October 5 & 6, 2022 - Cross Insurance Center

7:30 a.m.                     Registration Begins

7:30 – 10:30 a.m.        Continental Breakfast

9:00 – 10:30 a.m.       WELCOME AND KEYNOTE SPEAKER

What and How? Anticipating the Future of Local Government
Ninety five percent of leaders say it's their job to create strategies for their organizations. Those same leaders spend only 1.5-4.5 minutes each day thinking strategically about the future. Is your town or city ready for what’s coming? Do you know what to watch for? In this session, economist and Top 50 professional futurist Rebecca Ryan teaches no-cost, no-permission techniques to anticipate the future and shares 5 signals of the future she’s watching, to anticipate the future of local government in Maine.
Presenter: Rebecca Ryan
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following categories: Leadership

10:30 – 10:45 a.m.      BREAK

10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

Focus on Public Safety Employee Health for Retention and Support
Municipalities are concerned about retaining their public safety professionals and programs that support unique employee health is one investment communities can make that improve retention and health outcomes for their staff. There is absolutely no question that the number one killer of active and retired law enforcement officers and fire fighters is heart disease. Join Dr. Benjamin Stone, founder of Sigma Tactical Health and Wellness, for an in-depth overview of the early detection model, specific to public safety professionals, that he and his team are creating in an effort to permanently change this shocking statistics.
Presenter: Dr. Benjamin Stone, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Sigma Tactical Health and Wellness
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following categories: Human Resources and Leadership.

Post-Pandemic Alternative Work Schedules
The pandemic exposed both municipal employers and employees to the possibilities of alternative work schedules and working remotely. This session will explore the issues surrounding alternative work schedules, pros and cons, and how alternative work schedules might be utilized in municipal employment.
Presenter: David Barrett, Director, Personnel Services & Labor Relations, MMA
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following categories: Human Resources and Leadership.

Comprehensive Plans: It’s Not Just for Zoning
Comprehensive Plans are often seen as exhaustive and expensive projects that seem to be kept on a shelf except for zoning projects. It doesn’t have to be this way! Learn how the planning process and the resulting plan can help you manage operations, provide sound long-range capital planning, and help chief elected officials fine-tune their goal-setting procedures. 
Presenters: Anne Krieg, City Planner, City of Bangor; Noel Musson, Principal/Planner, The Musson Group; other panelist TBA
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following category: Finance/Budget and Leadership.

General Assistance 101 – Sponsored by Maine Welfare Directors’ Association (MWDA)
This session will provide an overview of General Assistance and the responsibility of municipalities to administer the program according to State guidelines. This will be a basic presentation with ample time for questions and is ideal for those new to General Assistance.
Presenters: Stacey Parra, Treasurer/Deputy Clerk, Town of Union; KaTina Vanadestine, GA Administrator/Deputy Clerk, City of Ellsworth

Part One: Brownfields How-To: An Interactive FAQ – Sponsored by Maine Community Development Association (MCDA)
This session will provide an overview of Maine’s Brownfield redevelopment program, as well as updates on Maine and federal program priorities, and how to access available grant funds.
Presenters: Nick Hodgkins, Director of the Maine Brownfields Remediation Program; Alan Peterson, Project Manager, EPA Region 1; moderated by: Steve Dyer, Principal/Senior Project Manager, Ransom Consulting

Part Two: Community Successes: Housing and Economic Development Brownfield Reuse Strategies – Sponsored by Maine Community Development Association (MCDA)
Presenters: Tracey Desjardins, Director of Economic Development and Planning, City of Gardiner; Maureen McGlone, Project Manager, Ransom Consulting; Nick Sabatine, Principal & Vice President, Ransom Consulting; Travis Roy, Assistant City Manager, City of Old Town; moderated by: Scott LaFlamme, Director of Economic Development, Town of Yarmouth

12:00 - 1:15 p.m.        FEATURED SPEAKER LUNCHEON

Maine’s Economic Future: Progress, Opportunities, and Challenges
Historic federal resources responsibly allocated through Governor Mills’ Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan have allowed Maine to make significant headway in implementing the state’s 10-Year Economic Development Strategy. Please join Heather Johnson, Maine’s Commissioner for Economic and Community Development, as she provides an update on the plan, and what progress on areas like broadband expansion, housing, and renewable energy mean for Maine municipalities. 
Presenter: Heather Johnson, Maine Commissioner of Economic and Community Development
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following categories: Leadership and Finance/Budget.

