Migrant shelter emergency discussed
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Vol. 49, No. 10 A Publication of the Massachusetts Municipal Association | www.mma.org November 2022
Migrant shelter emergency discussed
By John Ouellette said the flow of migrants to Massachu-
With a surge of migrants and an already setts continues, in some cases after they
overburdened emergency shelter system, have been bussed from the southern
state officials said they are having to border to places like Washington, D.C.,
place families in hotels and motels in and Chicago.
communities around the state on very Over the past calendar year, Massachu-
short notice and that the situation is ex- setts has received about 1,000 families
pected to worsen in the coming months. who are refugees, migrants or asylum
In a Zoom meeting hosted by the MMA seekers, said Health and Human Services
on Oct. 31 with mayors and town man- Secretary Marylou Sudders, and “that
agers, 14 state officials, including Lt. Gov. pace will probably double” over the next
year to 18 months due to the situation at Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito speaks with mayors
Karyn Polito, explained the emergency and town managers on Oct. 31 during a
situation and sought feedback and co- the U.S. southern border and the unrest
in other nations. Zoom meeting about a surge of migrants
operation from cities and towns as they and the already overburdened emergency
refine their plans. In a growing number of cases, Sudders shelter system.
“At this point we’re seeing a capacity said, migrants are going to hospital
strain on our shelter system,” Polito said, emergency rooms in search of shelter. because residents have been taking lon-
“and so emergency activation of space is She said one Boston medical center saw ger to exit the system due to the state’s
needed to address the incoming flow of more than 70 families during the month tight housing market, according to Adam
immigrants.” of October, primarily from Haiti but also Schaffer, deputy director of the Division
from the Dominican Republic, Ecuador of Housing Stabilization.
The surprise arrival of 50 Venezuelan and Colombia.
migrants on Martha’s Vineyard grabbed “We have exhausted all of our existing
national headlines in September, but Meanwhile, the state’s 3,600 family
shelter units are all occupied, in part n MIGRANT SHELTER continued on 14
they weren’t the only ones. State officials
Inside Annual Meeting planning continues
By John Ouellette
Planning continues for the
Auditor highlights mandate 44th MMA Annual Meeting
funding shortfalls......................3 & Trade Show, which will be
held in person on Jan. 20 and
MMA holds fall Legislative 21, 2023, at the Hynes Con-
Breakfast Meetings.................. 4 vention Center and Sheraton
Hotel in Boston.
Annual Meeting closing The largest conference for
speakers announced................5 municipal officials in the
state features: Members can keep up to date on the most pressing
municipal issues by attending the MMA Annual
Administration launches local • A range of informative and Meeting’s 18 workshops.
finance training program....... 6 timely workshops
• Compelling and inspiring speakers “Do whatever you can to be part of this
Around the Commonwealth............ 18
• Member business meetings and fantastic event!” said Westwood Select
People.................................................24 important policy discussions Board Member Michael Walsh, president
of the Massachusetts Select Board
Classifieds..........................................28 • A lively Trade Show featuring the latest Association. “You won’t be disappointed.”
services and solutions for cities and
Calendar............................................ 34
towns
n ANNUAL MEETING continued on 23
• Countless networking opportunities
2022 MMA
Board of Directors Executive Director’s Report
The MMA Board of Directors holds regular
meetings in Boston, followed by a meeting of Local leaders are trusted and appreciated
the Local Government Advisory Commission
with the administration. For information on At a time when cities and towns The source of the most recent
the board’s activities, call the office of MMA are dealing with a stubborn pan- affirmation of local government
Executive Director Geoff Beckwith at demic that continues to threat- is the Pew Research Center. This
617-426-7272. en public health, near-record highly respected organization
inflation that is punching holes describes itself as a “nonparti-
Executive Committee in local budgets, and increasing san fact tank that informs the
Ruthanne Fuller, MMA President polarization that is fostering a public about the issues, atti-
Mayor, Newton
lack of civility among residents, tudes and trends shaping the
Jill Hai, MMA Vice President By Geoffrey
Select Board, Lexington it’s important to recognize good world.” They do not take policy
news when it comes in, especial- Beckwith positions on issues. Rather,
Brian Arrigo, MMaA First Vice President
Mayor, Revere ly when it reaffirms the extraor- they use neutral public opinion
Steve Bartha, MMMA First Vice President dinary work of our municipalities. polls, applied research, and data-driven
Town Manager, Danvers The good news I’m amplifying here: analysis to explore key questions and
Lisa Blackmer, MMCA President across America, cities and towns and understand what is driving the public
Councillor, North Adams
local leaders continue to be widely and decision-makers to the positions
George “Bud” Dunham, MMMA President
appreciated and trusted by residents, they hold.
Town Manager, Sandwich
Andrew Hogeland, MSA First Vice President and are viewed more favorably than any This past June, Pew issued an analysis
Select Board, Williamstown other level of government. This isn’t tracking public sentiment regarding
Samantha Squailia, MMCA First Vice mere speculation, it has been demon- local, state and federal government,
President strated time and again through rigorous looking at the percentage of people who
Councillor, Fitchburg analysis. have favorable or unfavorable views
Melinda Tarsi, ATFC First Vice President regarding each. In May 2022, 66% of
Industrial and Development Committee, Mansfield And here in Massachusetts, every level
of government — federal, state, and Americans had a favorable view of their
John Trickey, ATFC President local government, 54% had a favorable
Finance Committee, Pelham local — is viewed more favorably than in
other parts of the nation. There’s a good view of their state government, and just
Linda Tyer, MMaA President
Mayor, Pittsfield reason for this: Massachusetts leaders 32% had a favorable view of the federal
Michael Walsh, MSA President work effectively across party lines and government. Just 33% of Americans
Select Board Member, Westwood collaborate across roles and jurisdictions had an unfavorable view of local govern-
Geoff Beckwith (non-voting) much more effectively than most of our ment, while 45% had a low view of their
MMA Executive Director counterparts in other regions. While state, and 66% had an unfavorable opin-
this column is about local government, ion regarding the federal government.
