board members, but any select board member is welcome to attend for a refresher.

Newly elected select board members will receive a welcome letter via email and are also encouraged to share their contact information with the MMA (by email, to [email protected]) in order to receive information about MSA events.