State launches One Stop for Growth - Yuck Boys Live
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Vol. XLVIII, No. 2 A Publication of the Massachusetts Municipal Association | www.mma.org February 2021
State launches One Stop for Growth
By John Ouellette Process in 2019. It
On Jan. 27, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and complements the
Housing and Economic Development Community Compact
Secretary Mike Kennealy briefed mu- Connector grant
nicipal CEOs and local officials on the finder tool that was
new Community One Stop for Growth launched last year,
program, which was announced by Polito and is similar to the
at the MMA Annual Meeting on Jan. 21. earlier consolida-
tion of infrastruc-
Polito said the new unified grant applica- ture grants under
tion portal is designed to simplify access Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Housing and Economic Development
MassWorks. Another Secretary Mike Kennealy briefed municipal officials on the new
to 10 of the most popular economic feature is that it Community One Stop for Growth program. Pictured are (top row,
development-related grant programs aligns the application l-r) MMA Executive Director Geoff Beckwith; Assistant Secretary
across several state entities. Applicants and review time- for Program and Performance Management Helena Fruscio-
can save time and effort by having their frames for an array of Altsman; Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike
application considered for multiple grant programs, Kennealy Kennealy; and (bottom row) Assistant Secretary for Communities
programs simultaneously. said. and Programs Juan Vega; and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito.
“It is more important than ever to coor- Community One Stop
dinate across programs to best support provides access to the following grant • Urban Agenda
communities as they recover from the programs offered by the Executive Office • 43D Expedited Permitting
pandemic,” Kennealy said. of Housing and Economic Development, • Community Planning Grants (new)
Community One Stop for Growth was an Department of Housing and Community
outcome of the administration’s year- Development, and MassDevelopment: • Rural Development Fund (new)
long Economic Development Planning • MassWorks n ONE STOP continued on 27
Inside Adam Chapdelaine is new MMA
president, Mayor Fuller is VP
Gov. Baker files fiscal 2022 By Jennifer Kavanaugh
state budget plan...................3
Having steered their own communities
MMA holds virtual through a turbulent 2020, the MMA’s
Annual Meeting.......................4 new president and vice president say
they plan to help municipalities navigate
State, local leaders discuss another year of COVID-19, racial justice
vaccine program.......................5 issues, and economic challenges during
2021.
Legislature begins new Arlington Town Manager Adam Chapde-
session.....................................9 laine, who served as MMA vice presi- Adam Chapdelaine Ruthanne Fuller
dent last year, became president on Jan.
Mass Innovations...............................22 22, succeeding Agawam City Councillor giving local leaders opportunities to
Cecilia Calabrese. Newton Mayor Ruth- engage with state officials as they con-
Around the Commonwealth............24 anne Fuller, who has been serving as the fronted myriad challenges related to the
District 5 representative for the Massa- COVID-19 pandemic. He commended
People................................................ 30
chusetts Mayors’ Association, replaced the MMA for also working with other
Classifieds..........................................32 Chapdelaine as vice president. organizations to ensure that cities and
Over the past year, Chapdelaine said, towns were being heard during crucial
Calendar.............................................36 the MMA further solidified its role as points in the pandemic.
the statewide voice for municipalities, n PRESIDENT, VP continued on 25
2021 MMA
Board of Directors Executive Director’s Report
The MMA Board of Directors holds regular
meetings in Boston, followed by a meeting of Back to normal after COVID? No thank you!
the Local Government Advisory Commission
with the administration. For information on In spite of disruption and dis- engagement).
the board’s activities, call the office of MMA organization in the roll-out of Yet here is the singular ques-
Executive Director Geoff Beckwith at 617-426- vaccine delivery and execution tion: do we want to return to
7272. across the nation, it is clear that the pre-COVID-19 normal? I
we are past the pandemic mid- believe the answer is no.
Executive Committee point. With strong collaboration,
Adam Chapdelaine, MMA President communication and ingenuity Here are a few ideas, and I’m
Town Manager, Arlington sure you can add more:
— just as with testing — our
Ruthanne Fuller, MMA Vice President By Geoffrey
Mayor, Newton supply, demand and delivery We must retain our renewed
systems will adjust, improve and Beckwith
Cecilia Calabrese, MMA Immediate Past reliance on science to guide
President reach appropriate capacity to policy. In the “beforetimes,” it
Councillor, Agawam ensure vaccinations and herd immunity was common to frame belief in science
Michael Bettencourt, MSA President by the end of this summer. You will be as a political issue. Fortunately, this has
Select Board Member, Winchester an essential part of this success. been rarer in Massachusetts. At a na-
Lisa Blackmer, MMCA President
Councillor, North Adams Simply put, we are now closer to the end tional level, however, we saw the former
than we are to the beginning, although president and many governors denigrate
Brian Boyle, ATFC President
Finance Committee, Bolton huge challenges are still ahead of us. medical and scientific realities. They be-
George “Bud” Dunham, MMMA First Vice littled the COVID threat and described
Let’s stop for a moment and absorb the evidence-based pandemic responses as
President
Town Manager, Sandwich
good news part of this. We have passed attacks on individual liberty. This led
Scott Galvin, MMaA President
the middle of this crisis. Due to the to unnecessary death and misery, and
Mayor, Woburn extraordinary efforts of government increased everyone’s vulnerability, due
Julie Jacobson, MMMA President at all levels (especially local and state), to the harsh reality that the virus does
Town Manager, Auburn America and the world can now imagine not care about red and blue, about state
Jeovanny Rodriguez, MMCA First Vice a time when we can control the novel or local borders, or about the approval
President coronavirus, instead of it controlling our ratings of politicians. Going forward, we
Councillor, Lawrence lives and institutions.
John Trickey, ATFC First Vice President
must de-politicize science and facts.
Finance Committee, Pelham Lots of people are already talking about We must keep the movement for
Linda Tyer, MMaA First Vice President a swift return to circa-2019 normality, racial equity front and center.