Ted Bettencourt, Mayor, Peabody our governor, lieutenant governor, con- Before we dive deeper, please do not
Lisa Braccio, Selectman, Southborough stitutional officers, senators, represen- focus on the negative here. This is good
Denise Casey, Deputy Town Manager, tatives, and federal lawmakers should news, especially because we know that
North Andover take great pride in the level of trust and the favorability sentiment is significant-
Lisa Feltner, Councillor, Watertown appreciation that residents hold for ly higher in Massachusetts by looking
Ralph Figy, Councillor, Westfield them, too. at recent opinion polls in our state, and
Andrew Flanagan, Town Manager, Andover
Claire Freda, Councillor, Leominster n DIRECTOR’S REPORT continued on 21
Scott Galvin, Mayor, Woburn
TheBeacon
Christine Hoyt, Selectman, Adams
Afroz Khan, Councillor, Newburyport
Nicole LaChapelle, Mayor, Easthampton
November 2022 | Volume 49, Number 10 TheBeacon (ISSN 0199-235X) is published
Andrea Llamas, Town Administrator, Northfield
Copyright © 2022, Massachusetts Municipal Association monthly, except for a combined July-August issue,
John Mangiaratti, Town Manager, Acton
John McLaughlin, Councillor, Waltham Manager of Communications & by the Massachusetts Municipal Association,
Publications & Digital Membership Director 3 Center Plaza, Suite 610, Boston, MA 02108.
Debra Roberts, Select Board, Stoughton Communications Candace Pierce
Moises Rodrigues, Councillor, Brockton John Ouellette The MMA is composed of the Massachusetts
Publisher
Alan Slavin, Selectman, Wareham Associate Editor Geoffrey Beckwith Selectmen’s Association, the Massachusetts
Peter Spellios, Select Board, Swampscott Jennifer Kavanaugh Mayors’ Association, the Massachusetts Municipal
Design
Kevin Sweet, Town Administrator, Wrentham Digital Communications Full Circle Design Management Association, the Massachusetts
Arthur Vigeant, Mayor, Marlborough Specialist Municipal Councillors’ Association, and the
Kristi Williams, Town Manager, Westborough Meredith Gabrilska Association of Town Finance Committees.
Michelle Wu, Mayor, Boston Subscription rate for TheBeacon is $36 per
Massachusetts Municipal Association
Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association year. An $18 subscription fee is included in dues
3 Center Plaza, Suite 610, Boston, MA 02108 payments for members.
617-426-7272 • www.mma.org We encourage readers to send comments, story ideas,
Twitter and Facebook: @massmunicipal news items, and events notices to editor@mma.org.
2 • The Beacon • November 2022
Agreement reached on economic development bill
By Jackie Lavender Bird the Last Mile Infrastructure Grant
Looking to close the books on fiscal program
2022 and advance a long-awaited • $304.5 million for housing programs,
economic development package, House including $100 million for the
and Senate leaders announced on Nov. 2 Affordable Housing Trust Fund,
that an agreement has been reached on $100 million for a workforce housing
a $3.7 billion spending bill. initiative, and $100 million for the
The bill, released later that day, includes CommonWealth Builders program
investments in small businesses and • $20 million for migrant and refugee
communities, broadband, housing pro- Ronald Mariano Karen Spilka programs to streamline access to
duction, relief for rising energy costs, housing, shelter, food, health care and
and assistance for the MBTA. legal services (a topic discussed in an
Legislators had tabled a $4 billion Economic development bills passed MMA webinar on Oct. 31)
economic development bill as the by the House and Senate earlier this • $115 million for the Clean Water
formal legislative session ended on July year incorporated roughly $1.2 billion Trust Fund, which helps communities
31, when it came to light that a large in state bonding authorizations, but finance significant, complex and
portion of the state’s fiscal 2022 budget borrowing provisions require roll call urgent water projects
surplus would need to be returned to votes, which are not an option during
the current informal session. As a result, • $20 million for the Community
taxpayers under a 1986 law known as
bond-supported programs, such as Preservation Trust Fund, which would
Chapter 62F. In September, the state
MassWorks, were not included in the increase the state’s match from an
auditor certified that nearly $3 billion
current bill. estimated 35% to 43%, approximately
needed to be returned to taxpayers un-
the same level as in fiscal 2022.
der 62F, which left a surplus of approxi- The bill does include major investments
mately $3.17 billion. strongly supported by the MMA, includ- The CPA item would benefit the 187 CPA
ing in the areas of broadband, housing, communities that have adopted higher
Legislators added $510 million in state
water infrastructure, and the Communi- local property taxes to address environ-
American Rescue Plan Act funds to the
ty Preservation Trust Fund. mental and housing challenges.
remaining state surplus to fund the
economic development and supplemen- The bill includes: The House and Senate were both sched-
tal budget bill. The bill would expend uled to meet in informal session on Nov.
the remainder of the surplus and leave • $50 million for the Broadband 3, when it is widely expected that the
$1.75 billion remaining in state Ameri- Innovation Fund and an additional bill will emerge, be passed, and sent to
can Rescue Plan Act funds. $25 million for a reserve for broadband the governor. ●
infrastructure investments, including
Auditor’s report highlights importance of full funding of mandates
A report released by State Auditor Su- Partnerships” — also detailed inadequa-
zanne Bump on Oct. 13 identifies signifi- cies in existing formula distributions that
cant shortfalls in funding for state-man- result in glaring, unequal distributions to
dated services and programs that cities similarly situated communities.
and towns must provide as required by a “Every year, members of the Legislature
variety of state laws. file bills asking for an examination of
While applauding the new funding for unfunded mandates — what they are,
educational programs mandated by the how much they cost municipalities, and
Legislature in the current state budget, what can be done about them?,” Auditor
the report compared state appropriations Bump said in a statement. “This report,
to actual municipal spending on existing along with the published reviews of man-
mandated programs and identified a dates passed by the Legislature which
shortfall of $1.2 billion. this office produces every five years,
Areas of concern include school trans- provides them with the information they
portation, aid to education, veterans’ need to address the burden of unfunded
benefits, and other essential, long-stand- mandates. The solution … is to prioritize
ing services in cities and towns. funding of them. It is a simple solution,
but it may require some hard choices.”
The municipal impact study from the
State Auditor’s Division of Local Man- Due to local revenue constraints set by
dates — titled “Fulfilling the Promise of Proposition 2½, state assistance is in-
Local Aid by Strengthening State-Local n AUDITOR’S REPORT continued on 22
November 2022 • The Beacon • 3
MMA holds 6 Legislative Breakfast Meetings
By Daniel Yi
On three Fridays in October, legislators
and local officials from across Massachu-
setts gathered for a series of six MMA
Legislative Breakfast Meetings, held
in-person for the first time since early
2020.
