Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Wednesday, May 28
1-4 p.m.
Registration, Ballroom Lobby
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Facilitated Roundtables, Ballroom
Members will lead the discussion at each of these tables. There will be two, 45-minute sessions; participants will choose a new table for the second session. This is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues while learning more about timely topics.
Roundtable topics:
Advocating for Your Community, Board Relationships, Budgeting, Collective Bargaining, Citizen Communications, Health Insurance Costs, Manager’s Physical and Mental Health, Proposition 2 1/2 Overrides
6-7 p.m.
Oyster Bed Tour
The Brewster Department of Natural Resources will lead an educational tour of the oyster beds adjacent to Ocean Edge.
Thursday, May 29
8:30-9:45 a.m.
Registration and Breakfast, Ballroom
9:30 a.m.
Conference Welcome
John Mangiaratti, Acton Town Manager and MMMA President
Building Your Leadership Skills
Chad Wright, Forward Partners
Noon-1 p.m.
Lunch
1-3:30 p.m.
Building Your Leadership Skills (continued)
8:30-10 p.m.
MMMA Trivia Nigh
Addie Nickerson
Gather after dinner for a fun night of trivia, refreshments and snacks.
Friday, May 30
8:15-9:30 a.m.
Breakfast, Ballroom
8:15-9:15 a.m.
Executive Committee Meeting, Capt. Bowen Room
9:15-9:30 a.m.
MMA Legislative Update, Ballroom
Adam Chapdelaine, Executive Director
9:30-10 a.m.
ICMA Update
Steve Bartha, ICMA Vice President
Mike Land, ICMA President-Elect
10-10:15 a.m.
MMMA Strategic Plan
Bernie Lynch, Community Paradigm Associates
10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions
Managing an Assistant or Deputy Manager (for Managers), Ballroom
This session will cover the skills and strategies necessary to effectively lead, support and collaborate with an Assistant or Deputy Town Manager. Participants will learn about best practices for creating clear expectations, building trust, delegating responsibilities, and fostering professional growth. The session will also cover common challenges in managing second-in-command roles and provide practical tools for setting expectations, giving helpful feedback, and allowing deputies to take initiative.
John Mangiaratti, Town Manager, Acton
Kate Fitzpatrick, Town Manger, Needham
Mike Land, City Manager, Coppell, TX and ICMA President-Elect
Being a Successful “Number Two”, Capt. Bowen Room
This session is intended to help Assistant and Deputy Managers thrive in their “Number Two” roles. You will learn from managers who have found the right balance — giving their deputies space to lead while offering career support. The session will cover how a strong partnership with your manager can boost your influence, help you take initiative, and lead with confidence, all while respecting boundaries.
Alex Magee, Deputy Town Manager/Finance Director, Arlington
Jen Breaker, Deputy Town Manager/Communications Director, Danvers
Vanessa Hale, Assistant Town Administrator, Southborough
11:15 a.m.-noon
Early Career Managers: Negotiating Your Contract, Ballroom
D. Moschos, Attorney, SederLaw and Senior MMMA Counsel
This session will focus on negotiating your second (or first!) contract, highlighting what managers should be including. Managers and assistants are invited.
Noon
Conference Wrap-up and Boxed Lunches
Location
Ocean's Edge Resort & Golf Club, Brewster
Contact
MMA Senior Member Program Coordinator Denise Baker
Registration
Register