The 351

What can Massachusetts cities and towns expect from the coming winter, and what could it mean for their energy budgets? Adam and John are joined by Brandon Fong, principal of the Commodities Group at Constellation (the MMA’s partner in its MunEnergy program), to talk about the forces shaping New England’s energy market. Fong explains how a Super El Niño could mean warmer-than-average temperatures...

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 allo...

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...

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 proj...

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? In this episode, 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 wh...

Local journalism has long been one of the pillars of healthy communities — informing residents, holding public officials accountable, and helping people understand the decisions that shape their daily lives. But as local newspapers continue to shrink or disappear, what does that mean for municipalities, and for democracy itself? In this episode, Dan Kennedy, journalism professor at Northeastern Un...

Across Massachusetts, cities and towns are facing one of their biggest workforce challenges in decades. Recruiting qualified employees is harder than ever, experienced staff are retiring, and employees' expectations around flexibility, career growth, and workplace culture continue to evolve. Massachusetts Municipal Human Resources association Chair Jen Breaker and Vice Chair Michael Taylor join th...

Municipal leaders are expected to solve problems, navigate public scrutiny, lead through uncertainty, and somehow avoid burning out along the way. But what if the key to becoming a better leader isn't working harder — it's learning when to step back? Leadership coach, podcast host, and author Chad Wright explains what he’s learned about the human side of public leadership — why burnout has become...

Municipal finance, which touches nearly every service residents rely on, is a specialized field. In this episode, Sean Cronin, Senior Deputy Commissioner of the Massachusetts Division of Local Services, discusses how his agency supports cities and towns across the Commonwealth as they manage public resources. Cronin explains the dual role of DLS as a regulatory agency and a technical assistance pa...

As misinformation spreads online, and residents expect instant updates, municipalities are under growing pressure to communicate clearly, effectively, and in a way that bolsters public trust. Some cities and towns have dedicated communications resources while others don’t, but they all face similar challenges – in an era increasingly dominated by social media and now AI. In this episode, we hear f...

Leadership is tough at any level, but working in local government presents a unique set of challenges – and requires specific skills. Executive coaches and leadership consultants Betsy and Anthony Neptune of Neptune Coaching have spent years helping municipal leaders fortify their skill set. They share why technical expertise doesn’t always translate into effective management, how municipal leader...

MMA Membership Director Jackie Lavender Bird has been a city councillor, mayoral chief of staff, and a former MMA legislative leader, which means she can share a 360-degree view of local government. In this episode, she shares what she’s hearing from municipal officials who are navigating today’s fiscal pressures and rapid technological change. Bird discusses the professional development, peer lea...

Massachusetts is home to some of the best health care in the world, but it’s also one of the most expensive places to get it. Sarah Iselin, President and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, unpacks what’s driving the surge in health care costs, and shares how insurers, providers, and policymakers are responding — and why none of the solutions come without trade-offs. The conversation d...

While safeguarding the public trust and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse is an essential role in the Commonwealth, Inspector General Jeff Shapiro is also on a mission to build relationships across the state and become a more collaborative, forward-looking partner for state agencies and cities and towns. He explains his “listening tour” approach — he has visited 100-plus communities so far to und...

Each year, the MMA recognizes cities and towns that have developed unique and creative projects and programs to increase the effectiveness of local government. In this episode, we hear from this year’s winners: Amherst’s Movement and Mentoring program, the Andover at Work photography exhibit, and the North Attleborough/YMCA food pantry. For Further Reading:  More about the 2026 winners:  https://w...

Jill Harvey is on a mission to help local leaders move beyond buzzwords and translate diversity, equity, and inclusion into real policies and actions. As the MMA’s first Chief Equity Officer, she shares the work she’s been doing across cities and towns in the state to help them realize how equity shows up in everyday decisions — from snow removal and trash collection to accessibility and community...

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 volunt...

As Massachusetts heads into the final stretch of its two-year legislative session, the stakes for cities and towns across the Commonwealth couldn’t be higher. MMA Legislative Director Dave Koffman helps unpack the key municipal priorities currently pending on Beacon Hill — from public education funding and local aid in the Fiscal 2027 state budget to long-term investments in roads, bridges, and cr...

From 1,400 attendees and 377 first-time participants to viral videos, fiery “Burning Questions,” and remarks from state and national leaders, this year’s Connect 351 event showcased both the scale and the spirit of local government in Massachusetts. In this episode, MMA Deputy Executive Director Katie McCue joins Adam and John to reflect on the moments, messages, and momentum from this year’s annu...

What if the solution for healing divisions in our nation started at the local level? UNITE CEO Tim Shriver and Dignity Index co-creator Tami Pyfer explain their hopeful, practical path to improving public discourse and strengthening our relationships and our country. In this episode, they join Adam and John at Connect 351 to talk through the importance of dignity, how they see the role of local le...

What are the real pressures facing local leaders in Massachusetts in 2026? In this episode, we speak with the outgoing president and incoming president of the MMA — Franklin Town Administrator Jaime Hellen and Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove, respectively — as they go in-depth about how local leaders are often torn in multiple directions and work to achieve success for their communities under the co...

What can Massachusetts leaders learn from someone with three and a half decades of public service experience? Kate Fitzpatrick spent 35 years with the Town of Needham, and is now the Northeast Regional Director for the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Throughout her career, she’s recognized the importance of navigating divisions, building consensus, and engaging with the co...

What does a lack of funding from the federal level mean for leaders of cities and towns? In this episode, we look beyond the national politics that are dominating the headlines and dive deeper into the real work of nonpartisan local government with Clarence Anthony, Executive Director of the National League of Cities. A former mayor himself, Clarence talks about the opportunities for strong leader...

As we look into 2026, municipalities across Massachusetts face an onslaught of challenges, from housing affordability to energy costs to maintaining the quality essential services that residents rely on every day. Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll highlights what the administration is doing to help communities tackle these issues, the importance of local governments and public service...

A combination of inflation-driven costs, diminishing state support for municipal services, and tight restrictions on local revenue-raising have created a “perfect storm” for local governments in Massachusetts. In this episode, hosts Adam and John talk about the MMA’s ground-breaking “Perfect Storm” report, which examines the fiscal challenges faced by the state’s 351 cities and towns, and the asso...