Opioid grants help make up for new federal restrictions Northampton is among the Massachusetts cities ready to give out grants from the state’s opioid settlement fund. The state is set to get $1 billion dollars from the national settlement with drug makers over the two decades.

Opioid grants being used to help compensate for federal government’s changing priorities on substance use prevention. via @nepublicmedia.bsky.social

Easthampton may seek $5.8M tax override to help close budget deficit - Daily Hampshire Gazette EASTHAMPTON — City officials are weighing whether to ask voters to approve a roughly $5.8 million Proposition 2½ override this spring after discovering the full magnitude of a large deficit that has grown to upward of $7 million heading into fiscal year 2027. Easthampton joins other communities in the Valley, including Southampton, Westhampton and South Hadley, […]

Easthampton may seek $5.8M tax override to help close budget deficit. via @dailyhampgazette.bsky.social

Cannabis reform bill passes Massachusetts Legislature. Here's what it would change. via @cbsnews.com

MMA & Suffolk University kicked off the online spring 2026 Municipal Human Resources Seminar this morning! This is the 7th session of the program, with 25 students participating. www.mma.org/suffolk

Addressing municipal budget needs fits in with larger public discussions around economic pressures & rising costs that everyone faces, Koffman said. “If we’re talking about affordability, this is core to it.”

MMA Legislative Director Dave Koffman discusses MMA’s “Perfect Storm” & “Navigating the Storm” reports, which analyze fiscal challenges facing municipalities & recommend measures to put #localgov on more solid financial footing. At Mass. Municipal Councillors’ Assn mtg in Watertown

Watertown Auditor Megan Langan says careful financial management has allowed her city to fund several school building projects & retain budget flexibility for other priorities, while navigating challenging economic conditions. At Mass. Municipal Councillors’ Assn meeting in Watertown.

Meredith Harris, Director of Marlborough Economic Development Corp, discusses efforts to help small biz & attract corporations at Mass. Municipal Councillors’ Assn mtg in Watertown. “We’re trying to put Marlborough on the map, not just for the Commonwealth, but for the entire country."

Why communities across Mass. may soon vote to raise property taxes Cities and towns across Massachusetts are dealing with budget shortfalls and looking to tax hikes provided by Prop 2.5 overrides to solve the issue.

Why communities across Mass. may soon vote to raise property taxes. via @nbcboston.com

State awards $3.38 million to reduce diesel emissions - Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) The Healey-Driscoll administration on March 26 announced $3.38 million in grants to seven entities to purchase electric vehicles or replace outdated diesel-fueled equipment. The Electric Solicitation ...

The Healey-Driscoll administration on March 26 announced $3.38 million in grants to seven entities to purchase electric vehicles or replace outdated diesel-fueled equipment.

DOER certifies 7 new Climate Leader Communities - Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) The Department of Energy Resources on March 26 announced that seven cities and towns met the requirements to become the state’s third group of Climate Leader Communities. The newly certified communiti...

The Department of Energy Resources on March 26 announced that seven cities and towns met the requirements to become the state’s third group of Climate Leader Communities.

The 351 Podcast - Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)

We’re highlighting the winners of MMA Municipal Innovation Awards on a bonus episode of The 351! From photography exhibits in Andover to food security in North Attleboro and youth mentoring in Amherst, these towns are proving that local government is a hub for creativity! www.mma.org/the351

Why many Massachusetts cities and towns are facing a fiscal crunch Tight tax rules and growing expenses are putting Massachusetts communities in a fiscal bind.

Why many Massachusetts cities and towns are facing a fiscal crunch. via @wbur.org

Mass. Senate tees up vote on $1.8B bill to aid struggling schools, towns. What it means to you "We are hearing a lot from our municipalities that ... they are hurting,” Senate President Karen E. Spilka, D-Middlesex/Norfolk, told MassLive.

Mass. Senate tees up vote on $1.8B bill to aid struggling schools, towns. What it means to you. via @masslive.bsky.social

Malden faces ‘painful’ cuts after voter reject first-ever tax override With a turnout of 15% of registered voters, the $5.4 million override option fell short by just 124 votes.

