The 71st Annual Convention of Maine Municipal Association will be held October 3-4 at the Augusta Civic Center. An Opening Luncheon will be the kick-off event for the 2007 MMA Convention, starting at 12 noon on Wednesday, October 3. The exhibit hall will be opening at 11:00 a.m. for those who get to the convention before the Opening Luncheon starts.
Knight Kiplinger will be the guest speaker at the Opening Luncheon. Kiplinger is one of America’s most respected economic journalists and business forecasters. He is president of the Kiplinger organization which produces The Kiplinger Letter, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine and various other publications. (see accompanying article in this issue of the TOWNSMAN).
Roundtables on a variety of subjects will be offered Wednesday afternoon. These roundtables will give attendees an opportunity to discuss the “nuts & bolts” issues of municipal government and get questions answered by experts in the field. Some of the topics that we plan to cover include: LD 1, Municipal Roads, Solid Waste, Public Safety Communications, Media Relations, Tax Increment Financing, Personnel Practices, Revaluations, Conflict Resolution, and Census Information.
Concurrent with the roundtables, MMA will offer two standalone sessions. “Conducting Effective Meetings” will be presented from 2:00-3:30 p.m. Pamela Plumb, former Portland City Councilor and past president of the National League of Cities, will lead this session. “Violence in the Workplace” is a session that will run from 3:30-5:00 p.m. and will be presented by MMA’s Risk Management Services staff.
Wednesday evening starts off with the Welcoming Reception from 5:00-6:00 p.m. followed by the Annual MMA Banquet. This is a change from past years when the banquet was held on Thursday night. A “Murder Mystery” entertainment group will be doing a performance at the banquet to add some fun to this traditional event.
Thursday is MMA Affiliate Group day and many of the groups, including the Maine Town & City Clerks Association, Maine Municipal Tax Collectors & Treasurers Association, Maine Fire Chiefs Association, Maine Town & City Management Association, Maine Association of Assessing Officers, Maine Government Finance Officers Association, Maine Chapter of American Public Works Association, and Maine Resource Recovery Association are participating. Their program offerings are included in this issue of the TOWNSMAN.
MMA is also offering a modified-version of its popular “Elected Officials Workshop” on Thursday morning. This workshop, ordinarily presented by MMA in the spring and late fall, gives selectmen and councilors an overview of Maine municipal government and some of the important issues that guide them in their municipal position. Topics covered include the Right-to-Know law, municipal liability, home rule, conflict of interest, and much more.
At noon, a Networking Luncheon will be held at the Civic Center for Affiliate Group members and other municipal officials. The Thursday luncheon will be followed up by a special “Dessert Social” event with door prize drawings in the exhibit hall from 1:15 – 2:00 p.m. The exhibit hall will close down after this social event.
Concluding the convention, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Thursday, MMA will offer a special program on the recently enacted School Reorganization law. This new law has significant impacts on municipalities and school systems in this state. Headlining a panel presentation on the topic, “Municipal Perspective on the School Reorganization Process” will be Commissioner of Education Susan Gendron. Panelists include Geoff Herman, director of State & Federal Relations at MMA, Richard Lyons, superintendent of SAD 22, Linda McGill, attorney with Bernstein Shur law firm, and Norm Higgin, a DOE facilitator for the school reorganization committees.
General Sessions & Events
Wednesday, October 3
11:00 Registration/Exhibits Open
12:00-1:30 Opening Luncheon
This luncheon kicks off the 2007 MMA Convention. Get here early to tour the exhibit area. At the luncheon you will get to listen to one of the most respected personal finance and economic experts in the country. Advanced reservations required. See Registration Form
Guest Speaker: Knight Kiplinger, President of Kiplinger Washington Editors; Editor-in-Chief of the Kiplinger Letter and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine.
2:00-5:00 Municipal Roundtables
Roundtables are being held on selected topics during this timeframe. Roundtable discussions will start at 2:00; 2:45; 3:30; and 4:15 p.m. Each roundtable will have facilitators/resource people who will start the discussion. Then, the roundtable turns into an interactive discussion by the participants. See article in this issue of the TOWNSMAN for more information on the roundtable topics.