The meetings, held each spring and fall,
provide an opportunity for local officials
to engage in informal discussions with
legislators, fellow local officials, and
MMA staff. Reps. Smitty Pignatelli (left), John Rep. Thomas Walsh talks to local officials
Barrett III (middle) and Paul Mark during an MMA Legislative Breakfast
Discussions centered on an $11 billion address local leaders during an MMA Meeting on Oct. 14 in Lynn.
infrastructure law known as MassTRAC, Legislative Breakfast Meeting on Oct. 21
the Chapter 90 program for local roads in Lenox.
and bridge maintenance, the recently legislators registered for the meetings,
signed climate and clean energy law, a including 23 state representatives, 12
pending economic development bill, and activity from the 2021-2022 legisla- state senators, and a number of legisla-
the state’s unspent American Rescue tive session. This was followed by an tive staff members.
Plan Act funds. Additional topics in- open-ended opportunity for legislators The MMA has hosted 220 breakfast
cluded new zoning guidelines for MBTA and local officials to discuss the many meetings in 191 communities since
communities, remote town meetings, issues that their communities are facing, 2007, with a goal of hosting a meeting
cost-of-living allowances for municipal as well as the fact that a new adminis- in each of the state’s 351 cities and
retirees, PFAS, and the cannabis law tration will be taking office in January. towns. If your community has not host-
signed this past summer. Six communities hosted the fall meet- ed a Legislative Breakfast but would be
The program kicked off with a legisla- ings: Amherst and Lynn on Oct. 14, interested in doing so, contact Daniel Yi
tive update from MMA Legislative staff Lenox and Lexington on Oct. 21, at dyi@mma.org or 617-426-7272, ext.
on the fiscal 2023 budget, a $5 billion and Easton and Gardner on Oct. 28. 125. ●
general government bond law, and other More than 280 municipal officials and
MMA seeks input on roadway needs through Chapter 90 Survey
The MMA will soon be sending its bien-
nial Chapter 90 Survey to chief munic- Data gathered through
ipal, public works, and highway depart-
ment officials in all 351 Massachusetts the Chapter 90 survey
cities and towns. provides concrete data
The survey asks communities for their to help inform legislators
assessment of what it would cost to
maintain their local roads in a state of and the public through
good repair. educational materials,
The MMA and local officials across the public statements,
state recognize the Chapter 90 pro-
gram as a critical resource to ensure
and testimony to The MMA seeks responses to its
statewide survey about Chapter 90
the health of local economies and the the Legislature and road work funding needs.
well-being of Massachusetts cities and state transportation
towns. Up-to-date information about
local road and bridge maintenance administrators. ensure the most accurate picture of local
needs is key to the MMA’s transporta- roadway conditions and resource needs.
tion funding advocacy efforts, particu-
larly with a new administration taking educational materials, public state- For more information or a link to the
office and a new legislative session set to ments, and testimony to the Legislature survey, contact Project and Research
begin in January. and state transportation administrators. Assistant Daniel Yi at dyi@mma.org. ●
Data gathered through the Chapter 90 The MMA is urging local officials to
survey provides concrete data to help in- complete the survey and share it within
form legislators and the public through their professional networks. The MMA
seeks as many responses as possible to
4 • The Beacon • November 2022
Anthony, Ott to be Annual Meeting closing speakers
The leaders of the National League of policy, from Florida Atlantic University.
Cities and the International City/County In 2020, he received the National Forum
Management Association will participate for Black Public Administrators Marks of
in a fireside chat about diversity, equity Excellence Award.
and inclusion during the closing session of Ott has been leading the ICMA for the
the MMA Annual Meeting & Trade Show past six years. Previously, he served for al-
on Saturday, Jan. 21. most nine years as city manager of Austin,
Clarence Anthony, CEO and executive Texas; six years as assistant city manager
director of the NLC, and Marc Ott, CEO in Fort Worth, Texas; four years as city ad-
and executive director of the ICMA, will ministrator in Rochester Hills, Michigan;
Clarence Anthony Marc Ott
talk about the challenges and opportu- seven years as assistant city manager, dep-
nities for building diverse, equitable and uty city manager and then city manager
inclusive communities. As Black men, they founding group of Palm Beach County in Kalamazoo, Michigan; and eight years
will also offer personal insights from their Black Elected Officials and Discover Palm in leadership and support roles in Grand
experiences addressing racism in their Beach County, the tourism development Rapids and in Jackson, Michigan.
work and lives. council. He served as first vice president of
the International Union of Local Author- Ott has a bachelor’s degree in manage-
The speakers will be able to draw from ities. ment, with a concentration in economics,
their extensive backgrounds in leading and a master’s degree in public adminis-
communities at the ground level and from Following his time as mayor, Anthony rep- tration, both from Oakland University
their time advocating for local govern- resented local governments as founding in Michigan. He has also completed the
ments and officials at the national and treasurer and interim manager of United Senior Executives Program in State and
international levels. Cities and Local Governments. He later Local Government at the Harvard Kenne-
founded Anthony Government Solutions, dy School.
Anthony has been the NLC’s executive a firm focused on strategic visioning, poli-
director since 2013. He previously served cy development and management restruc- Ott has won numerous awards for his
for 24 years as the mayor of South Bay, turing for government and private sector service, including the ICMA’s Award for
Florida, having been first elected at the organizations. Anthony has a master’s Career Excellence. The National Forum for
age of 24. He became president of the degree in public administration, with a Black Public Administrators has honored
Florida League of Cities in 1995, and of specialization in city growth management him with a Marks of Excellence Award and
the NLC in 1999. He was also part of the its 2020 Hall of Fame Award. ●
DHCD makes revisions to final guidelines for MBTA communities
By Ali DiMatteo can be feasibly developed at those
The Department of Housing and income levels
Community Development has released • Enable communities to require that
revisions to its Compliance Guidelines more than 10% (but no more than
for Multi-Family Zoning Districts Under 20%) of the units in a project be
Section 3A of the Zoning Act for MBTA affordable provided that a variety
communities. of multifamily housing types can be
The revisions, issued on Oct. 21, come in feasibly developed at that percentage
response to a number of MBTA com- • Require that economic feasibility be
munities voicing concerns about their demonstrated for all inclusionary
own approved inclusionary zoning and zoning requirements above the 10%
The state has revised its multifamily
affordability requirements, which were level, including those that pre-date the zoning guidelines for communities served
incompatible with the final guidelines guidelines by the MBTA.
that were issued in August.
