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Workshops Annual Meeting Workshops Friday, Second Session
1. Code of Conduct: Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Personnel Association
Local officials sometimes find themselves in a dispute with one another or the public. Conflict is unavoidable, but when it affects the business of the community, or is perceived as doing so, it must be addressed. This workshop will explore the sources of conflict, steps to resolve it, and measures to keep it from recurring, as well as resources to draw on when all else fails.
PANELISTS
Jan Robbins Cox is the human resources director in Woburn.
Edward Mitnick is an attorney and executive director of Just Training Solutions.
Joshua Ostroff is a Natick selectman and president of the Massachusetts Municipal Association.
MODERATOR
Michelle Pizzi is the human resources director in Norwood.
Workshop eligible for MIIA Rewards points
• Code of Conduct: Can’t We All Just Get Along? (3.5MB PDF)
• Creating a Civil Dialogue (2MB PDF)
• Easton Statement of Values (45K PDF)
• Easton Statement of Ethics (66K PDF)
2. Film Production in Your Community
Presented by the Massachusetts Film Office
What are the benefits and challenges of having a studio film made in your community? This workshop will explore the process, from initial inquiry through production.
PANELISTS
Mark Carey is the commissioner of the Quincy Film Bureau.
Lisa Simmons is the communications director at the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, Sports & Film.
MODERATOR
Lisa Strout is the director of the Massachusetts Film Office.
3. Getting Your Head in the Clouds: Cloud Computing for Municipalities
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
What is cloud technology? How can cloud-based applications help your municipality manage data and communicate internally and externally with greater ease? In addition to answering these questions, panelists will describe the challenges of implementing cloud-based systems and offer advice for doing so in a way that fits within your budget.
PANELISTS
Adam Darack is the information technology manager in Edgartown.
David Davies is the information technology director at the Division of Local Services.
George Pazos is the MIS director in Melrose.
MODERATOR
Victor Nascimento is the MMA’s database coordinator.
4. Hurricanes, Blizzards, Tornadoes and Floods: Municipal Preparation, Response and Recovery
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
This workshop will highlight lessons learned from two notable natural disasters: the ice storm of December 2008 and the tornadoes that struck Monson and other communities last June. The session will also offer a perspective on natural disasters from the regional and federal points of view.
PANELISTS
Leon Gaumond is the town administrator in West Boylston.
Gretchen Neggars is the town administrator in Monson.
Steven White is homeland security program manager at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.
MODERATOR
Robert Marinelli is the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association’s risk control manager.
Workshop eligible for MIIA Rewards points
• Weather Presentation (1MB ZIP)
6. Labor Law Update
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
This workshop will update local officials about developments in labor and employment law over the past year. Significant court cases, legislative changes, and administrative decisions that affect municipal rights and obligations will be discussed.
PANELISTS
Phillip Collins is a founding partner of the law firm Collins, Loughran and Peloquin.
D.M. Moschos is the head of the labor and employment group at the law firm Mirick O’Connell.
MODERATOR
Katie Sagarin McCue is an MMA legislative analyst.
Workshop eligible for MIIA Rewards points
• MMA Labor Update (699K PDF)
7. Structure of Government Reform: Getting It Right and Getting It Done
Presented by the Department of Housing and Community Development
When cities and towns consider structural changes to make local government more efficient and nimble, vision is essential. But so is process. Panelists will review recent examples of structural changes and discuss how to balance vision with process as a means of building community support.
PANELISTS
Marilyn Contreas is the senior program and policy analyst in the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Stephen Rollins is the town manager in Hanover.
MODERATOR
Bernard Lynch is the city manager in Lowell.
• Significant Hanover Selectmen Votes Increasing Responsibilities of Town Administrator (92K PDF)
• Chronology of Significant Events in Hanover Town Government (64K PDF)
8. Sustainable Road Designs for Your Neighborhoods
Presented by the Massachusetts chapter of the American Planning Association and the Home Builders Association of Massachusetts
Traditional design of local roadways can impede efforts to incorporate environmental and efficiency concerns into planning and construction. This workshop will explore alternative design standards that make residential roadway development more environmentally sustainable.
PANELISTS
Mark Kablack is an attorney representing the Home Builders Association of Massachusetts.
Chris Kluchman is the town planner in Westford.
MODERATOR
Peter Lowitt is the land-use administrator in Devens.
9. What You Should Know About Working With Your Retirement Board
Presented by the Massachusetts Government Finance Officers Association
This workshop will provide local officials with practical information about the important relationship between cities and towns and their local or regional retirement boards. It will also feature a presentation on the impact of pension reform legislation, an update on OPEB funding, and other timely financial and actuarial issues.
PANELISTS
Ted Alexiades is the town administrator in Hingham.
Dan Sherman is an actuary with Buck Consultants.
MODERATOR
Mark Milne is the finance director in Barnstable.
Workshops Annual Meeting Workshops Friday, Second Session
Annual Meeting Workshops Friday, Second Session
1. Code of Conduct: Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Personnel Association
Local officials sometimes find themselves in a dispute with one another or the public. Conflict is unavoidable, but when it affects the business of the community, or is perceived as doing so, it must be addressed. This workshop will explore the sources of conflict, steps to resolve it, and measures to keep it from recurring, as well as resources to draw on when all else fails.