2:00-3:30 Conducting Effective Meetings
Municipal officials attend a lot of meetings. How can you get the most from each of those meetings. A former Portland city councilor, turned meetings’ consultant will provide direction and advice on how to have effective meetings.
Pamela Plumb, Great Meetings!, Inc.
3:30-5:00 Prevention of Crime and Violence in the Municipal Workplace
This seminar will provide a definition of workplace violence and its application to internal and external municipal exposures. Risk factors regarding dealing with the public, fellow employees, robbery and burglary, workspace security, etc. and appropriate physical and procedural preventions will be reviewed. A discussion of emergency planning, policy development and employee training and awareness will be included. Reference materials provided.
MMA Risk Management Services staff; Other speakers TBA
5:00 – 6:00 Welcoming Reception (in exhibit hall)
6:00-9:00 MMA Annual Banquet
This year’s annual banquet includes a “Murder Mystery” entertainment presentation. The business part of the banquet will be “short and sweet”. Advanced reservations required. See Registration Form.
Thursday, October 4
7:00-8:00 Breakfast with the Exhibitors
This is something new… A buffet breakfast is being set up for early Thursday morning and several exhibitors have purchased tables (8 persons to a table) and will be inviting municipal officials to join them. Exhibitors who have purchased tables will be distributing tickets to their municipal invitees on Wednesday.
9:00-12:00 Elected Officials Workshop
MMA is bringing its popular Elected Officials Workshop (EOW) to the convention. This basic training program for selectmen and councilors offers critical information on the structure of local government, municipal liability, the Right-to-Know law, and much more. This workshop will be instructed by attorneys from MMA’s Legal Services department.
12:00-1:15 Networking Luncheon
Relax, talk to friends, and network during this informal luncheon at the Civic Center. Advanced reservations required. See Registration Form.
1:15-2:00 Dessert Social/Door Prize Drawings (in exhibit hall)
2:00-4:00 Municipal Perspective on the School Reorganization Process
Landmark legislation was passed in the last session of the Maine Legislature compelling local school systems to reorganize their administrative structures. This reorganization is on a fast time track and municipal officials’ involvement is extremely important.
Guest Speaker: Susan Gendron, Commissioner, Department of Education
Panelists: Geoff Herman, Director of State & Federal Relations, MMA (moderator)
Richard Lyons, Superintendent, SAD 22
Linda McGill, Attorney, Bernstein Shur
Norm Higgins, Dept. of Education
4:00 Adjourn
Affiliate Group Programs
Maine Association of Assessing Officers
Thursday, October 4
9:00-10:00 MAAO Business Meeting
10:00-10:30 Break
10:30-12:00 Legislative Update
12:00-1:15 Networking Luncheon (see General Sessions)
1:15-2:00 Dessert Social/Door Prizes (in exhibit hall)
2:00-3:30 Role of Assessor as a State Agent
Mike Rogers, Property Tax Division, MRS
Barry Tibbetts, Town Manager, Kennebunk
4:00 Adjourn
Maine Chapter of American Public Works Association
Thursday, October 4
8:30-9:00 MCAPWA Board Meeting/Electionof Officers
9:00-11:30 Programs TBA
11:30-1:00 MCAPWA Luncheon (at Augusta Elks Lodge)
Maine Community Development Association
Thursday, October 4
8:15-9:00 MCDA Business Meeting
9:00-10:15 Affordable Housing Experiences
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-12:00 The CDBG Application Process
12:00-1:15 Networking Luncheon (see General Sessions)
1:15-2:00 Dessert Social/ Door Prizes (in exhibit hall)
Maine Fire Chiefs Association
Wednesday, October 3
9:00-11:30 MFCA Annual Meeting (pre-convention)
Will include Fire Chief of the Year Award, and Past President’s Plaque Presentation.
