KP Law P.C. eUpdates/Resources
Please find below a current listing of KP Law’s eUpdates as well as our handouts from MMA Annual Meetings in years past. For a complete listing of KP Law’s eUpdates from 2016 to present, please click here. Note, some of the older versions of our eUpdates are out of date. If you have any questions or would like to obtain a copy of a particular eUpdate, kindly email Amy Morin at [email protected]
MASC/M.A.S.S. 2024 Joint Conference
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Supreme Court Issues Guidance on Use of Social Media |
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Supreme Judicial Court Declares Public Comment “Civility” Policy Unconstitutional |
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Fair Labor Standards Act |
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SCOTUS – Boston’s Flag-Raising Decision Unconstitutional |
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Open Meeting Law Decisions of Note |
2024 eUpdates
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December 12 – Chapter 238 of the Acts of 2024: An Act Relative to Strengthening Massachusetts’ Economic Leadership |
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December 12 – Recent Changes in Tax Title Foreclosure Procedures |
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September 12 – Recent Treasury Guidance Offers New Flexibility Concerning ARPA Funds |
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August 31 – State Primary 2024 |
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August 26 – Recent Changes in Tax Title Foreclosure Procedures |
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August 23 – An Act Relative to Salary Range Transparency |
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August 13 – An Act Relative to the Affordable Homes Act |
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July 24 – Supreme Court Issues Guidance on Use of Social Media |
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July 8 – Changes to FLSA’s salary thresholds for exempt employees now in effect |
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June 28 – New Developments Regarding Marijuana Host Community Agreements |
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June 3 – Changes to Alcohol Licensing Laws |
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May 15 – Massachusetts Superior Court Rules Tax Title Statute Unconstitutional |
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May 7 – Opioid Litigation Update |
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February 23 – PFAS Litigation Updates and Deadlines |
2024 Massachusetts Municipal Association Annual Meeting Handouts
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Municipal Finance Law Updates |
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SJC Extends “Totality of the Circumstances” Test in Determining Whether Land is Held for Specific Municipal Purpose |
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Conflict of Interest Law – Hiring or Supervising Family Members |
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Recent Open Meeting Law Decisions |
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Cannabis Control Commission Regulatory Amendments Impacting Municipalities (Part I) |
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Cannabis Control Commission Regulatory Amendments Impacting Municipalities (Part II) |
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Cannabis Control Commission Regulatory Amendments Impacting Municipalities (Part III) |
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EOHLC Updates to Compliance Guidelines for MBTA Communities |
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Constitutional Considerations in 2024 |
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Navigating the Uncertainty Over Tax Title Surplus Proceeds: DLS Offers Interim Guidance to Municipalities and Local Finance Officials |
2023 eUpdates
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September 11 – FY 24 State Budget Change to Standards for Investment of Trust Funds in Municipalities |
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July 11 – Initial Policies and Procedures to Promote Equity in the Cannabis Industry |
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June 12 – Important Information Regarding Your Water District Contamination Claim |
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June 12 – SCOTUS Decision Casts Doubt on Tax Foreclosure Sales in MA |
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May 2 – Notice to Quit and Eviction Actions |
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March 30 – Pandemic Related Legal Updates |
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March 8 – SJC Declares Public Comments Policy Unconstitutional |
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February 24 – No Bargaining Obligation for Fire Chief Promotional Process and Similar Exempt Managerial Positions |
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February 16 – Article 97 Requirements Codified |
2023 Massachusetts Municipal Association Annual Meeting Handouts
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Evolution of a Chapter 40B Project |
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Evolution of a Chapter 40B Project |
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Process for Amending a Zoning Bylaw or Ordinance |
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Legislative Update: Renewable Energy and Agricultural Land |
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DHCD Issues Final Compliance Guidelines for MBTA Communities |
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Legislative Update: Uniform Procurement Act and Municipal Finance Laws for School Districts |
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Marijuana Reform: Parts I and II |
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Opioid Settlements: Allocation of Funds |
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Alcohol Licensing: Current Issues |
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POST Commission Regulations: Update |
2022 eUpdates
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November 8 – PFAS Fall 2022 Update |
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October 19 – Marijuana Reform Part II – An Act Relative to Equity in the Cannabis Industry |
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October 12 – SJC Finds Local Zoning Prohibition on Solar Energy Systems Unlawful |
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October 3 – Massachusetts CROWN Act |