PANELISTS
Jan Robbins Cox is the human resources director in Woburn.
Edward Mitnick is an attorney and executive director of Just Training Solutions.
Joshua Ostroff is a Natick selectman and president of the Massachusetts Municipal Association.
MODERATOR
Michelle Pizzi is the human resources director in Norwood.
Workshop eligible for MIIA Rewards points
• Code of Conduct: Can’t We All Just Get Along? (3.5MB PDF)
• Creating a Civil Dialogue (2MB PDF)
• Easton Statement of Values (45K PDF)
• Easton Statement of Ethics (66K PDF)
2. Film Production in Your Community
Presented by the Massachusetts Film Office
What are the benefits and challenges of having a studio film made in your community? This workshop will explore the process, from initial inquiry through production.
PANELISTS
Mark Carey is the commissioner of the Quincy Film Bureau.
Lisa Simmons is the communications director at the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, Sports & Film.
MODERATOR
Lisa Strout is the director of the Massachusetts Film Office.
3. Getting Your Head in the Clouds: Cloud Computing for Municipalities
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
What is cloud technology? How can cloud-based applications help your municipality manage data and communicate internally and externally with greater ease? In addition to answering these questions, panelists will describe the challenges of implementing cloud-based systems and offer advice for doing so in a way that fits within your budget.
PANELISTS
Adam Darack is the information technology manager in Edgartown.
David Davies is the information technology director at the Division of Local Services.
George Pazos is the MIS director in Melrose.
MODERATOR
Victor Nascimento is the MMA’s database coordinator.
4. Hurricanes, Blizzards, Tornadoes and Floods: Municipal Preparation, Response and Recovery
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
This workshop will highlight lessons learned from two notable natural disasters: the ice storm of December 2008 and the tornadoes that struck Monson and other communities last June. The session will also offer a perspective on natural disasters from the regional and federal points of view.
PANELISTS
Leon Gaumond is the town administrator in West Boylston.
Gretchen Neggars is the town administrator in Monson.
Steven White is homeland security program manager at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.
MODERATOR
Robert Marinelli is the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association’s risk control manager.
Workshop eligible for MIIA Rewards points
• Weather Presentation (1MB ZIP)
5. Investments That Pay: LED Streetlights and Practical Energy Efficiency
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
LED streetlights are cleaner and cheaper to operate. So why aren’t more communities switching to this and other green technologies? What other steps can your community take to make progress in energy efficiency? And how can cities and towns make real strides in developing renewable energy? These are among the questions this workshop will explore.
PANELISTS
Eric Broadbent is a member of the Energy Advisory Committee in Harvard.
Michael Greis is a member of the volunteer organization Green Needham.
George Woodbury is a director of energy services at Siemens Corp.
MODERATOR
Frank Gorke is director of business development at the energy management company CleaResult.
• Building Sustainability Through Community Engagement (553.13K PDF)
• Energy Efficient Streetlights and Outdoor Lighting (8MB PDF)
• Harvard's Path To Efficiency and Sustainability (1 MB PDF)
6. Labor Law Update
Presented by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
This workshop will update local officials about developments in labor and employment law over the past year. Significant court cases, legislative changes, and administrative decisions that affect municipal rights and obligations will be discussed.
PANELISTS
Phillip Collins is a founding partner of the law firm Collins, Loughran and Peloquin.
D.M. Moschos is the head of the labor and employment group at the law firm Mirick O’Connell.
MODERATOR
Katie Sagarin McCue is an MMA legislative analyst.
Workshop eligible for MIIA Rewards points
• MMA Labor Update (699K PDF)
7. Structure of Government Reform: Getting It Right and Getting It Done
Presented by the Department of Housing and Community Development
When cities and towns consider structural changes to make local government more efficient and nimble, vision is essential. But so is process. Panelists will review recent examples of structural changes and discuss how to balance vision with process as a means of building community support.
PANELISTS
Marilyn Contreas is the senior program and policy analyst in the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Stephen Rollins is the town manager in Hanover.
MODERATOR
Bernard Lynch is the city manager in Lowell.
• Significant Hanover Selectmen Votes Increasing Responsibilities of Town Administrator (92K PDF)
• Chronology of Significant Events in Hanover Town Government (64K PDF)
8. Sustainable Road Designs for Your Neighborhoods
Presented by the Massachusetts chapter of the American Planning Association and the Home Builders Association of Massachusetts
Traditional design of local roadways can impede efforts to incorporate environmental and efficiency concerns into planning and construction. This workshop will explore alternative design standards that make residential roadway development more environmentally sustainable.
PANELISTS
Mark Kablack is an attorney representing the Home Builders Association of Massachusetts.
Chris Kluchman is the town planner in Westford.
MODERATOR
Peter Lowitt is the land-use administrator in Devens.
9. What You Should Know About Working With Your Retirement Board
Presented by the Massachusetts Government Finance Officers Association
This workshop will provide local officials with practical information about the important relationship between cities and towns and their local or regional retirement boards. It will also feature a presentation on the impact of pension reform legislation, an update on OPEB funding, and other timely financial and actuarial issues.
PANELISTS
Ted Alexiades is the town administrator in Hingham.
Dan Sherman is an actuary with Buck Consultants.
MODERATOR
Mark Milne is the finance director in Barnstable.