Mayor, Pittsfield or maybe a “new normal” that rhymes Explicit racism has been on the rise for
Michael Walsh, MSA First Vice President with 2019, by the fall. (New normal many years, and the pace accelerated
Select Board Member, Westwood seems to differ from normal in that it during the past five years. Emboldened
Geoff Beckwith (non-voting) would be a close cousin to 2019, only by dog-whistle politics and reinforced by
MMA Executive Director with heightened awareness of our social media platforms, white suprema-
vulnerability, and a few tweaks such cists have marched throughout America,
Brian Arrigo, Mayor, Revere as a short-term focus on masks and an from Charlottesville in 2017 to the
Steve Bartha, Town Manager, Danvers unclear blend of in-person and virtual
Lisa Braccio, Selectman, Southborough n DIRECTOR’S REPORT continued on 26
Ralph Figy, Councillor, Westfield
Andrew Flanagan, Town Manager, Andover
Claire Freda, Councillor, Leominster
Jill Hai, Select Board, Lexington
Andrew Hogeland, Select Board, Williamstown
TheBeacon Periodicals Postage Paid at Boston, MA, and
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February 2021 | Volume XLVIII, Number 2 TheBeacon (ISSN 0199-235X) is published monthly,
Donna Holaday, Mayor, Newburyport Copyright © 2021, Massachusetts Municipal Association except for a combined July-August issue, by the
Thomas Hutcheson, Town Administrator, Conway Manager of Communications & Massachusetts Municipal Association, One Winthrop
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Afroz Khan, Councillor, Newburyport Communications Candace Pierce of the Massachusetts Selectmen’s Association,
John McLaughlin, Councillor, Waltham John Ouellette Publisher the Massachusetts Mayors’ Association, the
Dan Matthews, Select Board, Needham Associate Editor Geoffrey Beckwith Massachusetts Municipal Management Association,
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We encourage readers to send comments, story ideas, news
Martin Walsh, Mayor, Boston 617-426-7272 • www.mma.org items, and events notices to editor@mma.org.
Kristi Williams, Town Manager, Westborough Twitter and Facebook: @massmunicipal
2 • The Beacon • February 2021
Baker’s FY22 budget would boost municipal aid
By John Robertson in the act. The MMA will continue to
On Jan. 27, Gov. Charlie Baker filed a strongly advocate for significantly
$45.6 billion state budget plan for fiscal higher minimum aid during the budget
2022 that would reduce overall state process.
expenditures by nearly 1% next year, The Chapter 70 recommendation would
as the administration plans a recovery make a significant change in how cities
from the disruptions caused by the and towns can meet their required local
ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the contributions for fiscal 2022. Munici-
related economic recession. palities may use up to 75% of the total
In addition to a consensus tax revenue grant awarded to the local school district
forecast of $30.1 billion, the spending through the Elementary and Secondary
plan for next year, known as House 1, Education Emergency Relief program
relies on as much as $1.6 billion in one- enacted by Congress last month (also
time revenues from the state’s Stabiliza- known as ESSER II) to fund a part of the
increase in its local contribution require- Gov. Charlie Baker discusses his budget
tion Fund. recommendation during a State House
ment under Chapter 70, but not more
Unrestricted General than the increase in required local con- press conference on Jan. 27. (Photo
Government Aid courtesy Joshua Qualls/Governor’s
tribution in fiscal 2022 relative to fiscal
Press Office)
Fulfilling his long-term pledge to local 2021. This is a new temporary provision
officials, Gov. Baker’s budget would that is explained in the narrative and
increase Unrestricted General Gov- slides on the Department of Elementary
ernment Aid at the same rate as the and Secondary Education school finance Breaker program at $367.7 million, an
projected growth of state revenues: website. increase of 6.5%. The Student Opportu-
3.5%. The increase amounts to $39.5 nity Act expanded the circuit breaker by
The DESE website also has fiscal 2022 including out-of-district transportation,
million, bringing the account to nearly
Chapter 70 aid and net school spend- an important enhancement for cities
$1.17 billion. Implementation of this
ing requirements under the governor’s and towns.
state-local revenue sharing framework is
budget for each city, town and regional
good news in a challenging time for local Regional school transportation
school district, as well as preliminary
finances. reimbursements
fiscal 2022 charter school assessments
The Division of Local Services website and reimbursements. The governor’s budget would reduce
has preliminary fiscal 2022 Cherry Sheet funding for regional transportation
aid amounts for each community. Charter schools reimbursements from $82.2 million
The governor’s budget would increase this year to $75.9 million. The MMA
Chapter 70 the charter school reimbursement notes that this would create hardship
The governor’s budget recommendation account to $143.5 million, intended to for virtually all communities in regional
would restart implementation of the meet the commitment in the Student districts.
funding schedules in the 2019 Student Opportunity Act to fund 75% of the
Opportunity Act that were delayed last state’s statutory obligation to mitigate Reimbursements for transportation
year after the coronavirus recession up- Chapter 70 losses to charter schools. of out-of-district vocational students
set the original first-year funding plan. remains significantly underfunded at
The Student Opportunity Act pledges $250,000.
His budget would increase Chapter 70 to phase in full funding of the statuto-
education aid by $197.7 million (3.7%) ry reimbursement formula over three Increasing these accounts is an MMA
to a total of $5.48 billion, which would years, and while this plan may meet that priority.
fully fund the first year of the Student requirement, the MMA contends that McKinney-Vento
Opportunity Act’s seven-year plan to it would not fix the serious flaws in the House 1 would reduce reimbursements
add $1.5 billion in new state funding charter school finance system. Charter for the transportation of homeless stu-
for K-12 education. The majority of the schools will continue to divert a high dents under the federal McKinney-Ven-
funds would implement the improve- percentage of Chapter 70 funds away to Act, from $13.5 million this year to
ments to the foundation budget, adding from many municipally operated school $11.1 million in fiscal 2022. The impact
weight for low-income students, English districts, and place greater strain on the of this funding level will vary from
Language Learners, special education districts that serve the vast majority community to community, depending
costs, and school employee health of public schoolchildren. A resolution on the number of homeless families
benefits. of the charter school funding problem that remain sheltered in local hotels and
An initial look at the budget, however, remains a top MMA priority. motels.
indicates that a large percentage of Special Education Circuit The administration has been successful
cities, towns and school districts would Breaker in reducing the number of homeless
remain minimum-aid-only, receiving House 1 would add $22.5 million to students who are dislocated from their
the minimum $30 per-student increase fund the Special Education Circuit
n BUDGET continued on 16
February 2021 • The Beacon • 3
Challenges ahead are focus of MMA Annual Meeting
By Meredith Gabrilska
The MMA’s 42nd Annual Meeting &
Trade Show, held during a pandemic
and social and political upheaval around
the world, will go down in history as the
largest virtual gathering of municipal
officials in the state.
