The Massachusetts Municipal Councillors’ Association will hold its third biennial training session for newly elected councillors on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The free meeting will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Marlborough.
The program will begin with a panel titled “You’ve Been Elected — Now What? Navigating Your Role as a Councillor.” Experienced councillors will share guidance on a variety of topics, from constituent services to working with department staff to all other aspects of their new role.
Sean Cronin, senior deputy commissioner at the Division of Local Services, will give a state budget and finance overview. Assistant Director of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance’s Federal Funds Office Brendan Sweeney will give an overview of the American Rescue Plan Act and discuss how some communities are using the funds.
Other sessions will cover budgeting and department head relationships. There will also be a dedicated networking session.
The meeting is targeted to newly elected officials, but all city and town councillors are invited. An invitation and registration information will be sent to all councillors and will be available on www.mma.org.
The MMA is taking precautions in order to host a safe, in-person event. At registration, attendees must show proof of vaccination status (card or picture on phone), and those claiming a medical exemption based on their physician’s advice or a religious exemption must document a negative result of a COVID-19 test administered within 72 hours. On the day of the meeting, attendees must attest that they have no COVID symptoms and must wear a mask except when eating or drinking.