MMA.ORGAny city or town that is a member of the MMA may apply for the MMA’s Kenneth Pickard Municipal Innovation Award, which is presented each year at the MMA’s annual conference to recognize municipalities that have developed unique and creative projects and programs to increase the effectiveness of local government.
Innovation Awards give municipalities an opportunity to recognize the hard work of employees and citizens who have implemented innovative programs or projects, and to share unique ideas for solving problems or delivering services with other communities. Winning programs are featured in The Beacon and the MMA website, as well as during the MMA’s annual conference. The award is named in honor of the late Kenneth Pickard, who was the first executive secretary of the Massachusetts League of Cities and Towns, from 1969 to 1973.
What’s an innovative program? Any new and successful approach to a municipal challenge or service that could serve as a model for other communities. Eligible programs can be found in any area of local government. Judging criteria include: project originality or novelty; adaptability to other communities; cost effectiveness; efficiency or productivity; addressing a common community issue; and consumer/community satisfaction. The judges, selected by the MMA, have a strong background and interest in municipal issues. They may be former municipal officials, consultants or professors.
To enter, please email the nomination form signed by your community’s chief municipal official, along with your project summary sheet and any other information or materials to assist the judges in understanding the project to dyi@mma.org. Entries were due by Thursday, Oct. 31.
The following are winners of the MMA’s Pickard Innovation Award:
2025
Town of Acton
Clean Energy Coaching Program guides residents on home upgrades
After declaring a climate emergency in 2020 and publishing its Climate Action Plan in 2022, the town of Acton has been looking beyond Town Hall for ways to address a major source of emissions: residents’ homes.
Since February 2023, Acton’s Clean Energy Coaching Program has provided ongoing consultations to help residents navigate the complexities of energy upgrades including heat pumps, solar panels, and electric vehicles, among other improvements. The program has 13 volunteer clean energy coaches and three volunteer clean energy advocates, who work with the Acton Sustainability Office and receive training and support from Abode, an energy management and consulting service.
The program, now starting its third year, has shown results: As of this fall, the program received 211 requests for guidance from residents, and 75% of those surveyed reported taking steps to a clean-energy upgrade or purchase. And the program is not only energy-efficient, but cost-efficient: To date, the town has spent only about $11,000 on startup costs, training, website maintenance, and outreach materials.
Town of Andover
Town launches Andover Insider Town Hall text line
In its ongoing effort to engage and inform its residents, the town of Andover in January 2024 launched Andover Insider, a free text subscription service that allows officials to text news and announcements and solicit residents’ input on town programs. The service also allows residents to text Town Hall with comments and questions, which are answered by employees in the town manager’s office.
Through texts, the town engages residents in a conversational tone to update them on everything from budget hearings to power outages and road closures, and asks for their input on important town issues and concerns. The service is intended to foster communication, build trust and transparency, promote civic engagement, and provide Town Hall with more insight into residents’ needs and expectations.
Since launching the service, the town has used it to solicit input on a new town seal and participatory budgeting priorities; generate questions from residents for a pre-Town Meeting forum; build consensus around the town’s obligations under the MBTA Communities Act; help residents navigate the transition to automated trash and recycling services later this year; and promote a new public art installation downtown — a life-size yellow cow bearing Andover’s name.
Town of Southborough (with Boylston, Northborough and Westborough)
Four towns form regional public health partnership
Public health encompasses a wide array of services, and complex and evolving regulations, posing challenges for small communities that lack the staffing and expertise to carry out those varied duties.
In 2021, working with a Public Health Excellence Grant, the towns of Southborough, Boylston, Northborough and Westborough formed the Greater Boroughs Partnership for Health. While each town maintains its own public health staff, the partnership has allowed the communities to share nursing, health inspection, and epidemiology services.
The arrangement has allowed the towns to enhance and expand their public health services, and to reach previously underserved populations. As a result of the partnership, the four towns have produced a food resource guide and a guide to maternal, child and family health; organized large-scale vaccination clinics; created a home visit program for older residents in need of additional support; established monthly Narcan training sessions and provided free access to the overdose-reversing drug; and offered monthly CPR and automated external defibrillator training sessions, among other initiatives.
2024
Brewster hydration stations reduce plastic use
Lynn addresses food insecurity with one-stop hub
Wakefield, Melrose public health partnership expands to Stoneham
2023
Using data analysis, Foxborough limits firefighters’ PFAS exposure
Careful planning, community engagement shape Medfield State Hospital redevelopment
Stockbridge uses GPS mapping, local expertise to save old-growth trees
2022
Andover enhances online and in-person public engagement
Taunton program gives local business a STEP UP
Gardner interactive map updates residents about building projects
2021
Acton gives small businesses a boost
Randolph operationalizes its resiliency with committee, fund
Stoneham sets up command center to address COVID needs
2020
Beverly resolves downtown parking crunch without adding spaces
Andover and its employees team up to tackle unfunded liabilities
Concord uses social media to increase citizen participation
2019
Brewster, Chatham, Harwich and Orleans: first-of-its-kind state watershed permit for bay
Foxborough: Regional Hauler Day consolidates inspections for septage haulers
Taunton: Rent rebate program fills downtown vacancies
2018
Arlington: Property registry addresses commercial vacancies
Harwich: Municipal pet cemetery provides service while raising revenue
Orleans: Project uses shellfish to reduce water nitrogen levels
2017
Leominster: Creating an autism-friendly city and community
Salem: ‘Park Your Butts’ retools to improve cigarette waste recycling
Adams: Board unites artists, local government to spur creative economy
Scituate: Standard procedures, templates streamline emergency news dissemination
2016
Danvers: Incentive program reduces peak electricity use and costs
Everett: City-run center offers low-cost exercise classes and equipment
Leverett: Town builds high-speed fiber optic Internet network
2015
Chatham: Cloud provides access to meeting video archives
Deerfield, Sunderland, Whately: Emergency medical service improves response times
Springfield: After tornado, city promoted tree planting
2014
Arlington: ‘Visual Budget’ illuminates how taxes are spent
Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Chelmsford, Lowell: Communities collaborate on economic development
Melrose: ‘Our City’ exercise helped sharpen civic goals
2013
Braintree, Weymouth: Collaboration bears fruit in Landing district
‘HarborWalk’ reveals Gloucester’s riches
Medford broadens its ‘Go Green’ initiative
2012
Bedford, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Sudbury, Weston: Towns formed coalition to monitor affordable housing
Danvers: Summer program created for homeless kids
Leominster: Effort to revive historic district nears fruition
2011
Fairhaven: Anaerobic digestion to offset energy costs
Hamilton-Wenham: Organic waste pick-up program nears goal
Wilmington: Land purchase led to library bookstore
2010
Bedford: Coordination boosts parent-education series
Dedham: Partnership helps alleviate foreclosure pain
Medford: Wind turbine marks progress in sustainability campaign
2009
Dennis: Blog spreads awareness of planning process
Natick shapes strategic planning to fit town government
Worcester moved quickly to confront foreclosure crisis