• Allow an exception to the 20% cap on
The revisions: affordable units for communities that
have already approved and adopted the statute — or risk a loss of eligibility
• Eliminate the requirement that
40R “smart growth” zoning districts for funding from the state’s MassWorks
affordable units be eligible for program, Housing Choice Initiative, or
listing on the DHCD’s Subsidized Enacted as part of the 2021 economic Local Capital Projects Fund.
Housing Inventory, thereby allowing development law, Section 3A of Chapter
communities to include requirements 40A (the Zoning Act) requires the state’s All MBTA communities must achieve at
of workforce housing units 175 MBTA communities to have at least least interim compliance — by submit-
one zoning district of reasonable size ting an action plan for full compliance
• Enable communities to set income — by Jan. 31, 2023. ●
limits for affordable units below 80% near a transit station in which multi-
of area median income, provided that family housing is permitted as of right
a variety of multifamily housing types — and meet other criteria set forth in
November 2022 • The Beacon • 5
Local Finance Commonwealth Fellowship launched
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito has announced a strong competitive labor markets, and
new partnership between the Division the requirement of specialized knowl-
of Local Services and the Common- edge, Polito said. It is critical, however,
wealth’s community colleges intended to have highly functioning municipali-
to address an urgent need for municipal ties across the Commonwealth, which
finance professionals. requires strong financial management.
The Local Finance Commonwealth In 2017-2018, the Baker-Polito admin-
Fellowship will give up to 30 community istration convened a task force charged
college students the opportunity of a with addressing the local government
paid fellowship that will provide both workforce skills gap, with the MMA Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announces a new
career preparation — via a training pro- participating on the task force. Polito local finance fellowship program during
gram managed by the DLS and support- said a continued strong partnership be- the annual Municipal Conference in
Worcester on Sept. 29. (Photo courte-
ed by both the Massachusetts Collectors tween the state and municipalities and
sy of Joshua Qualls/Governor’s Press
and Treasurers Association and the the deployment of additional strategies Office)
Massachusetts Municipal Auditors’ is required to meet the tremendous de-
and Accountants’ Association — and mand for qualified, trained and diverse
a work-based learning experience via municipal employees. The Local Finance Commonwealth
partnerships with cities and towns who Fellowship is made possible by funding
For the new fellowship program to reach from the Community Compact program,
will serve as host communities. its potential, municipal leaders will which has been consistently supported
The fellowship model will enable need to help by hosting fellows in their by the Legislature.
students who are currently enrolled in communities.
finance or accounting programs to go More details will be posted at www.
Fellows will undertake their extensive Mass.gov/DLS as they become available.
through an extensive training program training in June, followed by a work-
and then take those skills to a munici- For more information, contact DLS Se-
based learning experience in cities and nior Deputy Commissioner Sean Cronin
pality, where they will continue to learn towns during the summer. Host com-
about municipal finance while also help- at croninse@dor.state.ma.us.
munities will be expected to introduce
ing short-staffed city and town halls. fellows to each of the finance offices, Also in an effort to address the fi-
Polito announced the new program on thereby showing how each works as part nance skills gap in city and town halls,
Sept. 29 in Worcester at the annual of the core financial management team. the MMA and Suffolk University in
Municipal Conference co-sponsored by 2019 launched the Municipal Finance
In some cases, fellows will have multi- Management Seminar, which provides
the Division of Local Services and the ple host communities, which will allow
Massachusetts Association of Regional an overview of Massachusetts munic-
them to participate in different settings ipal finance, including the operational
Planning Agencies. She called the collab- and make it easier for host munici-
orative fellowship program “a win-win” aspects of finance structure, systems
palities to fulfill the responsibility of and processes in Massachusetts cities
that will help grow the pipeline of future managing the fellows and showing them
municipal finance professionals. and towns. The seminar is held three
how rewarding a local finance career times per year over the course of five
Municipal finance offices are facing a choice can be. Fridays, covering nine topics in munici-
workforce skills gap due to retirements, pal finance. ●
Cybersecurity Awareness Training Grants offered
The Executive Office of Technology and manages the program, which is free from January through December.
Services and Security has launched the to participating organizations. • The Abbreviated Training Track Option
fourth Municipal Cybersecurity Aware- As a prerequisite for joining the pro- 1, a shortened version of the year-long
ness Training Grant Program, with gram, participating organizations must track, will take place from January
online applications due by Dec. 31. demonstrate leadership buy-in, obtain through May.
The program is open to municipalities, commitment from staff to participate in • The Abbreviated Training Track Option
public school districts, libraries, police the program, and assign a local coordi- 2, a shortened version of the year-long
departments, fire departments, water nator, who will collaborate with EOTSS track, will take place from September
districts, planning commissions, and to administer the program. through December.
municipally run utility departments and The training tracks have been modified
airports. Additional details, including a short vid-
for 2023 to better serve participating eo featuring participating communities
The program promotes overall cyber- organizations. Each track delivers train- talking about the training, are available
security posture through evaluation, ing and threat simulations (phishing on the Municipal Cybersecurity Aware-
end-user training, and threat simula- campaigns). ness Training Grant Program website.
tion. The Office of Municipal and School • The Year-Long Training Track, the Questions may be emailed to cyber-
Technology, within EOTSS, procures most popular offering, will take place awarenessgrant@mass.gov. ●
6 • The Beacon • November 2022
Cybersecurity summit highlights tools, resources
By Jennifer Kavanaugh ipalities by addressing the difficulty of
Even as cyber threats multiply, communi- attracting and retaining cybersecuri-
ties can leverage an increasing number of ty-skilled employees, giving communities
resources to protect their systems, state more insight into the tactics and meth-
officials said during the second annual ods of cybercriminals, and bolstering the
Massachusetts Municipal Cybersecurity cybersecurity of municipalities through
Summit on Oct. 6. security operations centers.
The summit, hosted online by the Mass- “I believe that a 24/7 threat-monitoring
CyberCenter, provided municipal leaders service would be extremely beneficial to
and employees with information about communities,” Steben said. “Try as we Westfield Network Administrator Mike
available resources and strategies to help might, we simply have no way to provide Steben discusses municipal technology
municipalities bolster their cybersecurity 24/7 IT coverage using our own resourc- needs during the Massachusetts Munici-
es. For me, to have the SOC backing up pal Cybersecurity Summit on Oct. 6.
resilience.
municipal IT operations is invaluable.”