Instead of the usual gathering in Bos-
ton, more than 850 local leaders got
together on Jan. 21 and 22 using an
interactive platform called Chime.
This year’s theme, “Leading Through
Challenge and Change,” aptly described
the unprecedented year for cities and
towns across the Commonwealth and
the nation. Faced with an unrelenting
pandemic and its economic fallout, a
breaking point in the call for racial and
This year’s Annual Meeting offered numerous opportunities for members to network
social justice, and upheaval in Washing- online.
ton, D.C., municipal leaders and employ-
ees have had to pivot and innovate to
meet the moment and the needs of their
communities, while prioritizing safety the valuable relationship between the Business Meeting and announced that
and stability. state and cities and towns. he would be filing a $200 million Chap-
Also during the opening session, the ter 90 bond bill. He also touched on his
The MMA’s first major online conference budget and spoke candidly about the
featured compelling speakers, timely MMA revisited its MassTown Careers
multimedia campaign — launched last stress of the pandemic on public officials
workshops, networking opportunities, and his methods for managing it.
and a robust Trade Show featuring 80 year but then paused due to the pan-
exhibitors. demic — to raise awareness about the Fifteen workshops over the two days
appeal of municipal careers and to help explored topics ranging from remote
Thursday’s keynote speaker, Wes Moore, cities and towns recruit a new genera- governance to public health, net zero
kicked things off by urging local leaders tion of employees, with a renewed focus emissions to cybersecurity and culti-
to look deeply at the inequities exposed on recruiting for diversity and inclusion. vating equity to economic recovery. All
by the COVID-19 pandemic and take workshops were recorded and will be
the opportunity to prioritize helping At the Women Elected Municipal Of-
ficials Leadership Symposium, Mayor available to attendees on the Chime
those who need them most during the platform through Feb. 22. Workshop
recovery and moving forward. Yvonne Spicer and the Rev. Liz Walker
had a fireside chat about Spicer’s career materials are also being added to the
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito gave a preview of and experiences as a woman of color, MMA website.
the administration’s fiscal 2022 budget and the role women elected officials Exhibitors at the interactive Trade Show
proposal, announced the new Communi- have to play in the fight for racial justice. included a number of environmental
ty One Stop for Growth, and highlighted consulting, financial, energy and tech-
To start Day 2,
motivational nology firms.
speaker and Early on the first day of the conference,
diversity consul- first-time attendees had an opportunity
tant Risha Grant to hear from their counterparts during
led a live interac- a Zoom networking session and get
tive discussion on tips on how to make the most of the
bias, helping at- high-energy event.
tendees uncover The virtual event was not able to include
their biases and the typical breakfast meetings of the
providing tools Massachusetts Mayors’ Association,
for changing Massachusetts Municipal Management
behaviors. Association, Massachusetts Select Board
The Chime platform allowed Annual Meeting attendees to easily
Gov. Charlie Association and Massachusetts Munici-
navigate events and features. Baker joined the pal Councillors’ Association, all of which
MMA Annual n ANNUAL MEETING continued on 27
4 • The Beacon • February 2021
State and local leaders discuss status of vaccine
By John Ouellette
The state’s COVID-19 vaccine program
— and myriad logistical and supply
concerns — dominated the regular con-
ference call with state officials and about
180 municipal CEOs convened by the
MMA on Jan. 26.
Key state officials also addressed favor-
able changes to federal reimbursement
rules and the launch of an ambitious
pooled testing program in schools.
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito gave an update
on vaccination sites and shots admin-
istered, but pointed out that the state’s
ability to vaccinate residents currently
exceeds available vaccine supplies.
“Our capacity and shots in the arm are
not the same thing,” she said. “It’s the
federal government that delivers those State and local leaders convened on Zoom to discuss vaccine distribution, federal aid and
doses to the states. … We want to be ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pictured are (top row, l-r) MMA Executive
ahead of it. That’s why we want to have Director Geoff Beckwith; Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito; Sean Cronin, senior deputy commissioner
the capacity.” at the Division of Local Services; (middle row, l-r) Jana Ferguson, assistant commissioner
at the Department of Public Health; Russell Johnston, senior associate commissioner
As of Jan. 23, she said, nearly 440,000 at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; Dr. Larry Madoff, medical
doses of the vaccine have been admin- director at the Department of Public Health; and (bottom row) Heath Fahle, special
istered to individuals in Phase 1 of the director for federal funds at the Executive Office for Administration and Finance.
state’s three-phase program. Those
eligible in Phase 1 include COVID-facing
health care workers, long-term care fa- Executive Office of Elder Affairs has per week. Polito said “we are hopeful”
cility residents and staff, and emergency provided information to local councils that the federal government will quickly
first responders. on aging on how to help residents who ramp up allotments to be more in line
are uncomfortable making appoint- with capacity. She said there’s also op-
Phase 2 of the program was scheduled to
ments online or are unable to do so. timism that additional vaccines — be-
begin on Monday, Feb. 1, with residents
Ferguson said her department is dis- yond the two currently approved — will
age 75 and older, followed by those age
cussing offering assistance via the 2-1-1 become available in the near future.
65 and older (recently bumped up under
non-emergency information line, and in Ferguson acknowledged that the DPH
new guidance from the U.S. Centers for
many cases appointments can be made has had to notify communities about
Disease Control and Prevention) and
by phone. vaccination supply limits in order to
individuals with two or more comorbidi-
ties. Next in line will be workers in early The state’s web portal, www.mass.gov/ help them plan. The supply shortage
education, K-12 education, transit, gro- covid-19-vaccine, provides the most creates logistical challenges for the state
cery stores, utilities, food and agricul- up-to-date information about the state and puts a premium on ensuring that no
ture, and restaurants and cafes, followed vaccine plan, when and where residents doses go to waste, particularly since the
by other specified worker groups. can get the vaccine, a map of vaccine vaccines must be stored under exacting
locations (with links or phone numbers conditions.
