Show Notes
The majority of Massachusetts cities and towns have fewer than 12,000 residents — but they’re still responsible for delivering the same services as larger communities. Ryan McLane of Carlisle and Denise Dembkoski of Stow, leaders of Small Town Administrators of Massachusetts (STAM), talk about what it really takes to run a small town. From staffing challenges and tight budgets to navigating volunteer boards and complex governance structures, they unpack the unique challenges — and surprising advantages — of municipal leadership in smaller communities. They’ll also share how STAM helps town administrators learn from one another, and builds a pipeline of future municipal leaders to drive meaningful progress.
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What can Massachusetts cities and towns expect from the coming winter, and what could it mean for their energy budgets?
Massachusetts voters will face a record-tying nine initiative petitions on the statewide ballot this November. But three questions in particular could have serious implications for cities and towns: Question 4, which would allow same-day voter registration; Question 5, which would change the way the state’s revenue limit is calculated; and Question 7, which would create statewide zoning rules allowing single-family homes on lots as small as 5,000 square feet.
Employee wellness programs can improve morale and productivity, and lower absenteeism. They also make people feel better, and more connected, so they’re becoming an increasingly important part of how municipalities recruit, retain, and support their workforces. But what does effective workplace wellness actually look like, and how can communities make programs accessible and relevant to employees with very different jobs, schedules, and needs?
One challenge that is shared across the Commonwealth is preparing the next generation of municipal leaders. And one part of the solution is the partnership between the MMA and Suffolk University. In this episode, we hear from three members of the MMA-Suffolk Fellowship class about their experiences in local government and why they’re investing in their leadership skills: Robert Craig, special projects and grants manager in Rockport; Chad Hunter, harbormaster in Plymouth; and Thomas Dalton, communications and events manager in Melrose. Plus, MMA Deputy Executive Director Katie McCue explains why the MMA and Suffolk partnered back in 2011
This spring, 54 Massachusetts communities put Proposition 2 1⁄2 override questions before voters, making FY27 one of the most active years in history. But what do the numbers actually tell us? The MMA’s Adam Chapdelaine and John Ouellette dig into the data behind this year's override results, including why the number of questions has spiked recently, what communities are facing when costs outpace revenue growth, and how the results relate to the MMA's “Perfect Storm” report. They explore the difficult choices local leaders face; the role of transparency and communication in override campaigns; what happens when voters say no; and why school and public safety measures tend to perform better with voters. The bottom line: the “Perfect Storm” challenges remain as urgent as ever.