“There is a lot out there for municipal
cybersecurity, in terms of programs, and State resources optic network through the collabora-
resources, and guidance,” said Meg Sper- Since its inception in 2017, the MassCy- tive’s seven communities, cybersecurity
anza, resiliency program manager for the berCenter has worked to strengthen the guidance from the MassCyberCenter’s
MassCyberCenter. cybersecurity resilience of Massachusetts Minimum Baseline of Cybersecurity, and
organizations. It offers resources includ- security awareness training through the
Cybersecurity centers ing a Municipal Cybersecurity Toolkit, Office of Municipal and School Technol-
The summit highlighted statewide efforts designed to help local officials examine ogy.
to create a larger pipeline for cybersecuri- their security needs; the Minimum
ty professionals while increasing research “I have found the resources available
Baseline of Cybersecurity goals for mu-
into cybersecurity threats and providing from the state to be very helpful and very
nicipalities; and Cyber Incident Response
operational support for municipalities. accessible,” Cousens said. “I encourage
Planning materials.
anyone to go after those.”
Over the next year, officials expect to The Municipal Cybersecurity Summit
work on creating Cybersecurity Centers Technology Services and Security Secre-
also highlighted other state technology
of Excellence at colleges and universities tary Curt Wood urged all stakeholders
and cybersecurity grant programs and
across the state — centers that would to collaborate to improve technology
resources: the Municipal Cybersecurity
include both cyber range facilities and defenses in Massachusetts.
Awareness Grant Program; the Cyber-
security operations centers, or SOCs. The security Health Check Program, which “Cybersecurity is everybody’s responsi-
cyber ranges will function like academic allows communities to access basic bility,” Wood said. “If we’re going to be
labs, where professionals and students cybersecurity services for free; the Com- successful in defending against potential
test out software and strategies and run munity Compact IT Grant Program; the cyberattacks, awareness is key.”
cyberthreat simulations, while the SOCs IT Best Practice Program; the Efficiency
will provide real-time security support to Federal resources
and Regionalization Grant Program; State officials said they’re also preparing
customers, including municipalities, non- and the Municipal Fiber Grant Program,
profits and small businesses. The ranges for the new State and Local Cybersecurity
which helps with communities with the Grant Program, created by the federal
and SOCs will offer academic instruction construction and completion of fiber
and hands-on training for students. For Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act.
networks. The new program will provide $1 billion
example, Springfield Technical Com-
munity College is already involved in Danvers Information Technology over the next four years. States are ex-
planning for a center at Springfield’s Director Colby Cousens discussed pected to apply and distribute 80% of the
Union Station. how his town’s work with neighboring funding they receive to local, tribal and
communities grew into a formalized IT territorial governments.
These facilities will operate under the ae- collaborative, with shared services for the
gis of CyberTrust Massachusetts, a new Daniel King, Region 1 cybersecurity
communities of Danvers, Essex, Hamil- chief for the federal Cybersecurity and
nonprofit established to “strengthen the ton, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Middleton,
cybersecurity of under-resourced local Infrastructure Security Agency, said his
Topsfield and Wenham. Established agency offers a range of programs and re-
entities,” and to build a more broad and in 2021, the collaborative offers joint
diverse cyber workforce. The nonprofit sources to help municipalities, including
technology services, infrastructure, cyber resilience reviews of a municipali-
will also form a consortium of business- and cybersecurity efforts, among other
es and academic institutions to further ty’s operational resilience and cybersecu-
services. rity practices, and “cyber hygiene” scans
these goals, according to Peter Sherlock, a
consultant to the MassCyberCenter. Cousens said the collaborative has ben- of websites.
efited significantly from state resources, • 2022 Massachusetts Municipal
Summit panelist Mike Steben, the net- including Community Compact funding,
work administrator in Westfield, said he Cybersecurity Summit recordings and
a $300,000 grant from the Municipal resources
hopes the new centers benefit munic- Fiber Grant Program to complete a fiber
November 2022 • The Beacon • 7
Managers discuss public safety and health issues
By Jennifer Kavanaugh that train individuals to
During the Oct. 20 meeting of the survive violent incidents.
Massachusetts Municipal Management Managers described their
Association in Bridgewater, public concerns about municipal
safety officials stressed the importance building security, given
of partnerships, planning and pragma- their public accessibility.
tism in transforming services for their
McLaughlin said municipal
residents.
leaders should:
Officials from Amherst, East Bridge-
• Share building schematics
water and Hanover described their
with public safety officials Earl Miller, director of Amherst’s new community
approaches to different aspects of public
safety and health, including commu- • Learn which rooms can responder department, describes the town’s process for
be locked, can’t be locked, handling nonviolent 911 calls.
nity responder services, active shooter
training, and mobile integrated health. or can be barricaded
In each case, officials described obstacles • Check that all building keys actually rather than in hospital settings.
they overcame and adjustments they work
had to make. Hanover had explored a mobile integrat-
• Make sure intercom announcements ed health program before the pandemic,
A few months ago, Amherst created can be heard by everyone Cavallaro said, and built relationships
a Community Responders for Equity, with community health care providers,
Safety and Service program, which • Develop communications plans
but the town ran into procedural ob-
sends trained responders to 911 calls immediately if they don’t already have
stacles and prohibitive costs. When the
that don’t require armed police involve- them
state dropped fees and provided tempo-
ment. The new department grew out of rary MIH waivers during the pandemic,
community discussions in the wake of
the 2020 police killing of George Floyd Amherst created a the town seized the opportunity and
built an award-winning COVID-testing
in Minneapolis and nationwide calls for Community Responders program for students, school staff and
police reform. for Equity, Safety and residents. He said the town’s earlier leg-
The town considers CRESS – the first work and relationship-building allowed
Service program, which officials to act quickly.
program of its kind in New England – as
a third component of its public safety sends trained responders “We knew what we wanted to do, we
operations, along with traditional police to 911 calls that don’t knew how we could do it, and everyone
and fire responses. CRESS Director Earl
Miller said the departments keep in require armed police had already bought into the concept,”
Cavallaro said. “We just needed a reason
touch during incidents, and can quick- involvement. to do it, and we needed a way to do it,
ly pivot if a situation ultimately does and COVID was the way to do it.”
require police backup.