Jana Ferguson, assistant commissioner
for booking appointments), and answers Pharmacies and community clinics are
at the Department of Public Health,
to frequently asked questions. being added to the website map on a
said those who qualify for vaccines in
Phase 2 are able to go through their By Jan. 29, Polito said, Massachusetts rolling basis as the state seeks to even
primary care provider or, when making would have 103 publicly available vacci- out availability throughout the state and
an appointment online, they may fill nation sites and capacity to administer across different demographic groups.
out a form, under penalties of perjury, 242,000 shots per week. Capacity is By Feb. 15, Polito said, 71 retail phar-
attesting that they qualify. expected to reach 165 sites and 305,000 macies are expected to be administering
shots per week by mid-February, includ- vaccines.
The general public becomes eligible in
ing 76,000 per week at seven vaccine Dr. Larry Madoff, medical director at
Phase 3, currently scheduled to start in
“megasites” at locations such as Gillette the Department of Public Health, said
April, Polito said.
Stadium and Fenway Park. individual doctors’ offices that currently
Residents age 75 and older were sched-
The federal allotment to Massachusetts,
uled to be able to begin scheduling n CEO BRIEFING continued on 16
meanwhile is just shy of 190,000 doses
vaccine appointments on Jan. 27. The
February 2021 • The Beacon • 5
Moore: Work to fix problems exposed by COVID
By Jennifer Kavanaugh into his grandpar-
During this time of pandemic and politi- ents’ small home
cal upheaval, leaders need to elevate their in the South
missions and fight for the people who Bronx, where he
need them most, said bestselling author started getting
and social entrepreneur Wes Moore into trouble.
during the MMA’s 42nd Annual Meeting “The first time
& Trade Show on Jan. 21. that I felt hand-
In a keynote address titled “Evolve, cuffs on my wrists
Adapt, Inspire: The Tenets of Transfor- is when I was 11
mational Leadership,” Moore recognized years old,” Moore
the unprecedented challenges faced by said. “Eleven. In
local leaders, in the forms of COVID-19, the Bronx.” During the opening session of the MMA Annual Meeting on Jan.
racial injustice and economic fallout. Frustrated with his 21, keynote speaker Wes Moore talks about the critical role local
These challenges, however, also give behavior, Moore’s leaders play in challenging times like these.
leaders an opportunity to think about mother sent him to
what they really need to achieve – and a Pennsylvania mil-
the people they need to serve. itary academy, from which he ran away those who we know do not have other
“If we never forget about who we’re fight- five times in the first four days. Between people that are protecting them.”
ing for, we won’t stop fighting for them,” the reminders from his mother that, “It
is not all about you,” and his experiences Moore fielded a number of questions and
Moore said. “Especially at a time when we described how he manages to remain
know it’s going to be hard, especially at a with his fellow cadets, Moore said he
grew to appreciate the importance of positive during these times. He said he
time when we know that budgets are go- imagines describing the struggles of
ing to be tight, especially at a time when interconnectedness and cooperation.
today to abolitionist Harriet Tubman or
we know that decisions won’t be simple – He said we need empathy and collective civil rights activist Rosa Parks. People
this is where you matter most.” action now more than ever, as people face have overcome tough times before, he
He said the COVID crisis exposed prob- growing instability in their lives. said. Instead of spending “all day long
lems that have long existed. Even before “We are hitting a moment right now just mired in darkness,” people must keep
the pandemic, 44% of Americans didn’t where, frankly, your jurisdictions, your pushing forward.
have $400 in cash to cover an emergency areas, your constituents, your people – “In many ways optimism is a choice, as to
expense, and one in five children were people who rely on you, the people who what we choose to spend our time focus-
going to bed hungry. Of the people who need you – they are crying out because of ing on,” Moore said.
have lost jobs during the pandemic, what we know are the distinct realities of
24% were already living in poverty. Even this moment in their lives,” Moore said, He urged leaders to measure an orga-
before COVID, he said, leaders had work “where certain things that felt certain no nization’s anti-bias efforts on the same
to do. longer feel certain, certain guarantees level as financial benchmarks and other
that we promised no longer feel guar- performance metrics.
“This is not just about the virus,” Moore
said. “It’s about neglect. It’s about the anteed, certain hopes that maybe your “Do you have someone who’s actually
fact that we’re watching the impacts of people might have had might now seem going in and measuring some of these
COVID-19, and … not everyone has felt laughable.” other things when it comes to combat-
its impacts equally. Not everybody sees When the pandemic ends, leaders must ing systemic racism?” he asked. “Both
just how devastating and damaging this aspire to do more than just return to reminding people that it’s real, but also
virus has been.” pre-COVID conditions – they should showing people what progress looks like
strive toward a collective agenda and an in order for us to get there?”
As CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation,
the largest anti-poverty nonprofit in New inclusive framework, and realize that When addressing controversial issues,
York City, Moore speaks frequently about growth doesn’t need to be discriminato- local leaders should examine how and
inequality. His books include “Five Days: ry. Leaders should be ready to make hard why people come to the conclusions they
The Fiery Reckoning of an American decisions, he said, and to bring people to- do. He urged officials to listen humbly
City,” which examines the aftermath of gether from across the political spectrum and with open minds.