1:15 – 2:30 p.m.          Concurrent Sessions

MMA Annual Business Meeting
Please join us as MMA President James Bennett, Vice President Elaine Aloes and Executive Director Cathy Conlow shed light on MMA’s upcoming priorities and reflect on the events and activities in 2022.
Certification: Valid for 1.00 MTCMA Certification credit in the following category: Leadership. 

EMS Informed Community Self-Determination Grants – How to Create Resident Informed Support for EMS Services
Municipalities are struggling to fill crucial public safety roles across the spectrum and as a result Maine’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system is facing significant challenges statewide. This session will provide information on one grass roots facilitated approach for broader community involvement in understanding local pressures. Informed Community Self-Determination (ICSD) can directly involve residents and tax payers in a process to review available local EMS services and create alignment with community response expectations through a newly state funded grant process. ICSD grants use outside expert facilitation to arm the community with information regarding available service levels nearby, conceptualize the level of service desired before it is needed, understanding of what that level of response will cost and offer possible alternatives to achieve the community’s defined goals. The result can improve community support for EMS services by expanding such conversations beyond budgetary reviews alone. EO, PS, BF
Presenters: Sam Hurley, Director, Maine EMS; Kevin McGinnis, Director, Friends of Maine EMS; Jay Bradshaw, Retired Director, Maine Ambulance Association; Chris Baker, Deputy Fire Chief, City of Old Town; Jesse Thompson, EMS Director, Town of Union
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following categories: Leadership and Finance/Budget.

Drafting Town Meeting Warrants, Articles and Ballot questions
Drafting and posting a town meeting warrant requires considerable forethought and careful preparation. This nuts and bolts discussion will cover the legal requirements and time frames applicable to calling open and referendum town meetings and will address essential elements of the warrant including the nature, content and form of the warrant, drafting articles and ballot questions, posting, other special considerations and pitfalls to avoid.
Presenters: Breana Gersen and Rebecca McMahon, Staff Attorneys, MMA Legal Services Department
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following category: Legal.

What You Should Know About Recruiting, Retaining, and Supporting Younger Municipal Workers
Ensuring a healthy municipal workforce in the future necessitates understanding younger workers and how to leverage their talents, as well as how best to recruit, retain, and support them as employees. This panel discussion will feature the perspectives of early-career municipal workers who will offer their thoughts around and experiences in Maine municipal government, as well as address and dispel some of the stereotypes commonly associated with younger workers. This session will be especially helpful for those who are responsible for hiring and supervision, but also anyone who would like to gain insights into generational differences in the workplace.
Panelists: Courtney O’Donnell, Assistant City Manager/HR Director, City of Bangor; Peter Jamieson, Town Manager, Town of Millinocket; Yanina Nickless, Assistant to the Town Manager and HR Administrator, Town of Kennebunkport; Jacob Gran, Town Clerk and Registrar of Voters, Town of Bucksport
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following categories: Human Resources and Leadership.

Senior Tax Statutes: What You Need to Know – Sponsored by Maine Municipal Tax Collectors’ & Treasurers' (MMTCTA) & Maine Government Finance Officers Association (MEGFOA)

Join MMA’s Kate Dufour and MRS’s Peter Lacy to learn the basic parameters of the tax relief programs available to Maine Seniors. This session will tackle the projected changes in the upcoming legislative session, as well as the expectation for future and continued reimbursement to Maine communities.

Presenters: Kate Dufour, Director of Advocacy & Communications, MMA; Peter Lacy, Director, Property Tax Division, Maine Revenue Services 

2:30 – 2:45 p.m.          BREAK

2:45 - 4:00 p.m.          Concurrent Sessions

What We Forgot To Tell You About DEI!
As part of the ongoing Racial Reckoning in America, many local communities have jumped into efforts surrounding DEI: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.  Yet, in the race to try and do the right thing, there may be things overlooked, missed, or lost in understanding along the way.  This session aims to provide the pieces of what you may not know or have misunderstood regarding DEI, to help you better in working through these massive issues.  Maybe you feel like DEI isn’t for your group; learn how it can still benefit you and your communities even though you have gone this long without addressing it. Learn from current Racial Equity and Reconciliation Advocate Dustin Ward, who has continued efforts in launching, facilitating, and guiding DEI committees, groups, and polices in a variety of contexts.
Presenter: Dustin Ward, President/Founder and Racial Equity and Reconciliation Advocate, It Is Time, LLC; and Selectboard Member, Town of New Gloucester
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following categories: Human Resources, Leadership, and Ethics.