McLaughlin said officials need to be pre- Hanover employees found pragmatic
In the long term, Miller said, the success pared for helping wounded individuals ways to speed up testing results, keep
of a community responder service during an active incident, since police infected students and staff out of the
depends on mutual respect and collabo- and fire responders aren’t able to treat schools, and keep school buildings open,
ration among the departments. victims until the shooting stops. Com- Cavallaro said. Partnering with the
“We made an agreement that ultimately munities should also plan for maintain- Broad Institute in Cambridge to conduct
the safety of the town was going to be ing continuity of services if municipal the daily testing, Hanover had a medic
our priority,” Miller said. “Not our egos, buildings become crime scenes, and es- drive the tests to Cambridge every after-
not our institutions, nobody but the tablish partnerships with organizations noon to beat the rush of the institute’s
residents of our town.” that can provide post-incident support other clients, who used a slower courier
to the community. service. To prevent infections from
East Bridgewater Police Sgt. Mike Mc-
“Who’s going to help you with your com- spreading in the schools, he said, school
Laughlin discussed the need for com-
munity if something happens at town nurses began reviewing new test results
munities to prepare for active shooter
hall or at the DPW?” McLaughlin asked. at 4 a.m. so they could stop infected and
incidents, and covered the Active Shoot- exposed children from getting on the
er/Hostile Event Response program, or Hanover Fire Chief Jason Cavallaro dis- bus that morning.
ASHER, a framework for preparing for, cussed mobile integrated health, which
responding to and recovering from such focuses on the use of mobile health re- Also at the meeting, Sean Cronin, senior
crises. He touched on related programs sources (such as emergency medical ser- deputy commissioner at the Division of
— ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, vices and paramedics) and partnerships Local Services, gave an update on the
Counter, Evade) and CRASE (Civilian with community health care stakehold- new Local Finance Commonwealth Fel-
Response to Active Shooter Events) — ers to treat people in the community lowship program to train more munici-
pal finance professionals. ●
8 • The Beacon • November 2022
MMA hosts webinar on mattress, solid waste issues
By Josie Ahlberg Danvers Public Works Director David Lane
An MMA webinar on Oct. 17 covered the reviewed his town’s mattress recycling
state and local impacts of upcoming bans options, explained why curbside collection
on disposal of mattresses, box springs and was the best approach for Danvers, and
textiles, and the lower thresholds for food discussed how the Danvers DPW is edu-
waste. cating residents about the new program.
Effective Nov. 1, these items were added to Waneta Trabert, sustainable materials
the list of highly recyclable, compostable, management director in Newton, dis-
During an Oct. 17 webinar hosted by the
bulky or toxic materials that must be di- cussed the city’s new mattress recycling MMA, Rep. Michelle Ciccolo discusses
verted from traditional waste streams due program, launched on Nov. 1. Trabert new statewide rules affecting the dispos-
to waste disposal bans. said extended producer responsibility for al of mattresses, textiles and industrial
mattresses may be a solution to municipal food waste.
During the “Mattress Recycling and Solid concerns about funding new recycling
Waste Solutions” webinar, John Fischer, programs without further state assistance.
deputy division director of solid waste at Panelists also responded to a number of
the Massachusetts Department of Envi- Rep. Michelle Ciccolo, House chair of the questions about outreach and education,
ronmental Protection, provided an over- Legislature’s Zero Waste Caucus, talked storage, and management of soiled, unac-
view of the new bans, as well as outreach about the caucus’s efforts on mattress ceptable mattresses.
and education efforts, and resources for recycling, and discussed legislative priori-
ties related to solid waste for the recently Click here for the presentations and a
municipalities who are seeking to bolster video recording of the webinar. ●
their programs to comply. concluded legislative session as well as the
next one.
MSA discusses trends in municipal charter changes
By Isabelle Jenkins study committees.
A Massachusetts Select Board Association Jacobson discussed Auburn’s charter Middleton Town Ad-
webinar on Oct. 14 covered trends in mu- change process, including the reasons for ministrator Andrew
nicipal charter and bylaw changes. pursuing a charter change and some of the Sheehan discusses
challenges encountered during the charter the charter change
Middleton Town Administrator Andrew process during an
Sheehan, Auburn Town Manager Julie Ja- change process. Jacobson also highlight- Oct. 14 webinar
cobson, and retired Franklin Town Admin- ed some of the benefits of a strong town hosted by the Mas-
istrator Jeff Nutting discussed common manager form of government. sachusetts Select
issues that lead to the development of or Nutting discussed the council-manager Board Association.
changes to town charters and bylaws. form of government, used in 12 com-
Sheehan discussed some of the challenges munities including Franklin. Nutting council-manager forms of government,
and benefits of the open town meeting explained its benefits and drawbacks, and making changes to a charter without
form of government. He also reviewed the ways in which it differs from town changing the form of government, and
the various options that are available to meeting-select board. how to engage the public in the charter
municipalities looking to adopt or change The panelists also responded to a num- review process.
a town charter, including charter commis- ber of questions about topics like citizen • View the webinar
sions and committees, and government engagement and public participation in
MMA webinar provides conflict management strategies
By Lily Rancatore the difference between healthy and
An MMA webinar on Nov. 2 covered unhealthy conflict, as well as common
effective conflict management and causes. He stressed the importance of
de-escalation strategies that local offi- engaging in active listening and consid-
cials can use to reduce tensions that can ering different perspectives to de-esca-
arise with constituents. late contentious conversations.
Nearly 400 attendees heard clinicians EAP professional and clinician Katie Gil-
from AllOne Health provide an over- feather explained how anger is a default
view of conflict and its primary causes, setting for many people. She highlight-
and share examples of conflict in public ed the importance of listening beyond EAP professional and clinician Katie Gil-
anger, recognizing the brain’s default feather (top left), AllOne Health Region-
meetings, as well as prevention strate- al Executive Director Michael Stuart (top
gies. response, and responding instead of
reacting. right) and Sandwich Town Manager Bud
Regional Executive Director Michael Dunham discuss conflict management
Stuart began the session by discussing during an MMA webinar on Nov. 2.
n CONFLICT MANAGEMENT continued on 17
November 2022 • The Beacon • 9
DOER releases final stretch, specialized energy codes
By Josie Ahlberg spaces in new multifamily parking lots.