11:00 Registration/Exhibits Open
12:00-1:30 Opening Luncheon (see General Sessions)
2:00-5:00 Municipal Roundtables (see General Sessions)
2:00-3:30 Conducting Effective Meetings (see General Sessions)
3:30-5:00 Prevention of Crime and Violence in the Municipal Workplace (see General Sessions)
Thursday, October 4
7:00-8:00 Breakfast with the Exhibitors
See General Sessions & Events for details.
9:00-12:00 Managing Culture Change in a Municipal Environment
John Nass, Attorney, Jensen Baird Gardner & Henry
12:00-1:15 Networking Luncheon (see General Sessions)
1:15-2:00 Dessert Social/Door Prizes (in exhibit hall)
2:00-4:00 Municipal Perspective on the School Reorganization Process (see General Sessions)
4:00 Adjourn
Maine Government Finance Officers Association
Thursday, October 4
8:30-10:00 Lobby and Treasury Security
10:15-11:45 Financial Technology
11:45-12:00 MGFOA Annual Meeting
12:00-1:15 Networking Luncheon (see General Sessions)
1:15-2:00 Dessert Social/Door Prizes (in exhibit hall)
2:00-4:00 Municipal Perspective on the School Reorganization Process (see General Sessions)
4:00 Adjourn
Maine Municipal Tax Collectors & Treasurers Association
Thursday, October 4
9:00-10:15 What You Need for Year-end Audit
Greg Chabot, Runyon, Kersteen & Ouellette
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-12:00 Bankruptcy: What do these orders mean?
Jim Moeller, Attorney, James F. Molleur, LLC
12:00-1:15 Networking Luncheon (see General Sessions)
4:00 Adjourn
1:15-2:00 Dessert Social/Door Prizes (in exhibit hall)
3:30 Adjourn
Maine Town & City Clerks Association
Thursday, October 4
10:00-11:00 Elections
Julie Flynn, Deputy Secretary of State
11:00-11:45 Validation Referendum for Schools
Kate Dufour, Legislative Advocate, MMA
12:00-1:30 MTCCA Luncheon & Business Meeting
1:15-2:00 Dessert Social/Door Prizes (in exhibit hall)
2:00-2:30 Vital Statistics
Don Lemieux, Registrar of Vital Statistics
2:30-3:00 Animal Welfare Update
Louise Lester, Town Clerk, Raymond; Chair of the MTCCA Animal Welfare Working Committee
3:00-4:00 Notary Public – New Law Changes
Tim Poulin, Director of Notary Public Division, Dept. of Secretary of State
4:00 Adjourn
Maine Town & City Management Association
Thursday, October 4
7:30-8:00 MTCMA Bd of Directors Breakfast Mtg.
9:00-12:00 Managing Culture Change in a Municipal Environment
John Nass, Attorney, Jensen Baird Gardner & Henry
12:00-1:15 Networking Luncheon (see General Sessions)
1:15-2:00 Dessert Social/Door Prizes (in exhibit hall)
2:00-4:00 Municipal Perspective on the School Reorganization Process (see General Sessions)
4:00 Adjourn
Maine Resource Recovery Association
Thursday, October 4
Solid Waste Issues for Town Officials
8:00 - 8:50 Overview of Current Issues (efficiency, safety, regulations, etc.)
9:00 - 9:50 Solid Waste as Seen by the Town Manager
10:00-10:50 Full-cost Accounting for Solid Waste
11:00-11:30 Q & A
12:00-1:15 Networking Luncheon (see General Sessions)
1:15-2:00 Dessert Social/Door Prizes (in exhibit hall)
Maine Welfare Directors Association
Wednesday, October 3
3:30-5:00 Prevention of Crime and Violence in the Municipal Workplace (see General Sessions)
Thursday, October 4
8:30-10:00 GA Basics
Topics to include funerals, complicated applications such as households with shared custody, workrelated issues, Emergencies, Poverty Abatements, and Hot-line questions.
10:00-10:15 Break
10:15-10:30 MWDA Business Meeting
10:30-12:00 GA Basics (cont’d)
12:00-1:15 Networking Luncheon (see General Sessions)
1:15-2:00 Dessert Social/Door Prizes (in exhibit hall)
2:00-4:00 Municipal Perspective on the School Reorganization Process (see General Sessions)