Freddie Gray’s 2015 death in police cus- to advocate for the right causes. Local “I don’t know if local officials are always
tody in Moore’s hometown of Baltimore. leaders aren’t just someone who holds a supposed to have the answers,” Moore
seat or an office. said. “I think what local officials are being
In his talk, Moore explained how the
adversity he faced as a child helped shape “You’re a dream protector,” Moore said. asked to do is to listen to the concerns
his views and work. His father died when “You’re protecting the dreams of every and try to unearth where the answers
Moore was a little boy, leaving his moth- one of your constituents, and your re- have already been developed.” ●
er, then in her 20s, alone to raise three sponsibility, my responsibility, is to make
children. Moore and his family moved sure that we’re protecting the dreams of
6 • The Beacon • February 2021
Grant examines bias, provides tools for inclusion
By Jennifer Kavanaugh To create change,
When motivational speaker and diver- people need to
sity consultant Risha Grant describes identify, own and
the importance of inclusion, the former confront their
college basketball player talks about how unconscious
much she hated the sport as a young biases. Using
girl. electronic polling,
Grant asked
During her Jan. 22 keynote at the attendees about
MMA’s 42nd Annual Meeting & Trade their self-identifi-
Show, Grant said her cousins made cations, their bi-
her watch them play basketball, but ases, and positive
wouldn’t let her participate. After an actions they could
older cousin taught her how to play and take. Risha Grant, a motivational speaker and diversity consultant, urges
championed her, she fell in love with the Annual Meeting attendees to examine their own biases during her
game, and eventually received several She cautioned Jan. 22 keynote.
Division 1 scholarship offers. If you against putting
“want to make a difference in someone’s people in categor-
life,” she said, you must be inclusive. ical boxes, giving an example of a man
that she prejudged because he had “666” navigate in a world that wasn’t made
“So you have to ask yourself, who is it tattooed on his forehead. After talking for me,” Grant said. “So it taught me
that you can be an ally for in the office?” to him, she realized that the tattoo unconscious bias, it taught me mistrust,
Grant said. “Why is that person not wasn’t a satanic reference, and that he but it also taught me how to navigate in
talking? How can you amplify their was a reformed convict who had helped this world.”
voice? How can you make sure that lead hundreds of people out of gangs. While Grant appreciated her grand-
they are truly a part of the team? That’s mother’s protectiveness, she eventually
inclusion.” had to address the mistrust it created.
Grant is the founder and CEO of Risha “As cool as diversity To confront bias, she said, we need to
Grant LLC, a diversity consulting and is, let’s be real: A lot of build authentic relationships, be inten-
communications firm in Oklahoma, and tional about actions, question assump-
a radio host, newspaper columnist and people find it extremely tions, and challenge microaggressions.
author of “That’s BS! How Bias Synapse challenging. The world Grant recalled talking to a white man
Disrupts Inclusive Cultures and the
Power to Attract Diverse Markets.” finds it extremely once in a Chicago bar. Their pleasant
conversation derailed when the man
In an interactive session called “Get Rid challenging.” called Grant “such a credit” to her race,
of the BS (Bias Synapse),” Grant helped – Risha Grant and repeated bigoted stereotypes.
participants discover and examine their Instead of berating him, she explained
biases, and gave them tools for changing why his words hurt. In return, she got
behaviors. She coined the term “bias “People don’t fit in boxes,” she said. an apology, a “big steak dinner,” and a
synapse” to describe the way our brains “They are going to get out every time.” new friend.
process bias, as if on autopilot. Through her concept of a BS Finder, “Challenge those microaggressions, but
We must address diversity, inclusion Grant calls on people to assess their do so with grace,” she said.
and bias, she said, because it’s the right reactions; attribute the causes; and iden-
thing to do. By 2042, the United States tify whether their feelings are based on To build more diverse workplaces, Grant
will be a minority-majority country, she personal experiences, social norms, or suggested that leaders review resumes
said, and five states have already crossed deeply-rooted beliefs. without any identifying information, se-
that threshold. lect diverse interviewing panels, ensure
Families often pass down hurts and that questions don’t just reflect inter-
“As cool as diversity is, let’s be real: A lot fears through generations, Grant said. viewers’ backgrounds; reconsider prior-
of people find it extremely challenging,” When she was young, her grandmother itizing graduates of the “best schools”;
she said. “The world finds it extremely repeatedly warned about how “they” and consult websites or consultants for
challenging. And challenging is putting might treat her as a Black girl in a most- inclusive hiring advice.
that in nice terms, right? Because if I ly white community. One summer, her
were to put it in real terms, I would say grandmother made her study because To improve environments for employ-
that Black people are being killed at “they” might not give her an equal edu- ees, organizations need policies for
the hands of those who are supposed cation. She would also insist that Grant inclusivity, zero tolerance and anti-re-
to protect. The words ‘Black man’ have get receipts with her penny candy, to taliation.
been weaponized, and we know that guard against theft accusations. In response to a question, Grant spoke
racial disparities exist in every area of “She was trying to teach me how to
our world.” n GRANT continued on 35
February 2021 • The Beacon • 7
Spicer, Walker discuss equity, inclusion, role of leaders
By Meredith Gabrilska She did experi-
In a virtual fireside chat during the ence being the
MMA Annual Meeting on Jan. 21, Fram- only girl or child
ingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer joined the of color in the
Rev. Liz Walker to discuss topics ranging science or engi-
from Spicer’s childhood experiences and neering classes
interests to her position as the first pop- and events she
ularly elected African-American woman took part in, but
mayor in the state, and her thoughts on she said it didn’t
the vital role women in elected positions phase her.
have to play in advancing racial equity. “I’m here,” she
“In all of my personal life experience, it said, reflecting
has been women at the forefront, and on the experi-
Mayor Yvonne Spicer (left) and the Rev. Liz Walker talk about
I stand on the shoulders of so many ence. “I’m taking Spicer’s career and experiences as a woman of color, and the role
women,” Spicer said during the Women up my space, women elected officials have to play in the fight for racial justice
Elected Municipal Officials Leadership and I’m going to during the Women Elected Municipal Officials Leadership Sympo-
Symposium. “I have a responsibility to do me.” sium on Jan. 21.
pass that baton on to other women.” Asked about
Spicer recalled meeting Shirley influential
Chisholm, the first Black woman elected voices outside of her family, Spicer listed mechanism for bringing visibility to the
to Congress, in Brooklyn, New York, the church and the civil rights move- lives of black people.