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September 6 – Marijuana Reform – Host Community Agreements |
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August 11 – General Bylaw Ban on Marijuana Establishments Upheld by SJC |
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July 26 – Update on Fire Arms Licensing |
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July 15 – Open Meeting Law Legislative Update as of July 14, 2022 |
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July 13 – Open Meeting Law Legislative Update – Practical Considerations |
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June 23 – Temporary Lifting of Cap on Retiree Earnings |
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May 16 – SCOTUS – Boston’s Flag-Raising Decision Unconstitutional |
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April 6 – Outdoor Table Service and Alcohol To Go Extension |
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April 6 – Allocation of Recoveries from Statewide Opioid Settlements |
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March 9 – Eligible Uses of ARPA Funding – Updated |
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March 3 – Pandemic-Related Legal Updates |
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January 5 – DHCD Housing Choice Regulations Update |
2021 eUpdates
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December 7 – Opioid Settlement Update |
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November 15 – Eligible Uses of ARPA Funding |
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October 14 – PFAS Contamination Litigation Update |
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October 6 – Extension of Massachusetts Emergency Paid Sick Leave |
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October 5 – Status of National Opioid Settlement |
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September 10 – U.S. Supreme Court Denies Further Extension of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Temporary Moratorium on Evictions |
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August 19 – PFAS Litigation |
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August 19 – PFAS Litigation Fact Sheet |
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August 4 – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Extends Temporary Moratorium For Sixty Days |
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July 8 – SJC Decides Use of Single-Family Home for Short-Term Rentals Not Permissible Under Local Zoning Bylaw |
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July 8 – SCOTUS Leaves in Place Temporary Moratorium on Evictions through July 31, 2021 |
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June 18 – Massachusetts COVID Emergency Paid Sick Leave |
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June 17 – Governor Signs Legislation Extending Certain Pandemic-Related Relief Provisions |
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June 14 – FOLLOW UP to Implications of the Rescission of the State of Emergency |
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June 7 – Implications of the Rescission of the State of Emergency |
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May 25 – Current Issues Regarding Alcohol Licensing |
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March 29 – Revised Capacity Limits for Public Meetings/Hearings |
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March 22 – Reminder: Phase IV, Step 1 of Governor Baker’s Reopening Plan Starts Today |
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February 26 – Notices to Quit and Eviction Actions Updated |
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February 26 – Governor Announces Transition in Reopening Plan for all Municipalities |
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February 5 – COVID-19 Capacity Restrictions Adjusted Effective Monday, February 8, 2021 |
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February 1 – New Requirements for Notice to Quit for Non-Payment of Rent and Changes to the Summary Process Rules and Procedures |
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February 1 – Housing Choice Act of 2020 Update |
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January 22 – Announcement of Temporary Revisions to COVID-19 Safety Measures – Updated |
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January 8 – Announcement of Temporary Revisions to COVID-19 Safety Measures |
2020 eUpdates
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December 29 – Expiration of Families First Coronavirus Response Act Paid Leave Provisions |
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December 24 – Governor Announces Temporary Revisions to COVID-19 Measures Effective December 26, 2020 |
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December 17 – Labor and Employment Issues Concerning the COVID-19 Vaccine |
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December 16 – Desrosiers v. Baker – Important Supreme Judicial Court Decision Upholding Governor’s Authority During the COVID-19 State of Emergency |
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December 7 – Fraudulent and Improper Unemployment Claims |
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November 16 – Important Update on Time Frame for Action on Land Use Applications (Updated November 16, 2020) |
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November 13 – Alcoholic Beverage License Renewals – November 2020 |
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November 12 – Governor Signs New Executive Orders Relative to COVID-19 (Updated November 12, 2020) |
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August 7 – Governor Baker Issues Updated Gatherings Order, Effective August 11, 2020 |
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July 31 – Implementation of Governor Baker’s Post-Travel Quarantine Order, effective August 1, 2020 |
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June 6 – Latest COVID-19 Related Municipal Relief Legislation |
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June 2 – Governor Baker’s 6/1/20 Order on Outdoor Dining – ABCC Advisory LLA and Outdoor Seating |
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June 2 – Governor Baker’s 6/1/20 Order on Outdoor Dining – ABCC Patio Guidelines |
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May 18 – Governor Issues Reopening Plan and Related Executive Order |
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May 6 – Governor Baker Issues Guidance Allowing Use of Non-Essential Workers for Remote Fulfillment |
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May 4 – General Court Deliberating New Emergency Act Regarding Conduct of Town Meeting and City Budget Procedures |
