The 351

Municipal finance, which touches nearly every service residents rely on, is a specialized field. In this episode, Sean Cronin, Senior Deputy Commissioner of the Massachusetts Division of Local Services, discusses how his agency supports cities and towns across the Commonwealth as they manage public resources.

Cronin explains the dual role of DLS as a regulatory agency and a technical assistance partner — helping communities navigate everything from property tax administration and free cash certification to long-range financial planning and workforce development. He also shares how DLS is working to make municipal finance more accessible through training programs, online resources, and partnerships with community colleges.

The conversation explores topics including financial resilience, the importance of long-term planning, and the impact of new growth under Proposition 2½.

For Further Reading: 

Learn more about DLS: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/dls-senior-deputy-commissioner-and-bureaus

Learn more about Mass financial policies: https://www.mma.org/mma-webinar-with-dls-covers-financial-policies/

Proposition 2 ½: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/proposition-2-12-and-tax-rate-process

To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org

As misinformation spreads online, and residents expect instant updates, municipalities are under growing pressure to communicate clearly, effectively, and in a way that bolsters public trust. Some cities and towns have dedicated communications resources while others don’t, but they all face similar challenges – in an era increasingly dominated by social media and now AI. In this episode, we hear from Jeremy Warnick, Director of Media Relations and Content Strategy at the City of Cambridge, and Sean Dugan, Deputy Town Administrator in Easton, about communications strategies that really work, and why cities and towns increasingly need to act as their own media organizations.

For Further Reading: 

Learn more about the Massachusetts Municipal Communicators: 

https://www.mma.org/mma-launches-mass-municipal-communicators-group/

To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org

Leadership is tough at any level, but working in local government presents a unique set of challenges – and requires specific skills. Executive coaches and leadership consultants Betsy and Anthony Neptune of Neptune Coaching have spent years helping municipal leaders fortify their skill set. They share why technical expertise doesn’t always translate into effective management, how municipal leaders can build trust and navigate conflict, and why workplace culture is really about “patterns of behavior,” not slogans written on a wall.

For Further Reading: 

More about Neptune Coaching: https://www.neptunecoaching.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Creating a Culture of Collaboration: https://www.mma.org/resource/creating-a-culture-of-collaboration-helping-staff-with-problem-solving/

To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org

MMA Membership Director Jackie Lavender Bird has been a city councillor, mayoral chief of staff, and a former MMA legislative leader, which means she can share a 360-degree view of local government. In this episode, she shares what she’s hearing from municipal officials who are navigating today’s fiscal pressures and rapid technological change. Bird discusses the professional development, peer learning, webinars, and events that the MMA offers to help members navigate difficult conversations, strengthen public trust, and communicate effectively — and the resilience of local leaders working to keep communities moving forward despite mounting challenges.

For Further Reading: 

Bird Becomes MMA’s Membership Director: https://www.mma.org/as-pierce-retires-bird-becomes-mmas-membership-director/

MMA Events calendar: https://www.mma.org/event/

MMA Webinars program: https://www.mma.org/webinars/

MMA Members page: https://www.mma.org/members/

To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org

Massachusetts is home to some of the best health care in the world, but it’s also one of the most expensive places to get it. Sarah Iselin, President and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, unpacks what’s driving the surge in health care costs, and shares how insurers, providers, and policymakers are responding — and why none of the solutions come without trade-offs. The conversation digs into the real-world impact on municipal budgets, the limits of shifting costs to consumers, and the difficult choices leaders are facing between funding health care and investing in their communities. Iselin outlines where innovation is creating hope — from new care models and digital tools to prevention, primary care investment, and stronger collaboration across the system.

For Further Reading: 

Health care costs: Defining the challenge and finding solutions: https://www.mma.org/advocacy/health-care-costs-defining-the-challenge-and-finding-solutions/

Multiple factors contribute to rising health care costs: https://www.mma.org/multiple-factors-contribute-to-rising-health-care-costs/

MMA forum explores health cost drivers, possible remedies: https://www.mma.org/mma-forum-explores-health-cost-drivers-possible-remedies/

Blue Cross CEO says she's taking cost controls seriously in negotiations with hospitals: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/24/business/blue-cross-health-care-costs/

The urgency of tackling health care affordability: https://commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/the-urgency-of-tackling-health-care-affordability/

To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org