7:30 a.m. - Registration
7:30 - 9:00 a.m. - Continental Breakfast
8:00 a.m. - Exhibit Hall Opens
7:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - MCAPWA Fall Meeting
Sponsored by Maine Chapter of American Public Works Association (MCAPWA)
7:30 – 8:30 am: Registration and Breakfast Buffet in the Exhibit Area
8:30 – 8:45 am: Opening Remarks – Ralph Norwood, MCAPWA President
8:45 – 9:30 am: Maine Department of Transportation Update – Bruce Van Note, MaineDOT Commissioner
9:30-10:15 am: Village Partnership Initiative (VPA) & Planning Partnership Initiative (PPI) Programs – Dale Doughty, MaineDOT Planning Director
10:15 – 10:30 am: Break
10:30 – 10:45 am: Upcoming Training Sessions by Maine Local Roads Center – Peter Coughlan, P.E., MaineDOT Maine Local Roads Center Director
10:45 – 11:45 am: Ground and Structure Surveys using a UAV/Drone – Wright-Pierce: Chris Hinkley, Civil BIM Manager; Ryan Beisaw, Civil Designer/Drone Pilot; and Jason Gallant, P.E., Transportation Infrastructure Group Lead
12:00 pm: Lunch at Civic Center
9:00 - 10:15 am - Welcome and Featured Speaker
It’s Not About Me, It’s Not About Now
There is a profound sense of pain that has settled into the day-to-day work that local government leaders are facing. It's isolating. It's demoralizing. But the work being done is necessary and important. How are leaders supposed to rise to both the "usual" and the extraordinary challenges facing local governments today? By remembering: it's not about me, and it's not about now.
Presenter: Ron Holifield, Chief Executive Officer, Strategic Government Resources and former City Manager
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following categories: Leadership, Human Resources, Ethics, and Elected Relations
10:15 - 10:45 am - Exhibit Hall Break
10:45 am - 12:00 pm Concurrent Session Block #4
When the Worst Happens - Understanding Trauma
Wendy Wollner, Founder and CEO of Balancing Life Issues, will discuss traumatic stress and recognizing its symptoms in the workplace. She will talk about the types of trauma, which employees are most susceptible to it, and how it impacts them, their lives and their work. She will also discuss what leaders should and shouldn’t do to respond. Representatives from MMA Risk Management and the Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust will conclude the session with a brief discussion of the resources offered through MMA to address mental health in Maine.
Presenters: Wendy Wollner, Founder & CEO, Balancing Life Issues; and staff from MMA Risk Management Services and the Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following category: Leadership and Human Resources.
Supervisory Leadership: How Do We Manage “Self”
Our leadership class is rooted in “managing self.” How can we start managing people without first understanding ourselves? What are your triggers, your hurts, and your hangups? If you don’t know, ask your employees! This interactive session will unpack concepts such as identifying triggers and what it costs when you don’t. Is there such a thing as being too empathic? Or, even what is an empathic response? We will talk about what vulnerabilities are, how power vs. authority, and observations vs. interpretations differ. Participants will take away the overall theme of the class: leaders and managers need to understand themselves before ever trying to influence others.
Presenter: Adam Gormely, Manager, Dirigo Risk Management Services
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following categories: Leadership, Ethics, Human Resources.
Energy Efficiency Finance Mechanisms for Municipalities - C-PACE and Municipal Leases
Efficiency Maine’s Green Bank offers a suite of financing initiatives to support energy projects to help Maine’s homes and businesses lower their energy bills and reduce their carbon emissions. These financing initiatives are designed to drive private capital into market gaps for energy efficiency and clean energy equipment and services. Recently, the Green Bank launched two exciting finance initiatives for municipalities: the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program and Municipal Lease initiatives. Municipal leases help municipalities and schools expedite energy efficiency upgrades directly, while C-PACE loans stimulate energy efficiency upgrades at commercial properties elsewhere in the community. These financing tools serve as an important complement to the Trust’s other incentives for residents and businesses. Join us and learn more about these opportunities.