when she was 6. ment, noting that she was born before
the 1965 Voting Rights Act explicitly Spicer also spoke about racial challenges
“Our congresswoman came to visit our outlawed barriers that were used for in Framingham, including “microaggres-
classroom,” Spicer said. “She said, ‘I help a century to suppress voting by Afri- sions” that exist even in a community
people, and I help children like you have can-Americans. of roughly 70,000 people, 30% of whom
a better life.’” identify as being people of color and
“My mother would always remind us to where many residents value being in a
Noting the way black and brown families never take the right to vote for granted,” diverse community.
lived where she grew up, Spicer could she said.
see that Chisholm was making a differ- Spicer calls those willing to roll up their
ence. She also had the opportunity to She said it is important to understand sleeves in support of Black Lives Matter
see, in the late 1960s, a Black woman in the historical roots of race in this coun- accomplices, as opposed to allies.
a position of leadership. try — “a 400-year-plus issue” — noting
that there is long and arduous work “Throughout my life and career, it is
Prior to entering local government, ahead. those accomplices that have made the
Spicer spent 16 years as a science and difference for me,” Spicer said. “I grew
technology educator in Framingham She said “acknowledging that we all up with love and hope and spirit and
and Newton and 10 years at the Mu- come with baggage” is key to having faith and I carry that into the work
seum of Science. She served as a Town the critical conversations to unpack the today, to be compassionate, understand
Meeting member in Framingham and on baggage and find the common ground. the community and lead with integrity.”
the Standing Committee on Ways and Walker, who was the featured WEMO “Elected women in general can do so
Means and the Human Relations Com- speaker in 2017, noted that the country much,” she said, encouraging attendees
mission, but her youthful aspirations has had moments of reckoning before, to look at who is sitting at their profes-
did not predict a political career. and asked what would make this time sional and personal tables.
“I was always very curious about the different. Spicer said that the number
of women and women of color who are “When you sit and eat a meal, does
world around me and how things work,” everyone around the table look like you?
Spicer said of her early interest in sci- now in seats of leadership would make
the difference. They see things differ- If so, your table is not big enough.”
ence and engineering.
ently. “You have to be very deliberate in your
She recalled an at-home experiment of actions,” she said. “Create the spaces
taking apart and reassembling a blender “If people of color are not at the table, if
women are not at the table, then their that allow for you to get to know the
as a moment that illustrated her par- diversity in your community, and just
ents’ support of her interests. voices are never heard,” she said.
keep asking who is not here that I know
“Your parents are your first teachers, She also gave young people credit for lives in this community.”
and both of my parents were very inspi- their role in the Black Lives Matter
movement. On matters like racial justice Spicer said women are particularly good
rational and always made me feel as if I at bringing in new and different voices
could do anything,” Spicer said. “And I and climate change, “they don’t want
to step back and wait their turn.” Spicer and looking at what others might need.
was never told otherwise.”
said she sees Black Lives Matter as a n SPICER continued on 20
8 • The Beacon • February 2021
Legislature begins new two-year session
By John Robertson In comments to the House, Mariano
The new two-year legislative session that said that monitoring the distribution
started on Jan. 6 will take a little while of vaccines and helping people and
to really get rolling, but there are a few businesses with ongoing economic and
items that could be taken up even before health care challenges caused by the
legislative rules have been adopted and pandemic will be early priorities in the
committee chairs and members have House.
been named. For most bills, the pace is usually slower
The governor filed his fiscal 2022 state in the first year of a new session, when
budget recommendation on Jan. 27, and Ronald Mariano Karen Spilka hundreds of bills — both new and
work will start on that immediately, in- refiled — are assigned to committees for
cluding public hearings that could begin hearings.
the COVID-19 pandemic.
later this month. Legislators and advocates are still work-
Sen. Karen Spilka returns to lead the ing on draft bills, with a filing deadline
The governor also filed a bond bill need- Senate, and the House welcomed a new
ed to finance Chapter 90 authorizations that has been pushed back to Feb. 19
speaker, Rep. Ronald Mariano, following because the last session ran late due
for local road projects in fiscal 2022. the retirement of Speaker Bob DeLeo
March 1 is the deadline for notifying cit- to the COVID state of emergency. In
on Dec. 29 after serving six terms as November, the MMA Board of Direc-
ies and towns of their local allocations, the leader of the House. The Senate
and the MMA will be asking for expedit- tors approved a 17-bill MMA legislative
president and House speaker both have package that covers a range of municipal
ed consideration of the measure. roots in local government, having served issues.
The House and Senate moved quickly on school committees in Ashland and
to approve a climate bill on Jan. 28 to Quincy, respectively. The legislative schedule for 2021 antic-
replace the bill they sent to the governor ipates formal working sessions through
In remarks to the Senate, Spilka reflect- mid-November and a restart in Janu-
at the end of the last session, which he ed on accomplishments of the last two-
vetoed. ary for the second half of the two-year
year session, including the 2019 Student session. ●
And the MMA is advocating for ear- Opportunity Act and the sweeping polic-
ly passage of legislation to maintain ing reform bill enacted last year. Look-
flexibility regarding town meetings and ing toward the new year, she said that
local elections, extending rules that were emergency paid leave legislation would
enacted last spring in the early part of be an early priority for the Senate.
Governor signs economic development bond bill
By Brittney Franklin • $20 for a new rural and small town fail to create a zoning district with as-of-
On Jan. 14, Gov. Charlie Baker signed a development fund to support right multifamily development would be
$626 million economic development bond municipalities on local goals ineligible for funds from the MassWorks
bill, titled An Act Enabling Partnerships for Also included in the law are two hous- Program, the Housing Choice Initiative, or
Growth. ing-related policy changes. The Housing the state’s Local Capital Projects Fund.
