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Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)
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Municipal Governance

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Municipal Legal Updates: Summer 2025

Municipal Legal Updates: Summer 2025

This webinar features a panel of attorneys with the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association addressing current issues. Topics include cannabis law and policy, tax title takings, recent accessory dwelling unit (ADU) bylaw decisions, and policies related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities. Recommended audience: chief municipal officials, all members
Employment LawsWebinarfreePublication Date: Aug 06, 2025
Empowering Town Boards and Committees: Best Practices for Select Boards

Empowering Town Boards and Committees: Best Practices for Select Boards

The Massachusetts Select Board Association discusses strategies for empowering town boards and committee members, including outreach and communication, interviewing and onboarding. Recommended audience: Select board members
Municipal GovernanceWebinarPublication Date: Mar 12, 2025
An Insider's Look at Town Meeting

An Insider's Look at Town Meeting

The Massachusetts Select Board Association held a virtual workshop with the Massachusetts Moderators Association on Feb. 25 to discuss select board roles and responsibilities relative to town meetings. Recommended audience: Select board members, town moderators
Municipal GovernanceWebinarPublication Date: Feb 25, 2025
Impacts of Immigration Executive Orders on Local Governments Webinar Resource: FAQ

Impacts of Immigration Executive Orders on Local Governments Webinar Resource: FAQ

From National League of Cities, International Municipal Lawyers Association, National Association of Counties, Jan. 31, 2025
Municipal GovernanceGuidancepdf - 211 KBPublication Date: Jan 31, 2025
Spring 2024 Legislative Briefing

Spring 2024 Legislative Briefing

This virtual briefing with the MMA's Legislative team reviews recent regulatory and legislative activity, including the state budget, Municipal Empowerment Act, PFAS regulations, road and bridge funding, housing bond bill, and more. Recommended audience: All members
Municipal GovernanceWebinarfreePublication Date: Mar 28, 2024
Forms of Government - Division of Local Services

Forms of Government - Division of Local Services

Provided by the Mass. Dept. of Revenue, Division of Local Services
Municipal GovernanceGuidancepdf - 111 KBPublication Date: Nov 29, 2023
Form of Government FAQs

Form of Government FAQs

This webinar addresses common questions asked during a charter review or government study process, including CEO titles and positions that may be under consideration for changing from elected to appointed.
Municipal GovernanceWebinarfreePublication Date: Nov 29, 2023
Fall 2023 MMA Legislative Briefing

Fall 2023 MMA Legislative Briefing

This briefing reviews the latest activity in the current legislative session, including the fiscal 2024 state budget, cannabis regulations, zoning compliance for MBTA communities, PFAS, and more.
Municipal GovernanceWebinarfreePublication Date: Nov 20, 2023
Municipal Conflict Management

Municipal Conflict Management

This webinar covers effective conflict management and de-escalation strategies that local officials can use to reduce tensions that can arise with constituents.
Municipal GovernanceWebinarfreePublication Date: Nov 02, 2022
Trends in Municipal Charter Change

Trends in Municipal Charter Change

A Massachusetts Select Board Association webinar on Oct. 14 covered trends in municipal charter and bylaw changes.
Municipal GovernanceWebinarPublication Date: Oct 14, 2022
Home Rule: Why You Should Care About It

Home Rule: Why You Should Care About It

Presented by Massachusetts Municipal Management Association
Municipal GovernanceWebinarPublication Date: Sep 17, 2021
Home Rule in Massachusetts: Who is Really in Charge?

Home Rule in Massachusetts: Who is Really in Charge?

Presentation from Angela Atchue, president of the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association and a city attorney in Boston, and Jim Timmins, city solicitor in Quincy at MMA Annual Meeting, Jan. 20, 2018
Municipal GovernancePresentationpdf - 3 MB
Campaign Finance Guide: Municipal Ballot Question Committees

Campaign Finance Guide: Municipal Ballot Question Committees

Published by the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, revised January 2015
Municipal GovernanceGuidancepdf - 234 KB
Campaign Finance Guide: Local Election Officials

Campaign Finance Guide: Local Election Officials

Published by the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, revised January 2015
Municipal Governancepdf - 254 KB
Campaign Finance Guide: Public Employees, Public Resources and Political Activity

Campaign Finance Guide: Public Employees, Public Resources and Political Activity

Published by the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, revised March 2014
Municipal GovernanceGuidancepdf - 219 KB
Campaign Finance Guide: Candidates for Municipal Office

Campaign Finance Guide: Candidates for Municipal Office

Published by the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, revised January 2016
Municipal GovernanceGuidancepdf - 326 KB
Facts about Annual Town Meetings in Massachusetts

Facts about Annual Town Meetings in Massachusetts

Compiled by the Massachusetts Municipal Association, spring 2013
Municipal Governancepdf - 40 KB
Chronology of Significant Events in Hanover Town Government

Chronology of Significant Events in Hanover Town Government

Town of Hanover, 1988-2011
Municipal Governancepdf - 64 KB
Significant Hanover Selectmen Votes Increasing Responsibilities of Town Administrator

Significant Hanover Selectmen Votes Increasing Responsibilities of Town Administrator

Town of Hanover, 1996-2010
Municipal Governancepdf - 89 KB
A Study on Structural Changes in Local Government in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

A Study on Structural Changes in Local Government in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Published by the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association’s Form of Government Committee, May 7, 2010
Municipal Governancepdf - 4 MB
The Charter Change Process in the Town of Topsfield

The Charter Change Process in the Town of Topsfield

Summary of process for creating town administrator position, updated 2007
Municipal Governancepdf - 91 KB
Several Options Exist for Changing Local Government Structure

Several Options Exist for Changing Local Government Structure

Article by Marilyn Contreas for the MMA’s Municipal Advocate magazine, Vol. 22, #2
Municipal Governancepdf - 160 KB
Procedures for Adopting or Revising Home Rule Charters

Procedures for Adopting or Revising Home Rule Charters

From Department of Housing and Community Development
Municipal Governancepdf - 667 KB
How to Go About a Charter Change

How to Go About a Charter Change

Report compiled by Town Meeting Review Committee in Tewksbury, 2006
Municipal Governancepdf - 1 MB
Charter Commission Procedures

Charter Commission Procedures

From Department of Housing and Community Development
Municipal Governancepdf - 142 KB
The Legal Structure of Home Rule in Massachusetts

The Legal Structure of Home Rule in Massachusetts

Chapter from Dispelling the Myth of Home Rule, published by Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston, 2006
Municipal Governancepdf - 77 KB
Home Rule Amendment

Home Rule Amendment

Article 89, Massachusetts Constitution
Municipal Governancepdf - 237 KB
The Charter Change Process in Groton

The Charter Change Process in Groton

Report prepared by Phoebe Walker for the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association; document includes town’s charter and Financial Management Review by Municipal Data Management and Technical Assistance Bureau, compiled April 5, 2009
Municipal Governancepdf - 868 KB
Methods for Changing Local Government Structure in Massachusetts

Methods for Changing Local Government Structure in Massachusetts

From Department of Housing and Community Development
Municipal Governancepdf - 95 KB
Massachusetts Communities Operating Under Home Rule Charters

Massachusetts Communities Operating Under Home Rule Charters

From Department of Housing and Community Development, revised May 2008
Municipal Governancepdf - 63 KB
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