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April 28 – Use of Electronic Signature and “Virtual” Notarization |
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April 22 – Governor Extends School and Day Care Closure Orders – COVID-19 Order No. 27 (Child Care Programs) |
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April 22 – Governor Extends School and Day Care Closure Orders – COVID-19 Order No. 28 (Temporary School Closure) |
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April 22 – Legislature Passes Eviction and Foreclosure Moratorium |
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April 15 – Additional Municipal Relief Legislation Passed Chapter 56 of the Acts of 2020 |
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April 3 – Land Use Permitting Deadline Extensions: Municipal Relief Legislation (Chapter 53 of the Acts of 2020) |
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April 3 – Municipal Relief Legislation Passed by State Legislature |
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April 3 – Updated Process for Continuing Town Meeting |
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April 1 – Important Update Regarding Effective Date of Families First Coronavirus Response |
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March 30 – COVID-19 Emergency Response: General Court Authorizes Postponement of Elections |
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March 23 – Order Assuring Continued Operations of Essential Services in the Commonwealth, Closing Certain Workplaces, and Prohibited Gatherings of More than 10 People |
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March 23 – Exhibit A to Order, COVID-19 Essential Services Listing |
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March 23 – DPH Revised Guidance Regarding Assemblies |
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March 21 – COVID-19 Employment and Labor Law FAQ (UPDATED in light of enactment of Families First Coronavirus Response Act and superseding prior FAQs) |
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March 21 – COVID-19 Open Meeting Law and Public Records Implications |
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March 21 – Land Use Permitting FAQ |
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March 19 – Postponement of Local Elections (update) |
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March 16 – COVID-19 Emergency Response: Implementation of Governor’s Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law |
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March 16 – Sample Declaration of Emergency |
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March 13 – Postponing Annual Town Elections |
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March 13 – Sample Letter to Governor Re: Special Act to Postpone Elections |
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March 13 – Sample Special Legislation to Postpone Election (Single Municipality) |
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March 13 – Sample Special Legislation to Postpone Election (All Municipalities) |
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March 13 – Governor Baker Issues Order Temporarily Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law |
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March 11 – Considerations for Municipalities and Government Entities Implicated by Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 |
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March 11 – Process for Continuing Town Meeting (Updated 2020) |
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March 11 – Emergency Powers of Municipalities (Updated 2020) |
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March 11 – Guidance for Board of Health Re: COVID-19 |
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March 3 – Coronavirus Legal Resources for Public Entities |
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March 3 – Upcoming Free Seminars, Presented by KP Law, P.C. |
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February 3 – MMA 2020 Annual Meeting Recap |
2020 Massachusetts Municipal Association Annual Meeting Handouts
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Criminal History Background Checks for Public School Employment FAQs |
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Criminal Offender Record Information FAQs |
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Entering Private Property to Conduct Inspections |
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Authorizing Home Rule Petitions |
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Guidelines for Initial Handling of Claims or Lawsuits |
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Open Meeting Law – Preparing Your Meeting Notice |
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Participation in Executive Session |
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Tips for Negotiating Municipal Recycling Contracts in a Changing Marketplace |
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Calculation of Majority Votes |
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New Federal Communications Commission Rule Regarding Small Wireless Facilities (5G Technology) |
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Cannabis Control Commission Regulatory Amendments Impacting Municipalities |
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New Central Database of CDL Drivers With Past Drug and Alcohol Testing Violations |
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Reminder – Changes to Federal Overtime Regulations Now in Effect (With Attachment Tests for Determining Exemptions) |
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Reviewing Proposed Amendments to Bylaws and Ordinances |
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MMA 2020 Presentation – Alcohol and Entertainment: Keys to Local Control via Licensing |
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MMA 2020 Presentation – Open Meeting Law: Overview and Practical Considerations for Public Entities |
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MMA 2020 Presentation – Best Practices for Local Control of Marijuana Establishments |
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MMA 2020 Presentation – Become A Better Borrower: Municipal Bond Basics |
2019 Massachusetts Municipal Association Annual Meeting Handouts
Links to each handout from the 2019 Annual Meeting can be found below. Please also visit our Public Records Law Resource Page for a full range of publications and guidance concerning the New Public Records Law.