Presenters: James Neal, Senior Program Manager for Finance Initiatives, Efficiency Maine; John Simko, Director of Government Banking, Androscoggin Bank; and Troy Moon, Sustainability Coordinator, City of Portland
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following category: Finance/Budget.
Developing or Revamping Your Safety Program
This session will provide important foundational knowledge to help participants understand what a comprehensive safety program is and the steps needed to implement one in their workplace. It will be ideal for any human resources professionals and managers looking to improve or develop a comprehensive safety plan. Participants will also gain familiarity with resources and toolkits to assist in the process.
Presenters: John Waterbury, Senior Loss Control Consultant, and Jason Johnson,
Loss Control Consultant, MMA Risk Management Services
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following category: Leadership, Human Resources, and Finance/Budget.
Stay Connected: Broadband Opportunities for Maine Communities
Sponsored by the Maine Community Development Association (MCDA)
The Maine Community Development Association (MCDA) will host a panel discussion focusing on community broadband solutions for municipalities. From effective community outreach to building fiber infrastructure, learn best practices from State agencies and neighboring communities.
Presenters: Clara McCool, Regional Broadband Coordinator, Greater Portland Council of Governments; Kendra Jo Grindle, Community & Regional Partnerships Senior Manager, Maine Connectivity Authority; Nick Battista, Chair, Maine Broadband Coalition & Chief Policy Officer, Island Institute; Marci
Gaglione, Affordable Connectivity Program Manager, National Digital Equity
Center
12:00 - 1:15 p.m. - Featured Speaker Luncheon
Leading for Economic Innovation and Prosperity
Maine Development Foundation CEO Yellow Light Breen – who has led transformative initiatives in state government, in the private sector, and as nonprofit partner – will speak on the changing nature of Maine’s economy, demographics, and opportunities. Communities play a critical role in nurturing innovation, sustainability, and a viable workforce. Innovative approaches to heritage industries, to community development, and to civic leadership are essential and possible to seize the future we want for the people of Maine and for each of our communities.
Presenter: Yellow Light Breen, President & CEO, Maine Development Foundation
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following category: Leadership, Finance/Budget, and Human Resources.
1:15 - 2:30 p.m. - Concurrent Session Block #5
What’s New With the Maine Municipal Employees’ Health Trust?
The Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust was founded in 1983 with the goal of containing healthcare costs while maintaining quality benefit programs and providing superior services for municipal employees. On the occasion of the Trust’s 40th Anniversary, staff will share a bit of interesting history, discuss the Trust’s current status and finances, and share some thoughts on plans to enhance services and offerings for the future.
Presenters: Staff from the Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust
Municipal Internships: Engaging Fresh Perspectives in Local Government
Municipal internships are an excellent way to introduce students to careers in local government and help them make professional connections and engage in meaningful work experiences. They can also provide municipalities of all shapes and sizes the chance to hire students with fresh perspectives who can contribute to their communities in meaningful and tangible ways. Utilizing a variety of partners and resources available across the state, municipalities can get support for setting up and facilitating an internship. This session will provide information on the benefits of engaging an intern from the perspectives of both internship supervisors and previous interns; highlight best practices for structuring and setting up an internship; and provide an overview of the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center Government Internship program and application process.
Presenters: Jay Feyler, Town Manager, Town of Union; Christine Landes, Town Manager, Town of Chelsea; Peggy McKee, Internship Program Coordinator, Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center; Danica Lamontagne, Assistant to the City Manager, City of Biddeford; Nadia Crockett-Current, HR/Payroll Assistant, Town of Kennebunkport; Shannon Chisholm, Assistant City Planner, City of Saco
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following category: Leadership and Human Resources.
Addressing Common Challenges to Municipal Audits
The pandemic and Maine’s current labor market, among other things, have presented some unique challenges to municipalities related to completing annual audits. For example, some municipalities have found it difficult to secure an auditor, or have gotten a few years behind in their audits and are not sure how to get caught up, or are not sure how remote workers will affect their internal controls, just to name a few. This panel discussion will provide various perspectives and advice on these challenges and others, and present an opportunity for Q&A with town and city representatives.