One week after the bill was originally filed Choice provisions change state law to The MMA has consistently opposed this
by the Baker-Polito administration last reduce the vote threshold needed to adopt measure, and on Jan. 7 sent a letter to the
March, the Commonwealth entered a state certain zoning changes, from two-thirds to governor asking him to veto Section 18 of
of emergency to respond to the COVID-19 a simple majority. This language went into the bill.
pandemic. The bill was subsequently effect immediately. In a letter to the Legislature vetoing certain
updated in order to bolster economic re- The Housing Choices Act has been strongly portions of the bill, the governor noted
covery. The final version of the law reflects supported by the MMA and a broad coali- that, “Although I did not propose this sec-
some of those changes. tion of stakeholders including the Greater tion, I am signing it because the law gives
Highlights include: Boston Real Estate Board, the Home Build- my Administration considerable discretion
ers and Remodelers Association of Massa- to determine compliance. I expect the
• $50 million for neighborhood chusetts, the Massachusetts Association of relevant agencies will work diligently with
stabilization Realtors, the Greater Boston Chamber of cities and towns to develop compliance
• $50 million for transit-oriented housing Commerce, and NAIOP – The Commercial criteria that are fair and reasonable, with
development Real Estate Development Association. due regard for different needs in different
• $10 million for climate-resilient housing communities, and for the time and effort it
• $40 million for revitalization of The law also includes language that
imposes a one-size-fits-all zoning scheme takes to create new zoning districts.”
underused properties
• $10 million for regional and community on 175 communities within the MBTA This portion of the bill will go into effect 90
assistance region. Communities in this group that days after it was signed. ●
February 2021 • The Beacon • 9
Polito cites strength of state-local partnership
By John Ouellette velopment strategy. The administration
Speaking to more than 800 local leaders has set a goal of producing 135,000 new
from across the state during the MMA units by 2035.
Annual Meeting & Trade Show on Jan. She thanked local officials for their help
21, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito stayed largely and support in passing the Housing
on the topic of the state-local partner- Choices Act, which was included in the
ship and the administration’s commit- economic development package signed
ment to listening to local leaders and by the governor on Jan. 14. Housing
then developing tools to help them. Choices changes state law to reduce the
She also announced the 3.5% Un- vote threshold needed to adopt certain
restricted General Government Aid zoning changes, from two-thirds to a
increase in the administration’s state simple majority. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito discusses housing,
budget plan for fiscal 2022. Polito said the $626 million multi- economic development, small business
relief and the joint state and local re-
“Our budget recommendation will year economic development package, sponse to COVID-19 on Jan. 21 during
continue the strong support for cities which the governor filed last March and the MMA’s Annual Meeting & Trade
and towns that our administration has then reworked in late June to address Show.
made a priority since entering office [in pandemic needs, includes $10 million
2015],” Polito said. for climate-resilient affordable hous-
ing production as well as funding for small business relief package to help the
And she announced a new grant applica- revitalization of underused properties, hardest-hit main street and downtown
tion portal called Community One Stop site readiness, regional and community small businesses with grants that will
for Growth that consolidates applica- assistance planning, a new Rural and be administered through the Massachu-
tions for a range of programs in one Small Town Development Fund, and setts Growth Capital Corporation. The
online location. maintenance of broadband infrastruc- Small Business Relief Fund has provided
“We hope this new streamlined appli- ture in central and western Massachu- $195 million in direct support to more
cation will make it easier to get your setts. than 4,100 small businesses.
communities the resources you need to Given the negative impact of the Polito also mentioned the multi-year
succeed both in your [pandemic] recov- pandemic on local businesses, Polito transportation bond package signed by
ery and far into the future,” Polito said. said the administration is “prioritizing the governor on Jan. 15, which includes
Polito reiterated that housing produc- supporting the businesses that define funding for a number of municipal grant
tion remains a priority for the admin- our main streets.” In December, the ad- programs, including a new Municipal
istration and a key to its economic de- ministration announced a $668 million Pavement Partnership Program and
Local Bottleneck Reduction Program
as well as the popular Municipal Small
Bridge Program and Complete Streets
program.
Polito noted how the COVID-19 pan-
demic had strengthened the bonds
between state and local government,
and how new forums have been estab-
lished for idea exchange – particularly
the frequent conference calls convened
by the MMA for state and local leaders –
with concrete results.
“We are fortunate to have a strong line
of connection with local officials,” she
said. “As former local officials, [the
governor and I] know you know your
communities best.”
She added that, “The pandemic has
made the role of government even more
MMA-Suffolk alumni, students connect important, especially at the local level.”
More than 60 alumni and students gathered virtually on Jan. 21 during the MMA Annual Polito noted that the administration has
Meeting & Trade Show. The MMA-Suffolk Certificate in Local Government Leadership created a number of grant and technical
and Management program now has more than 400 graduates, and the Municipal Finance assistance programs intended to facili-
Management Seminar has more than 100.
n POLITO continued on 20
10 • The Beacon • February 2021Gov. Baker previews budget, discusses pandemic
By John Ouellette more reading,
During the MMA Annual Business and recommend-
Meeting on Jan. 22, Gov. Charlie Baker ed “Lincoln on
thanked hundreds of local officials for the Verge,” which
their “invaluable” partnership during gave him a “giant
the COVID-19 pandemic and announced dose of perspec-
his intent to quickly file legislation to tive” on challeng-
authorize $200 million for the Chapter es that leaders
90 local road and bridge program. have overcome.
(For enter-
The governor also touched briefly on tainment, he’s
his state budget plan for fiscal 2022 become a fan of
(filed five days later), noting a proposed “Ted Lasso,” a TV
3.5% increase in Unrestricted General show he said he
Government Aid and full funding of the probably wouldn’t
Student Opportunity Act. have discovered Gov. Charlie Baker discusses the COVID-19 pandemic during
Baker pointed out that the administra- if not for the the virtual MMA Annual Meeting & Trade Show on Jan. 22.
tion and the Legislature worked hard to pandemic.)
triple the balance of the state’s “rainy
day fund” between 2015 and 2019, Both the state and federal political
which is enabling the state to weather “Recognize that your systems, he said, are carefully designed
the economic fallout of the pandemic not to convey absolute power to one
without raising taxes or making drastic
words matter — in both individual or branch of government and
budget cuts. directions. What you to offer protection for minority points
of view.
The governor highlighted a number say can either take the
Regarding the polarization we face as a
of programs and recently signed laws temperature down or country, he said, “People need to make
intended to help give an economic boost
to main streets and downtowns that turn it up. What you say some new friends, and I don’t say that
have suffered during the pandemic, can help people work lightly. … We all tend, more often than
particularly a $626 million economic not, to spend time with the people we
development bond, $16.5 billion trans-
together or do just the know best. And COVID, by the way,
portation bond package and a new small opposite.” makes what I’m talking about here dra-
business relief initiative that has distrib- matically harder to do.”