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An Act Protecting Youth from the Health Risks of Tobacco and Nicotine Addiction |
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Firearms Licensing Update: Red Flag Law |
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New Municipal Bond Continuing Disclosure Rules Adopted |
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SJC Upholds Broad Termination for Convenience Clause in Public Contracts |
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Osha Standards: Applicability to Public Sector Employment |
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Public Records Law Update |
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Public Records Law – Best Practices |
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New Law Taxing and Regulating Short-Term Rentals |
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Short-Term Rental Law – Key Provisions |
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Open Meeting Law Update |
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Emergency Powers of Municipalities |
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Sample Notice – Pregnant Workers Fairness Act |
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The Open Meeting Law and Social Media — Potential Pitfalls |
2018 Massachusetts Municipal Association Annual Meeting Handouts
Links to each handout from the 2018 Annual Meeting can be found below. Please also visit our Public Records Law Resource Page for a full range of publications and guidance concerning the New Public Records Law.
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Automobile Dealer Licensing |
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Cannabis Control Commission DRAFT Regulations – 935 CMR 500.00 – A Municipal Top 10 List |
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Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Policy |
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Emergency Powers of Municipalities |
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Entertainment Licensing |
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Equal Employment Opportunity and Anti-Discrimination and Harassment (Including Sexual Harassment) Policy |
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The Evolving Interpretation of Article 97 – Smith v. Westfield |
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General Laws Chapter 40U – Alternate Process for Collection of Certain Fines |
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Non-Medical Marijuana by the Unofficial Numbers |
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Open Meeting Law Update – January, 2018 |
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Proposition 2 1/2 – Part I – A Practical Guide |
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Proposition 2 1/2 – Part II – Contingent Appropriations |
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SJC Affirms Authority of Towns and Cities to Regulate Use of Land for Private Aircraft |
2017 Massachusetts Municipal Association Annual Meeting Handouts
Links to each handout from the 2017 Annual Meeting can be found below. As we issue new materials they will be published on the website. Please also visit our Public Records Law Resource Page for a full range of publications and guidance concerning the New Public Records Law.
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Implications for Public Employers – The Regulation and Taxation of the Marijuana Act – With Sample Policy |
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The Public Records Law – Effective January 1, 2017 |
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KTT, LLC v. Board of Assessors of the Town of Swansea |
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Responding to a Public Records Request – Municipal Timeline – Effective January 1, 2017 |
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Municipal Modernization Act – A Practical Guide |
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Municipal Modernization Act – Public Procurement and Contracting |
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Municipal Modernization Act – Tax Administration |
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Open Meeting Law and Social Media – Potential Pitfalls |
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Public Building Construction Projects – Issues for Consideration When Drafting Warrant Articles |
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G.L. c.41 §111F (Injured on Duty Benefits) FAQ |
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Denial of Licenses for Non-Payment of Certain Municipal Charges – Amendment to G.L. c40 §57 |