Resurgent Community:  One Maine Community’s Journey
Portland Press Herald headline on March 10, 2019 read “Biddeford: Not Your Parents’ City Anymore”. It was not long ago that Biddeford was known as the community with a trash-burning incinerator that dominated its downtown and image. Today, Biddeford is the youngest community in the state and is often featured in mainstream media as among the best places to live in Maine. With a new vibrant downtown that features arts, culture, restaurants and more, the transformation might seem magical to some. In reality, it has taken over a decade to achieve thanks to very deliberate work on the part of community leaders. This session is not simply about the Biddeford story but will feature Biddeford leaders sharing their insights and lessons learned that are applicable to small and large communities alike. 
Presenters: James Bennett, City Manager, City of Biddeford; Alan Casavant, Mayor, City of Biddeford; Norm Belanger, Council President, City of Biddeford 
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following categories: Finance/Budget and Leadership.

Affordable Housing Development – How Municipalities Play a Role in Overcoming the Current Housing Crisis
MaineHousing will discuss affordable housing needs broadly – including what municipalities in Maine have done to clear the way for much needed housing in their communities – as well as how current programs can serve the various needs in municipalities around the State. MaineHousing will walk through the development process, with an eye towards the interaction with the municipality, to give attendees an idea of how developments come to be.
Presenters: Adam Krea, Senior Director of Finance and Lending, MaineHousing; Mark Wiesendanger, Director of Development, MaineHouse
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following categories: Leadership, Elected Relations, and Finance/Budget.

Let’s Chat About Local Roads & Bridges
Don’t miss your chance to have all your burning local roads questions answered! Pete Coughlan will lead a discussion on a variety of issues, including: paving, bridges and minor spans (“Bridge Ranger” services), “Road Ranger” services, traffic issues, salt purchasing, local road inventory, “speed feedback signs” and crosswalk warning beacons, posted roads, and Local Road Assistance funding (LRAP).
Presenter: Peter Coughlan, Director, Local Roads Center, MaineDOT
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following categories: Finance/Budget.

Fire Chief: More Than a Title – Sponsored by Maine Fire Chiefs’ Association (MFCA)
This session will provide an overview of the current issues encountered by fire chiefs, the liability issues incurred by communities, and the Maine Fire Chiefs’ training programs and certification process.
Presenters: Chief William St. Michel (Ret.), MFCA Executive Director; MFCA President Chief Darrell White, City of Presque Isle; MFCA 1^st VP Chief Thomas Higgins, City of Bangor; Chief Geoffrey Low, Town of Orono; Chief Michael Robitaille, Town of Yarmouth
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following categories: Human Resources.

4:00 – 6:30 p.m.          Member Appreciation Reception
Make sure to bring your boogie shoes for this “70’s extravaganza” with Motor Booty Affair, Maine’s “Ultimate Disco Party Band”!

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.          Awards Dinner Banquet

MMA Ethel N. Kelley Memorial Award

Outgoing President’s Remarks

Incoming President Swearing-In Ceremony

7:30 a.m.                     Registration
 

7:30 – 9:00 a.m.          Continental Breakfast
 

9:00 – 10:15 a.m.        WELCOME AND FEATURED SPEAKER

From “Help Wanted” to Help Delivered
Across the state of Maine, one of the most persistent and pressing workforce problems is finding skilled workers. Maine Community College President David Daigler shares how Maine's community colleges are tackling this challenge by taking a fresh, new approach to quickly and capably train more people through groundbreaking partnerships with public and private sector employers and leaders.  Developed in concert with the state's 10-year economic plan, the community college's nimble response is creating effective and immediate workforce solutions just when they’re needed most.
Presenter: David Daigler, President, Maine Community College System; and Maureen O’Brien, Workforce Development Coordinator, Maine Community College System
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following categories: Leadership, Finance/Budget, Human Resources
 

8:30 – 12:00 p.m.      MCAPWA Meeting & Programming

Sponsored by Maine Chapter of American Public Works Association (MCAPWA)