– Gov. Charlie Baker
uted $232 million thus far to more than Asked how state and local leaders can
4,000 small businesses. The multi-year make progress on racial equity and jus-
transportation bond law includes fund- The governor stressed the nonpartisan tice, he said leaders need to really work
ing for the popular Complete Streets nature of local elections, which dovetails at listening to many perspectives, build-
and Municipal Small Bridge grant pro- with his bipartisan approach to govern- ing trust and relationships, and being
grams, as well as new Municipal Pave- ing. He and Polito “take a lot of pride in aware of the power of political speech.
ment Partnership and Local Bottleneck having served in local government, and
Reduction grant programs. “Recognize that your words matter — in
we’ve tried to bring that kind of attitude both directions,” he said. “What you say
A former selectman in his hometown of to our work the last six years.” He said can either take the temperature down or
Swampscott, Baker recognized how chal- state and local governments “are judged turn it up. What you say can help people
lenging the past year has been for local on what they accomplish, not what they work together or do just the opposite.”
officials across the state and thanked oppose.” ●
them effusively for their hard work Baker noted that during the 2014
to navigate the pandemic and main- campaign, he spent time in communi-
tain essential services. In an informal ties where, “if a Republican got 5% of
question-and-answer segment of his the vote, it was a miracle” because he
appearance, he acknowledged that he is wanted to get to know people whose life
anxious to return to having face-to-face experiences were different from his.
contact with local officials and constit-
uents again, and that he has turned to “Public life is a team sport,” he said. “It’s
regular evening walks with his wife, very hard to get much done … unless
Lauren, to relieve stress. you’re willing to build coalitions and to
recognize that you don’t know where
Since he’s spending less time travelling your next one is coming from.”
the state, he said he’s also been doing
February 2021 • The Beacon • 11Dr. Fauci cites ‘critical role’ of local leaders in pandemic
By John Ouellette of the challenge, he said, is getting
In a Jan. 25 interview with the Georgia “through and past this vaccine hesitan-
Municipal Association, Dr. Anthony Fau- cy.”
ci, a lead member of the White House If we get in the area of 85% of the pop-
Coronavirus Task Force and one of the ulation vaccinated by mid-summer, he
world’s leading experts on infectious said, “we could be approaching” normal
diseases, said municipal leaders have a activities by mid- to late-fall. By the end
“critical” role to play in both containing of this year, he said, “We can feel much
the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring different than we do now.”
that the vaccines are distributed and Because COVID and the vaccines are so
administered effectively in order to end During a Jan. 25 interview with the new, he said it’s too soon to know if ad-
the pandemic. Georgia Municipal Association, Dr. ditional vaccine doses might be needed
“I think local leaders are some of the Anthony Fauci says local leaders play in the future.
a critical role in the fight against
most important components of get- COVID-19. “We have that [possibility] in our long-
ting the message to the community, term strategic plan,” he said.
which was one of the reasons I was
enthusiastic to speak with you,” he said. Asked about the level of concern over
“You really want to make sure that the “Safety was not mutations of the coronavirus, Fauci
people who are on the ground, close to said virus mutation is to be expected,
the community, are very aware of the
compromised, nor was and the new coronavirus variants do
information in real time. … Congratula- scientific integrity. … not appear to be more virulent, though
tions on what you do, because it really is The determination of they are more transmissible. He said it’s
important.” possible that people would need a vac-
whether a vaccine is safe cine booster later on to effectively fight
Directly addressing the abundance of
misinformation about the disease and and effective is made variants, but “for the time being, things
look OK.”
treatments since the pandemic began at the end of clinical
nearly a year ago, Dr. Fauci stressed Signaling a dramatic shift under the new
the importance of listening to public
trials involving tens of presidential administration, Fauci sat
concerns and promoting solid scientific thousands of people. with the Georgia Municipal Association
evidence. just hours after speaking to the World
… The whole process is Health Organization about the United
“We’ve got to start basing things on both independent and States rejoining the organization and
facts,” he said. “We’ve just got to explain hours before a scheduled meeting with
the facts to people.” transparent.”
President Joe Biden and Vice President
He urged local leaders to engage in – Dr. Anthony Fauci Kamala Harris to discuss pandemic
conversations about the COVID vaccines response.
and work to allay the fears of those who Dr. Fauci, who is director of the Nation-
doubt their safety or efficacy. Trial data is evaluated by an indepen-
dent data and safety monitoring board al Institute of Allergy and Infectious
“Some people are worried that maybe that includes scientists, vaccinologists, Diseases and the chief medical advisor
it’s the federal government trying to ethicists, and statisticians, and “is not to the president, has served American
put something over on us, or compa- accountable to the federal government public health in various capacities for
nies trying to make some money,” he or the pharmaceutical companies.” If the more than 50 years.
acknowledged. board signs off, then the U.S. Food and The half-hour interview was conduct-
But the unprecedented speed at which Drug Administration conducts its own ed by GMA Executive Director Larry
vaccines were developed — in just 11 review. Hanson, General Counsel Rusi Patel, and
months — indicates “spectacular ad- Fauci said he’s confident in the new Communications Director Kelli Ben-
vances in the science of vaccine platform Biden administration’s prioritization nett. The GMA has shared the interview
technologies,” he said, and not a lower- of COVID vaccination and its five-part with state municipal leagues across the
ing of rigorous vetting standards. vaccine plan. He said the effort could get country. ●
“Safety was not compromised, nor was a boost from additional vaccines that
scientific integrity,” he said. “The deter- could be coming online soon, such as a
mination of whether a vaccine is safe single-dose version being developed by
and effective is made at the end of clin- Johnson & Johnson.
ical trials involving tens of thousands “Getting back to normal,” he said, “is
of people. … The whole process is both highly dependent on the percentage
independent and transparent.” of people that we get vaccinated.” Part
12 • The Beacon • February 2021You can also read