The Department of Energy Resources The EV wiring requirement also applies
has released final language to update the to the base energy code, although with a
state’s Stretch Building Energy Code and lower threshold of at least 10% of spaces
provide the framework for a new Special- in multifamily parking lots.
ized Municipal Opt-in Code. Next steps
The “stretch code” is an above-code ap- The Department of Energy Resources re-
pendix to the state’s base building energy New building codes encourage the use
leased draft code language on June 24, and
code, designed to result in cost-effective of electric heat pumps rather than the after months of public outreach and input,
construction that is more energy-effi- burning of fossil fuels. the final language has been submitted
cient than what is built under the base to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on
code. Since 2010, municipalities have had Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
ergy or all-electric pathway.
two options: the base energy code or the for review. The language will be filed with
stretch code. This past spring, the DOER All buildings developed in municipalities the Secretary of State in December.
offered draft language for a new third that opt-in to this third-tier energy code
The Department of Energy Resources is re-
option, the specialized code. will be required to install wiring for electric
quiring the specialized code to be available
vehicle charging in at least 20% of new
Specialized code for adoption by Dec. 24.
parking spaces and at least one space per
The Specialized Municipal Opt-in Code home in one- and two-family homes. The Stretch Energy Code has been avail-
includes net-zero building performance able for many years and has been adopted
standards and is designed to achieve Stretch code in 299 municipalities. The updated stretch
state greenhouse gas emission limits and The updated stretch code language lowers code language will automatically go into
sublimits. This code is expected to help the maximum Home Energy Rating Scores effect for existing stretch code communi-
Massachusetts meet its goal of 50% green- index score to improve energy efficiency ties in 2023.
house gas emissions reduction from the standards for new construction using fos-
sil fuel, solar, all-electric, or a combination Adoption of the new specialized code
1990 baseline levels by 2030.
of on-site energy applications. The HERS will require a vote by the community’s
In a specialized energy code communi- requirements have also been lowered for city council or town meeting. The DOER
ty, new residential buildings have three alterations, additions and change of use recommends that the specialized code
options to comply: a zero-energy path- for existing homes in stretch code commu- requirements take effect on either Jan.
way, all-electric pathway, or a mixed-fuel nities. 1 or July 1, to allow at least a six-month
pathway. phase-in period from the date of the local
Stretch code changes also include added vote so that developers, designers and
The mixed-fuel pathway allows homes to ventilation requirements (heat or energy
use fossil fuels for space heating, water builders will have time to transition.
recovery) and clarification of when home
heating, cooking or drying. It includes a alterations require compliance with differ- The DOER has published a summary
solar power generation requirement to ent rules. document explaining the codes. For more
mitigate the near-term emissions and information, visit the DOER Stretch Ener-
comes with an accompanying exemption The updated regulatory language also gy Code website. ●
for shaded areas. requires wiring be installed to allow for
future electric vehicle charging in at least
New homes that are larger than 4,000 one space per home or at least 20% of
square feet must follow either the zero-en-
DPU approves electric grid modernization plans
The Department of Public Utilities last quires electric utilities to develop mod-
month approved plans from the state’s ernization plans and actively work toward
three largest electric utilities to invest enhancing grid reliability, reducing costs,
more than $450 million to modernize grid and supporting a clean, more efficient
technologies from 2022 through 2025. electric system.
Under the three-year plans, the electric The utility companies’ first grid modern-
distributors will expand grid monitoring, ization plans, approved by the DPU in
communication and automation technolo- May 2018, supported investments from
gies to increase the safety and reliability of 2018 through 2021 to help automate
the Massachusetts electric power system, grid operations and allowed distribution
state officials said. companies to better monitor and control
NSTAR Electric, National Grid and Unitil grid conditions in near real time.
had each filed their grid modernization The DPU website has additional informa- The state has approved plans from the
plans last year. tion. three largest electric utilities to invest
$450 million in grid modernization.
The Department of Public Utilities re- – Josie Ahlberg
10 • The Beacon • November 2022$143M in grants awarded for economic development
On Oct. 26, the Baker-Polito administra- Stolba said the One Stop portal and col-
tion announced more than $143 million laborative review process ensures that
in grant awards for economic develop- her agency takes “a wide-angle lens in
ment projects made through the Com- directing funding to communities of all
munity One Stop for Growth portal. sizes and across all regions. This round
The grants, which will support 337 local we were proud to fund about 60-70%
projects in 169 communities statewide, of all applications that were submitted
were announced at an event in Pittsfield in a region, and every region received
by Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn more awards and more funding than last
Polito, Undersecretary of Community year.”
Development Ashley Stolba, and Mass- The fiscal 2023 One Stop grants include: Gov. Charlie Baker announces more than
Development President and CEO Dan $143 million in grant awards to support
• MassWorks Infrastructure Program: economic development projects in 169
Rivera, who were joined by local officials. $100 million awarded to 63 projects communities during an event at the
Community One Stop provides a • Underutilized Properties Program:
Berkshire Innovation Center in Pittsfield
streamlined, collaborative review pro- on Oct. 26. (Photo courtesy Joshua
$21.7 million awarded to 49 projects Qualls/Governor’s Press Office)
cess for 12 state grant programs that
fund economic development projects • Rural and Small Town Development
related to community capacity building, Fund: $4.96 million awarded to 25 flexible capital funding to support and
planning and zoning, site preparation, projects accelerate housing production and
building construction and infrastruc- • Housing Choice Community Grants: job growth. Among this year’s Mass-
ture. MassWorks, the largest program $3.9 million awarded to 36 projects Works projects, 39 are reactivating
in the One Stop portfolio, is awarding underutilized sites, 31 are supporting
$100 million in grants this year. • Site Readiness Program: $2.86 million
awarded to 12 projects transit-oriented developments, and 30
For this round of One Stop, the Exec- have a mixed-use component. Seventeen
utive Office of Housing and Economic • Urban Agenda: $2.65 million awarded communities are receiving their first-ev-
Development received 523 applications to 31 projects er MassWorks award.
from 207 communities representing • Brownfields Redevelopment Fund: The Baker-Polito administration has
every region of the Commonwealth, $2.6 million awarded to 13 projects awarded a total of 391 MassWorks
according to state officials. Of the 337 • Community Planning Grants: $2.39 grants to 197 communities, investing
applications awarded, 31% are located in million awarded to 40 projects more than $709 million in public infra-
a rural or small town; 32% are located in structure projects throughout the state.
a Gateway City; and 43% are located in a • Collaborative Workspace Program: The grants have directly supported the
Housing Choice Community. $1.2 million awarded to 39 projects creation of 26,000 new housing units
State officials said this year’s grants are • Commonwealth Places: $385,663 and thousands of construction and new
expected to directly support the creation awarded to 12 projects permanent jobs, while also leveraging
of 6,950 new housing units across the approximately $17 billion in private
• Massachusetts Downtown Initiative:
Commonwealth, including 5,068 new investment.