10:15 – 10:30 a.m.      BREAK

10:30 – 11:45 a.m.      Concurrent Sessions

Partnering to Protect Local Election Officials
Municipalities are largely responsible for the administration of federal, state, and local elections. Municipal clerks and their staff work with local, state and federal partners on an ongoing basis to conduct safe and secure elections. Unfortunately, across the country, local election officials are experiencing an unprecedented upsurge in harassment and threats against them in recent years. According to a recent poll, one in six election officials have been threatened, and more than half are concerned about the safety of their colleagues. Keeping these officials, and voters, safe is an increasingly important component of election security. This panel will discuss the partnerships and resources that can be helpful as officials prepare for the 2022 midterm elections and beyond.
Presenters: Liz Howard, Senior Counsel, Brennan Center for Justice; Patti Dubois, City Clerk, City of Waterville; Chris Harvey, Deputy Director, Georgia P.O.S.T., former Georgia Elections Director; Noah Praetz, Election Security Expert Consultant, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following category: Elected Relations and Leadership.

Public Safety Mental Health and Wellness: Why Culturally Competent Providers Matter
Exposure to an excessive number of undesirable events with negative outcomes is part of the job description for public safety professionals and is connected to an increased risk of suicide. This population’s stigma around seeking mental health support is exacerbated by the use of psychological assessment as an employment evaluation tool and a lack of providers who understand police and public safety psychology. Employer investment in improving mental health resiliency is increasingly seen as important to retention, reduction in use of sick time, and improved public interaction outcomes. In this session, municipal officials will learn why culturally competent mental health professionals are important to both assessment and improvement in the psychological health of law enforcement personnel.
Presenter: Lewis Z. Schlosser, PhD, ABP, Managing Partner, Institute for Forensic Psychology, and Member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Psychological Services Section
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following categories: Leadership, Ethics, Human Resources.

“Welcome Home?”: How Municipalities Can Address Challenges Facing Immigrants and New Arrivals
A panel of experts will discuss the multiple challenges facing new arrivals to Maine; housing first and foremost, but also transportation, English language classes, food distribution, healthcare access, and legal services. Learn what the key gaps and challenges facing Maine's immigrant communities are, and how your municipality can help. Both policy success and systemic failures will be discussed.
Presenters: Charlie Gauvin, Jr., Catholic Charities Maine; Fatuma Hussein, Immigrant Resource Center of Maine; Rona Sayed, Afghan Community of Maine; Marpheen Chann, Good Shepherd Food Bank
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following category: Leadership, Ethics, Legal, and Finance/Budget.

Placarded and Vacant Buildings: A Journey from Problem to Opportunity
Sponsored by Maine Building Officials & Inspectors Association (MBOIA)
This session will address events that result in a property being labeled with a condemned or vacant status; interactions with banks, owners, and property maintenance companies; responding to property maintenance complaints; management of placarded and vacant properties lists; removal of condemned or vacant designations; and will provide examples of both successful and unsuccessful outcomes of placarded and vacant properties.
Presenters: Jeff Wallace, Director of Code Enforcement, City of Bangor; Brian Longstaff, Zoning Administrator, Town of Scarborough

Maine Municipal Employee Health Trust Annual Meeting (for MMEHT Members Only)

11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Networking Boxed Luncheon

1:00 – 2:15 p.m.          Concurrent Sessions

From Public to Private: All things PFAS
Local governments were the first responders in the emerging PFAS crisis, now the entire state is mobilizing to remediate and prevent contamination. Across the state PFAS has been detected in public drinking systems, private wells, locally harvested deer and fish, and organic farms, with more sites being identified constantly. Not only does combating the threat and damage of PFAS, or so-called forever chemicals, transcend municipal boundaries, but it also requires technical solutions, financial resources, and undiscovered treatments that are beyond the capabilities of towns and cities. This panel will spotlight the municipal role from a community and a water resource perspective, the state’s role of regulation and coordination, and the private sector contributions.
Presenters: Emily Cole -Prescott, Saco Water Resource Recovery; Michelle Flewelling, Town of Fairfield; Jacalyn Gorczynski, Haley Ward; Susanne Miller, Maine DEP’s Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management
Moderated by Neal Goldberg, Maine Municipal Association
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following category: Leadership and Finance/Budget.

