MSA hosts training for newly elected members

The Massachusetts Select Board Association held its annual free training for newly elected members on June 7 in Devens.

The meeting covered key topics in municipal law and finance, as well as strategies for collaborating with colleagues in Town Hall and communicating with the public.

Attorney Janelle Austin, a shareholder at KP Law, led an introductory workshop on the open meeting and public records laws, offering an overview of how the laws affect select boards and best practices for compliance, including over social media and in remote meetings.

Jessica Sizer, a project manager at the Division of Local Services’ Financial Management Bureau and a town councillor in Palmer, led a 101-level session on municipal finance, which covered the budgeting process and schedule, key terms and definitions, and the role of select board members in overseeing their community’s finances.

“You have to think, ‘We’re in the driver’s seat, so where do we want this car to go?’” she said. “At the end of the day, it requires strong teamwork, and everybody buying into that team, in order to make the process go smoothly.”

The meeting also featured a panel discussion with select board veterans Beth Casavant of Shrewsbury and Jennifer Glass of Lincoln, as well as Shrewsbury Town Manager Kevin Mizikar. The trio discussed strategies for select board members to develop strong working relationships with their chief municipal officers and other elected and appointed leaders.

Mizikar recommended that newly elected members start by developing a strong knowledge base about their town’s governance structure and charter.

“Having a solid understanding of everyone’s roles and responsibilities is a fundamental need,” he said.

Casavant and Glass added that select board members should also get to know their town manager/administrator and fellow board members, as well as their communication styles.

“In your first year, it’s really all about those connections,” Casavant said. “If you’re patient with yourself, in your second and third years you’ll really find you’re able to start working on the goals that you originally ran on accomplishing.”

Easton Select Board Member Dottie Fulginiti led a session on public speaking and civility in local government, reflecting on her experience attending town meetings as a resident and local housing advocate before she ran for office.

“If we understand the way that the meeting works from the perspective of attendees,” she explained, “we’re going to be a bit more patient.”

Fulginiti shared best practices for hosting a successful public meeting, including selecting a space that accommodates the attendance, setting the tone for respectful dialogue, and involving the public in the problem-solving process.

The last session of the day featured Wellesley Public Information Officer Stephanie Hawkinson, who led an introductory workshop on public engagement. She used case studies to illustrate the three elements of a strong public engagement strategy: communication, education and action.

Williamstown Select Board Member Andy Hogeland, who’s president of the MSA, and MMA Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine adjourned the meeting with congratulations to attendees on their election and new positions.

“Local government doesn’t work without people like you who are willing to step up and dedicate your time,” Chapdelaine said.