Presenters: Marc Roy, Partner, Royer Advisors and Accountants; Ron Smith, Managing Partner, RHR Smith & Company; Matthew Dunlap, State Auditor, Office of the Maine State Auditor; Paula Gravelle, Director of School Finance, Maine Department of Education; Marcus
Pratt, Manager, Runyon Kersteen Ouellette;
Bruce Miller, Chief Credit
Administrator, Androscoggin Bank;
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following category: Leadership and Finance/Budget.
The Code Enforcement Officer as an Asset to the Community – Sponsored by the Maine Building Officials’ and Inspectors’ Association (MBOIA)
A discussion on how the CEO is a vital part of community development and the challenges that creates.
Presenters: Mark Stambach, Code Enforcement Officer/LPI, Town of Lisbon, and President, MBOIA; others TBD
1:15 - 4:00 p.m. - National Incident Management System Overview for Senior Officials (NIMS 402 Training)
Sponsored by the Maine Fire Chiefs’ Association (MFCA)
The purpose of this course is to familiarize Senior Officials (executives, elected and appointed officials, city/county managers, agency administrators, etc.) with their role in supporting incident management within the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to explain National Incident Management System (NIMS) tenets and the role of the four command and coordination entities (ICS, EOC, MAC Group and JIS) within NIMS.
Presenter: Chief Kenneth Brillant, Fire Chief, Town of Brunswick and Treasurer, Maine Fire Chiefs’ Association
2:30 - 2:45 p.m. - Break
2:45 - 4:00 p.m. - Concurrent Session Block #6
Collective Tools, Collateral Considerations; The Federal, State and Local Landscape on Addressing The Housing Crisis
From the long-standing lack of Federal housing investment to the response to 2007 banking crisis, the impacts of government policy has helped to shape the current housing market crisis. With the same key economic players driving policy conversations now, what are the lessons for current policy? How are communities across the nation responding? What should municipalities think about around housing? Join the National League of Cities Program Officer, Lauren Lowry and NLC advocacy staff, the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and The Future (GOPIF), Ryan Fecteau and MMA’s Senior Legislative Advocate Rebecca Graham and learn what tools exist at the state and federal level to help municipalities, what legislative policies that await discussion in the 2nd Regular Session of the 131st, and how can municipal leaders help add clarity to the policy debate.
Presenters: Rebecca Graham, Senior Legislative Advocate, MMA; Michael
Wallace, Legislative Director for Housing, Community and Economic Development,
National League of Cities;
Ryan Fecteau, Senior Advisor, Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future; Jackie
Weaver, Selectboard Member, Town of Gouldsboro
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following category: Legal, Finance/Budget, and Elected Relations.
Tools and Tactics to Reduce Information Security Risks
All organizations are experiencing increased cyber security threats and costs associated with prevention and restoration after a security incident. This session will discuss ways that your municipality can reduce the risk of an attack and demystify some of those common acronyms used in the industry. Topics will include Multi-factor authentication, Cloud service risks, Security Information Event Management (SIEM), Anti-virus/malware products EDR/XDR, user account management, SCADA (controls/monitoring) for utility districts, data backup methods and tips for getting through audits, handling credit cards, and how to qualify for cyber liability insurance.
Presenter: Rob Herman, Strategic Consultant, WGTech
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following category: Leadership and Finance/Budget.
Past, Present, and Future of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy – Sponsored by the Maine Town, City, and County Management Association (MTCMA)
Learn more about the past, present and future of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. Jack Peck, Director, and Board of Trustee members will offer an update on a recent strategic plan for the academy that will impact the training of Maine’s future law enforcement officers. There will also be an opportunity to learn about the myths and realities of the wait lists for cadets to get a spot in future classes.
Presenters: Jack Peck, Director, Maine Criminal Justice Academy; others TBD
Certification: Valid for 1.25 MTCMA Certification credits in the following category: Leadership and Human Resources.
4:00 p.m. - Convention Adjourns