Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Although we will no longer be checking vaccination status, the MMA is advising that all attendees stay up to date with the latest COVID vaccines for which they are eligible. In order to keep our meetings as safe as possible, we highly recommend all attendees take an at-home rapid antigen test prior to attending.
You are asked not to attend this meeting if you have any COVID symptoms or if a household member has tested positive for COVID, regardless of how you test.
The MMA encourages attendees to wear a mask, if that is your preference.
These safety protocols are subject to change based on the latest public health data and guidance.
Thursday, November 17
8:45-10 a.m.
Full Breakfast, Registration
9:45 a.m.
Conference Welcome
Bud Dunham, Town Manager, Sandwich, and MMMA President
Brianna Sunryd, Director of Communications and Civic Innovation, Amherst, and Program Committee Chair
10 a.m.
Climate Resiliency
Opening Speakers:
• Dr. Jon Woodruff, Professor of Natural Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst and Co-Director of the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center at UMass Amherst
Dr. Woodruff will discuss the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (NECASC) with examples of its work in the Commonwealth. NECASC is among nine regional centers in the US overseen by a joint federal/academic partnership that teams scientists with resource managers, municipalities and local communities to support adaptation to a changing climate.
• Dr. Steven Roof, Professor of Earth and Environmental Science, Hampshire College
Dr. Roof will focus on how the goals in the MA Decarbonization Roadmap and the Clean Energy Climate Protection Plan will affect cities and towns. Specifically, he will address the benefits of ceasing fossil fuel use, the scale of renewable energy development envisioned by the Roadmap, and the goals and benefits of permanently preserving at least 30% of undeveloped land and water across Massachusetts.
11 a.m.
Municipal Panel:
Stephanie Ciccarello, Director of Sustainability, Amherst
Carole Collins, Energy and Sustainability Director, Greenfield
Adam Chapdelaine, Deputy Director, Boston Green Ribbon Commission and Metropolitan Area Planning Commission President
Tracy Rogers, Senior Analyst, National Grid and former Mass. town administrator
Moderator: Keith Bergman, ICMA/MMMA Senior Advisor
What steps and initiatives are local governments taking now to mitigate the effects of climate change? Where can you find financial resources? The panel will share their experiences and allow time for questions and input from attendees.
12:30 p.m.
Lunch
1:30 p.m.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 2.0
Emily Torres-Cullinne, Director of Community Engagement, Metropolitan Area Planning Council
Jillian Harvey, DEI Director, Arlington
Pamela Young, DEI Director, Amherst
Moderator: Becca Meekins, Assistant Town Administrator, Northborough and MMMA DEI Committee Co-Chair
Earlier this year, the Massachusetts Municipal Diversity Equity & Inclusion Coalition (housed at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council) released its DEI Guide. The Guide is written by local government DEI practitioners and includes discussion on how to develop a DEI role or department and how to evaluate DEI in your community.
This session will begin with a Diversity and Inclusion 101 that will set the table for the rest of the afternoon, Harvey and Torres-Cullinane will then focus on the contents of the guide, including the common question of where to begin with DEI in your community, the role of the DEI Director, how to assess your community’s needs and how to best further your DEI goals.
This will be followed up by facilitated roundtable discussions where members will have the opportunity to share what successes and challenges they’re experiencing in their communities.
4-5:30 p.m.
Reception
The UMass School of Public Policy is co-sponsoring this reception with us and students from the SPP are invited to join us for networking.
Dinner is on your own. Please ask one of the Amherst locals for a recommendation, there are lots of great restaurants and pubs in the area!
Friday, November 18
8-9:45 a.m.
Full Breakfast
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Digital Engagement
Brianna Sunryd, Director of Communications and Civic Innovation, Amherst
Sean Dugan, Communications Director/Special Projects Coordinator, Lexington
10:30-11:30 a.m.
MMA Legislative Update
Dave Koffman, Senior Executive and MMA Legislative Director
Jackie Lavender Bird, MMA Senior Legislative Analyst
This will be an opportunity for an extended discussion on advocacy and policy issues.
11:30 a.m.
Boxed Lunches and Depart
Location
UMass Amherst
Contact
MMA Senior Member Services Coordinator Denise Baker, dbaker@mma.org
Massachusetts Municipal Management Association