$350,000 awarded to 14 projects
market-rate units and 1,882 new afford- The grant announcement was made
able units. • Real Estate Services Technical
at the Berkshire Innovation Center in
Assistance: $250,000 awarded to seven
Gov. Baker said the administration has Pittsfield. The city is receiving more
projects
made “significant investments in help- than $3.6 million in awards through the
ing our cities, towns and local partners The full list of fiscal 2023 grant awards One Stop process, including a $3 million
achieve their economic development is available on the Executive Office of MassWorks award to the Pittsfield
goals through a range of grant programs Housing and Economic Development Economic Development Authority to
and legislation aimed at advancing the website. convert 16.5 blighted acres of a former
diverse needs of municipalities across MassWorks, one of the state’s largest General Electric transformer property
the state.” competitive grant programs, offers into greenspace, roadways, utility corri-
dors, and stormwater management. ●
Treasury briefing will cover using ARPA funds for housing
The National League of Cities will host a to promote housing stability. The briefing, held via Zoom, will run
discussion with the U.S. Department of Panelists will cover the SLFRF program, from 3 to 4 p.m., including an opportu-
the Treasury on Dec. 8 about how cities its eligible uses, and recent updates to nity for questions. Click here for online
can use their State and Local Fiscal Re- program guidance enhancing flexibili- registration. ●
covery Funds from the American Rescue ty, including for long-term loans such
Plan Act for investments in affordable as Low-Income Housing Tax Credit
housing production, preservation, and programs.
November 2022 • The Beacon • 11Broadband is topic of 2nd MMA BIL webinar on Nov. 15
Broadband will be the focus of the Eichen will also
second in a series of webinars hosted by highlight how
the MMA related to the Infrastructure cities and towns
Investments and Jobs Act, also known can use the MBI’s
as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Municipal Digital
The free webinar, “Broadband and Equity Planning
Digital Equity Investments,” will be held Program to identify
on Nov. 15. Local officials are invited to community needs
register online. and actions that
will ensure that
The webinar will discuss how to use fed- Ashley Stolba Joshua Eichen Michael Baldino residents have ac-
eral broadband funding opportunities to cess to reliable and
close the digital divide, bolster economic Ashley Stolba, undersecretary at the Ex- affordable broadband service.
development, and enhance the lives of ecutive Office of Housing and Economic
residents by equipping them with the The first webinar in the IIJA series
Development, will cover the status of was held on Sept. 20, focused on IIJA/
skills and devices critical to participating major federal broadband funding oppor-
in today’s society. BIL funding opportunities through
tunities. Clean Water and Drinking Water State
Heath Fahle, assistant secretary for From the Massachusetts Broadband Revolving Funds. The webinar series
federal funds in the Executive Office for Institute, Director and General Counsel is co-sponsored by the MMA and the
Administration and Finance, will open Michael Baldino and Program Manager, Division of Local Services.
the session with a short summary of Partnerships Joshua Eichen will discuss
the IIJA and an overview of the federal For more information, contact MMA
broadband mapping and the MBI’s new Education and Training Coordinator Lily
funding landscape. digital equity programs. Baldino and Rancatore at lrancatore@mma.org. ●
Administration announces $12.6M in coastal resilience grants
As part of the Commonwealth’s celebra-
tion of Climate Week in mid-Septem- Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said
ber, the Baker-Polito administration
announced the award of $12.6 million the Coastal Resilience
in grants to support 27 local planning Grant Program provides
and shoreline management projects to valuable technical and
aid coastal communities in preparing for
severe storms and the impacts of climate financial assistance
change, including storm surge, flooding, supporting important
erosion and sea level rise. The Baker-Polito administration has
long-term planning, announced $12.6 million in grants to
The funding, provided through the Office
of Coastal Zone Management in the Exec- infrastructure adaptations, support 27 local planning and shoreline
management projects for coastal
utive Office of Energy and Environmen- and shoreline restoration communities.
tal Affairs, was awarded to Barnstable,
Boston, Brewster, Chatham, Chilmark, efforts “to improve the
Cohasset, Duxbury Beach Reservation resilience of our coastline.” community awareness and understanding
Inc., Gosnold, House of Seven Gables Set- of these issues, plan for changing con-
tlement Association, Ipswich, Manchester- ditions, redesign vulnerable community
by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Marshfield, Mass event in Boston. “We commend local lead- facilities and infrastructure, and restore
Audubon, Mattapoisett, Nahant, New ers for their forward-thinking planning shoreline systems through non-structural
Bedford, Orleans, Plymouth, Province- and action with these Coastal Resilience approaches. Grants may fund feasibility
town, Salem, Scituate, Wareham, Wellf- Grant projects.” assessments, public outreach, design,
leet, and the Woods Hole Oceanographic permitting, construction, and monitoring
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said the Coastal Re- of projects that enhance or create natural
Institution. Additional municipal part- silience Grant Program provides valuable
ners of these projects include Braintree, buffers to erosion and flooding.
technical and financial assistance sup-
Chilmark, Dennis, Duxbury, Eastham, porting important long-term planning, Since 2015, the administration has
Falmouth, Truro and Winthrop. infrastructure adaptations, and shoreline invested $35.7 million in 182 coastal
“Coastal communities in Massachusetts restoration efforts “to improve the resil- resilience improvement projects through
face increasing risks to infrastructure, ience of our coastline.” the program.
buildings, and natural resources due to The Coastal Resilience Grant Program More information about the 27 projects
coastal storms and climate change,” Gov. supports local efforts to evaluate vul- that received grants is available on the
Charlie Baker said at a Sept. 19 press nerabilities to climate impacts, increase Coastal Zone Management website. ●
12 • The Beacon • November 2022You can also read