Malden faces ‘painful’ cuts after voter reject first-ever tax override. via @wgbh.org

Boston’s new arts chief wants to keep artists in the city After a year-long search, Joseph Henry, a native Londoner, has been selected to lead the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture. He plans to bring his planning and development experience to the role. “Acc...

Boston’s new arts chief wants to keep artists in the city. via @wbur.org

North Attleboro schools hit by suspected cyberattack NORTH ATTLEBORO — The local school department’s internet network has been hit by a suspected cyberattack.

North Attleboro schools hit by suspected cyberattack. via The Sun Chronicle

'Serious cyberattack' impacts Mass. regional emergency communication center Some phone lines are down, and the towns are working with experts to figure out what data may have been compromised.

'Serious cyberattack' impacts phones, public safety systems in several Massachusetts towns. via @wcvb5.bsky.social

MMA publishes April issue of The Beacon - Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) The MMA today published the April 2026 issue of The Beacon, which features coverage of the latest news affecting local government on topics including legislative and fiscal issues, grant opportunities...

The MMA published the April 2026 issue of The Beacon, which features coverage of the latest news affecting local government on topics including legislative and fiscal issues, grant opportunities, and recent and upcoming MMA meetings and webinars.

Malden residents vote down first-ever tax override Tuesday's vote was the first in a Gateway City in 17 years to attempt a Proposition 2 ½ override tax hike.

Malden residents vote down city's first-ever tax override. via @wgbh.org

Municipal budgets feeling pain of rising health care costs - Daily Hampshire Gazette BOSTON — Escalating health care costs are adding mounting pressure on local school budgets, just as they are everywhere in Massachusetts, but so far cost containment doesn’t seem to be on Beacon Hill’...

Municipal budgets feeling pain of rising health care costs. via @dailyhampgazette.bsky.social

Mansfield Fire Department to launch regional field transfusion unit MANSFIELD — A new, special program will improve the fire department’s ability to help save lives at trauma scenes in the region.

Mansfield Fire Department to launch regional field transfusion unit. via The Sun Chronicle

Boston faces $48 million budget gap The gap, driven in part by snow removal, overtime and soaring health care costs, represents about 1% of the city's annual budget, according to the city's chief financial officer.

Boston faces $48 million budget gap. via @wbur.org

The 351 Podcast - Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)

On The 351 podcast, MMA Chief Equity Officer Jill Harvey joins us to discuss why equity is found in all the details of local government, like trash collection and accessibility, and why that matters for every resident in Mass. www.mma.org/the351

Arlington voters overwhelmingly approve $14.8 million override – Your Arlington

Arlington voters overwhelmingly approve $14.8 million override
yourarlington.com/2026/03/town...

What's next after override fails? WINCHESTER - With the $11.5M override failing last Saturday during the town’s annual spring elections, what does this mean for the FY27 budget that Town Meeting will vote on in

What's next, after Winchester override fails?
homenewshere.com/daily_times_...

Lexington Public Schools to cut scores of teachers and other staffers - The Boston Globe Like many districts, Lexington is grappling with a budget crisis that is prompting drastic measures: cutting about 65 teachers, classroom aides, and other staffers and issuing non-renewal letters to a...

Lexington Public Schools to cut scores of teachers and other staffers. via @bostonglobe.com

‘That comes with a price tag’: How snow removal is busting town budgets - The Boston Globe After the snowiest winters in years, towns are figuring out who is going to foot the bill for cleanup.

The new way climate change is busting town budgets: snow removal. via @bostonglobe.com

What the Heck is Going On With Municipal Healthcare Costs in Massachusetts? Listen now | Across Massachusetts, a quiet financial catastrophe is forcing local governments to make agonizing choices.

What the Heck is Going On With Municipal Healthcare Costs in Massachusetts?
www.southshore.news/p/what-the-h...

Boston becomes first major U.S. city to mandate AI training in public high schools. via @masslive.bsky.social