TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE
The 2007 MMA Technology Conference will be held on Monday, March 19, at the Augusta Civic Center. This conference is co-sponsored by the Maine GIS Users Group.
The daylong conference starts with Maine Chief Information Officer Richard Thompson discussing the state’s progress on the technology front. In July 2005, Thompson began a major transformation of information technology (IT) in state government. A centralized and modernized enterprise structure for IT was formed and it brought improved services to Maine citizens, enhanced security, and cost effectiveness. The state’s newest initiative is the redevelopment of the state’s public safety radio network, with opportunity for joint partnership with local and county public safety agencies.
Throughout the day, sessions will be held on such topics as Emerging Communications Technologies, Website Development, Planning for Paperless, Computer Security and Disaster Recovery, Remote (Check) Capture, Email Polices & Precautions, Interactive Websites, Maine.gov/InforME Municipal Services Update and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
The conference will have about 60 exhibitors, social events and a luncheon. The luncheon will feature Maine Humorist Gary Crocker, who has prepared a skit especially for this conference.
Registration for the conference can be done online at www.memun.org or you can get a registration form from last month’s issue of the Townsman (pages 27-28) For more information, call MMA’s Training & Affiliate office at 1-800-452-8786.
GRANT WRITING
A Grant Writing Workshop will be offered by MMA at the Waterville Elks Lodge on March 28. This workshop discusses grant writing and funding sources for grants that municipalities might be interested in.
Registration is $50. For more information, contact the MMA Training & Affiliate office at 1-800-452-8786.
PB/BA WORKSHOP
The first of several offerings this year of the MMA workshop for members of local planning boards and boards of appeal will held on March 15 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn. This workshop runs from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
This workshop is designed to provide a basic introduction to the various legal rules that govern decisions make by planning boards and land use appeals boards.
Registration is $35. For more information, contact the MMA Training & Affiliate office, 1-800-452-8786.
TAX LIENS
The Tax Liens Workshop, sponsored by the Maine Municipal Tax Collectors & Treasurers Association (MMTCTA), will be held at two locations in March: at Keeley’s in Portland on March 21 and at the Black Bear Inn in Orono on March 22.
Registration is $45 for MMTCTA members and $55 for non-members. For more information, contact MMA Training & Affiliate office at 1-800-452-8786.
BLAINE HOUSE CONFERENCE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS
The 4 th Annual Blaine House Conference for First Responders will be held March 12-13 at the Bangor Civic Center/Auditorium.
This two-day conference will provide lots of training and networking opportunities for fire, rescue, EMS, law enforcement, emergency management officials and other state and local officials.
Topics that will be covered include: building ventilation, cancer and cyanide poisoning, pandemic flu planning, recruitment and retention of personnel, and residential sprinkler systems.
For more information, contact the MMA Training & Affiliate office, 1-800-452-8786.
MMA ‘FRONT PORCH’ MEETINGS
MMA has scheduled 16 ‘Front Porch’ meetings around the state February-May to provide a follow-up to the 2006 MMA Membership Survey conducted last fall. MMA staff and Executive Committee members are looking to get feedback on some key areas of MMA services identified in the survey.
The meeting schedule is printed on page 28 of this TOWNSMAN. Invitations to attend the meeting will be sent to town offices immediately prior to meetings in a particular area of the state. All municipal officials are welcome to attend.
For more information, contact Theresa Chavarie, manager of Member Relations at MMA, 1-800-452-8786.