What Happens When It Happens – What Municipal Officials Need to Know About Officer-Involved Shootings and Critical Incident Management
The majority of police-involved shootings and critical incidents in Maine are occurring in rural areas with limited access to services for individuals involved or their families to address escalating behavior before it reaches a violent crisis point, thereby posing a threat to community members and responding police. Drawing from experienced police leadership, officials will learn about what happens post-incident, from policy and procedures for investigations required by statute, multi-agency resources, and media relations to post-incident needs and employee wellbeing considerations. Officials will learn how they can appropriately support their agencies, and public safety employees, and protect the integrity of the investigation process for their communities.
Panelists: Chief Marc Hagen, Topsham; Chief John Kilbride, Falmouth; Chief Jared Mills, Augusta; Brian MacMaster, Retired Chief of Investigations, Office of the Maine Attorney General; Shannon Moss, Public Safety Media Relations Expert, Maine Department of Public Safety; Anna Love, Chief of Investigations, Office of the Maine Attorney General
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following category: Leadership, Human Resources, and Ethics.

Property Tax Deferment and Property Tax Capping for Older Mainers
Sponsored by Maine Association of Assessing Officers (MAAO)
Presenters: Maine State Senator Trey Stewart; others to be announced

What's Your Plan for Bringing Home Broadband?
High-quality, affordable, reliable broadband internet is a necessity for the viability of our towns. Various national assessments put Maine in the bottom tier of US states for speed, quality of service and adoption rates, due to both rural areas and low levels of private investment. After many years of advocacy, the wait is almost over for many communities who have been waiting to get connected. This year, federal funding is becoming available to connect the many parts of Maine that are unserved or poorly served. Maine Broadband Coalition, a non-profit dedicated to making sure that broadband serves all Mainers, will host a session to show how some Maine communities have bridged these divides, walking through the steps of community mobilization, project planning, and build-out of broadband infrastructure improvements with a range of guests from state agencies and municipalities who can speak about what they've achieved and learned along the way. 
Presenters: Myles Smith, Executive Director, Maine Broadband Coalition; Kendra Jo Grindle, Community Capacity Manager, Maine Connectivity Authority
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following category: Leadership, Finance/Budget and Legal. 

MMA and State Agency Updates – Sponsored by Maine Town & City Clerks’ Association (MTCCA)
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.  Intro to Advocacy/ Legislative Update – Kate Dufour, MMA
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.  Vital Records Update – Theresa Roberts, Deputy State Registrar and Kim Haggan, Director, Data, Research and Vital Statistics
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.  Elections Update – Julie Flynn, Deputy Secretary of State and Shenna Bellows, Maine Secretary of State
Certification: Attendance at the MMA Convention is valid for 2 optional points for MTCCA Certification.

2:15 – 3:30 p.m.          Concurrent Sessions

Understanding Cybersecurity Threats that Municipalities Face – and What Steps to Take to Mitigate Risks
Cyberattacks are on the rise and these attacks can lock government officials out of their servers, making it nearly impossible to serve the public and potentially exposing confidential personal information. Understand what basic steps can be taken that can reduce your communities’ risk.
Presenters: Michelle Pelletier, Director Risk Management Services, MMA; Brian McDonald, Director, Administration & IT, MMA
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following category: Leadership, Finance/Budget and Legal.

‘Shut the Front Door’ and Other Reactions to the 2022-2023 Heating Season: Strategies to Reduce Energy Consumption and Save Money
From weather stripping to solar panels, this panel discussion will incorporate perspectives and resources related to technology, strategy and funding to reduce energy consumption in public facilities.
Presenters: John Simko, VP for Government Finance, Androscoggin Bank; Jen Hatch, ReVision Energy; Fred Horch, Spark Applied Efficiency; Brian Wilson, USDA Rural Development; Rick Meinking and Joanna Vollrath, Efficiency Maine
Moderated by: John Simko, VP for Government Finance, Androscoggin Bank
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following category: Leadership and Finance/Budget.

MMA and State Agency Updates cont’d – Sponsored by Maine Town & City Clerks’ Association (MTCCA)
2:00 – 2:30 p.m.  Vital Records Update – Theresa Roberts, Deputy State Registrar and Kim Haggan, Director, Data, Research and Vital Statistics
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.  Elections Update – Julie Flynn, Deputy Secretary of State and Shenna Bellows, Maine Secretary of State
Certification: Attendance at the MMA Convention is valid for 2 optional points for MTCCA Certification.

3:30 p.m.     Convention Adjourns