"Massachusetts doesn't wait. We lead."
Recapping the 2025 MARPA-DLS Conference at the College of the Holy Cross
October 7, 2025 - Municipal and planning staff from Provincetown to Mount Washington met in Worcester at the College of the Holy Cross for the 2025 Statewide Municipal Partnerships Conference, hosted by the Mass. Association of Regional Planning Agencies (MARPA) and Division of Local Services. Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll offered remarks to keynote the conference.
During her remarks and the following Q&A, Lt. Governor Driscoll focused on the opportunities for collaboration between municipalities and the Commonwealth in the face of unprecedented federal uncertainty. She discussed several bills that the Healey Driscoll-Administration filed to provide new tools for communities and to help Massachusetts address energy affordability, housing availability, as well as to ensure communities are better prepared for extreme weather events.
“...We are committed to being innovative and resilient. We're not backing off of the values we have because of different folks in Washington or different policies being pushed," said Lt. Governor Driscoll. "We've proven time and again that when the federal picture is unclear, Massachusetts doesn't wait. We lead. We play offense here. We're up for the task, and we're up for the task because of the work that you're doing every single day.”
Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll addresses the MARPA Conference
She also discussed the newly refiled Municipal Empowerment Act, which is supported by MAPC and MARPA. The bill provides municipalities with tools to save funds, streamline programs, and offer the best possible services to residents. During the event, attendees had the chance to join a sign on letter in support of the bill. You can read the full letter and sign on at mapc.ma/MEASignOn. Conference attendees were also encouraged to contact their state legislators in advance of the bill’s hearing on October 28 before the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government.
On housing, Lt. Governor Driscoll added, “We can grow smartly. You all know how to do this. Work with us, and let's help find ways to communicate, run the data, showcase the good projects that are happening in so many communities across the Commonwealth that have led with density, and show how to do density right... We're committed to working with you to make sure we see it through and get the housing that we need and grow in a way that maintains the character of your community but also welcomes new neighbors.”
The Conference also featured remarks from Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus, Secretary for Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper, and Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah.
During a panel discussion moderated by MAPC’s Executive Director Lizzi Weyant, the secretaries focused on the ways that they collaborate in their work and new programs like the Environment and Climate One Stop that are newly available to municipalities.
The Conference also included AICP continuing education credit eligible breakout sessions around energy siting, technical assistance, first/last mile solutions, and housing and resiliency resources.
The panels were facilitated by: Kim Robinson, Executive Director of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission; Linda Dunlavy, Executive Director of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments; Jeremy Koo, MAPC’s Assistant Director of Clean Energy; and Joel Barrera, an advisor to the Conine Foundation. Panelists included representatives from the Commonwealth, regional planning agencies, municipalities, and more. Panels showcased successful and replicable strategies to address:
- the local siting of battery storage;
- partnering with regional transit authorities;
- accessing new technical assistance offerings;
- and understanding new housing and energy regulations.
Additional information on these presentations and more can be found on the slides included below.