The 351

Adam Chapdelaine, John Ouellette

Leading Massachusetts into the future will take the talent, dedication, and hard work of leaders from all of our 351 cities and towns. Our mission at the Massachusetts Municipal Association is to help those leaders deal with some of the toughest issues in the state. On this podcast, hosts Adam Chapdelaine, executive director of the MMA, and John Ouellette, communications director at the MMA, speak with the innovators and experts who are leading the Commonwealth forward and working to make it stronger. New episodes drop every other Tuesday.

To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org

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20 episodes
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Avg 36 min
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#21
August 18 · 34 min
A Review of a Busy Override Season, and the Story Behind the Numbers
This spring, 54 Massachusetts communities put Proposition 2 1⁄2 override questions before voters, making FY27 one of the most active years in history. But what do the numbers actually tell us? The MMA’s Adam Chapdelaine and John Ouellette dig into the data behind this year's override results, including why the number of questions has spiked recently, what communities are facing when costs outpace revenue growth, and how the results relate to the MMA's “Perfect Storm” report. They explore the dif
#20
August 4 · 33 min
The Shifting Local Media Landscape: What It Means for Public Trust and Local Government
Local journalism has long been one of the pillars of healthy communities — informing residents, holding public officials accountable, and helping people understand the decisions that shape their daily lives. But as local newspapers continue to shrink or disappear, what does that mean for municipalities, and for democracy itself? In this episode, Dan Kennedy, journalism professor at Northeastern University and media commentator, and Karen Bordeleau, executive editor of The New Bedford Light, exp
#19
July 21 · 40 min
Why Municipal HR Is More Strategic Than Ever
Across Massachusetts, cities and towns are facing one of their biggest workforce challenges in decades. Recruiting qualified employees is harder than ever, experienced staff are retiring, and employees' expectations around flexibility, career growth, and workplace culture continue to evolve. Massachusetts Municipal Human Resources association Chair Jen Breaker and Vice Chair Michael Taylor join the show to explore how municipal HR has become a strategic partner in helping communities navigate t
#18
July 7 · 37 min
How Local Leaders Can Avoid Burnout and Build Stronger Teams
Municipal leaders are expected to solve problems, navigate public scrutiny, lead through uncertainty, and somehow avoid burning out along the way. But what if the key to becoming a better leader isn't working harder — it's learning when to step back?
#17
June 23 · 37 min
The Financial Foundations of Local Government
Municipal finance, which touches nearly every service residents rely on, is a specialized field. In this episode, Sean Cronin, Senior Deputy Commissioner of the Massachusetts Division of Local Services, discusses how his agency supports cities and towns across the Commonwealth as they manage public resources.
#16
June 9 · 39 min
Cutting Through the Noise: The Vital Role of Communications in Local Government
As misinformation spreads online, and residents expect instant updates, municipalities are under growing pressure to communicate clearly, effectively, and in a way that bolsters public trust. In this episode, we hear from Jeremy Warnick, Director of Media Relations and Content Strategy at the City of Cambridge, and Sean Dugan, Deputy Town Administrator in Easton.
#15
May 26 · 41 min
The Leadership Skills Municipal Managers Need Now
Leadership is tough at any level, but working in local government presents a unique set of challenges – and requires specific skills. Executive coaches and leadership consultants Betsy and Anthony Neptune of Neptune Coaching have spent years helping municipal leaders fortify their skill set. They share why technical expertise doesn’t always translate into effective management, how municipal leaders can build trust and navigate conflict, and why workplace culture is really about “patterns of beha
#14
May 12 · 34 min
Guiding Principles of MMA Membership Work: Connection and Empowerment
MMA Membership Director Jackie Lavender Bird has been a city councillor, mayoral chief of staff, and a former MMA legislative leader, which means she can share a 360-degree view of local government. In this episode, she shares what she’s hearing from municipal officials who are navigating today’s fiscal pressures and rapid technological change. Bird discusses the professional development, peer learning, webinars, and events that the MMA offers to help members navigate difficult conversations, st
#13
April 28 · 43 min
The Quest for More Affordable Health Care in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is home to some of the best health care in the world, but it’s also one of the most expensive places to get it. Sarah Iselin, President and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, unpacks what’s driving the surge in health care costs, and shares how insurers, providers, and policymakers are responding — and why none of the solutions come without trade-offs. The conversation digs into the real-world impact on municipal budgets, the limits of shifting costs to consumers, and
#12
April 14 · 30 min
Inside the Work the Inspector General Does for Massachusetts
While safeguarding the public trust and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse is an essential role in the Commonwealth, Inspector General Jeff Shapiro is also on a mission to build relationships across the state and become a more collaborative, forward-looking partner for state agencies and cities and towns.
#11
April 7 · 46 min
Local Leaders Innovate to Provide Services
Each year, the MMA recognizes cities and towns that have developed unique and creative projects and programs to increase the effectiveness of local government. In this episode, we hear from this year’s winners: Amherst’s Movement and Mentoring program, the Andover at Work photography exhibit, and the North Attleborough/YMCA food pantry.
#10
March 31 · 35 min
How Equity Affects Everyone in Massachusetts Communities
Jill Harvey is on a mission to help local leaders move beyond buzzwords and translate diversity, equity, and inclusion into real policies and actions. As the MMA’s first Chief Equity Officer, she shares the work she’s been doing across cities and towns in the state to help them realize how equity shows up in everyday decisions — from snow removal and trash collection to accessibility and community engagement. She shares how progress should be measured, what success looks like, and why she remain
#9
March 17 · 30 min
Inside the Network Supporting Massachusetts’ Small Town Leaders
The majority of Massachusetts cities and towns have fewer than 12,000 residents — but they’re still responsible for delivering the same services as larger communities. Ryan McLane of Carlisle and Denise Dembkoski of Stow, leaders of Small Town Administrators of Massachusetts (STAM), talk about what it really takes to run a small town. From staffing challenges and tight budgets to navigating volunteer boards and complex governance structures, they unpack the unique challenges — and surprising adv
#8
March 3 · 30 min
Legislative Advocacy for All Massachusetts Communities
As Massachusetts heads into the final stretch of its two-year legislative session, the stakes for cities and towns across the Commonwealth couldn’t be higher. MMA Legislative Director Dave Koffman helps unpack the key municipal priorities currently pending on Beacon Hill — from public education funding and local aid in the Fiscal 2027 state budget to long-term investments in roads, bridges, and critical infrastructure. He speaks about how local leaders can help shape meaningful policy solutions
#7
February 17 · 30 min
Takeaways from Connect 351
From 1,400 attendees and 377 first-time participants to viral videos, fiery “Burning Questions,” and remarks from state and national leaders, this year’s Connect 351 event showcased both the scale and the spirit of local government in Massachusetts. In this episode, MMA Deputy Executive Director Katie McCue joins Adam and John to reflect on the moments, messages, and momentum from this year’s annual Massachusetts Municipal Association conference.
#6
February 3 · 40 min
In an Age of Division, Leading With Dignity
What if the solution for healing divisions in our nation started at the local level? UNITE CEO Tim Shriver and Dignity Index co-creator Tami Pyfer explain their hopeful, practical path to improving public discourse and strengthening our relationships and our country. In this episode, they join Adam and John at Connect 351 to talk through the importance of dignity, how they see the role of local leaders in fighting against the “contempt industrial complex,” and where they see change happening eve
#5
January 20 · 40 min
Building Trust and Resilience in Local Leadership
What are the real pressures facing local leaders in Massachusetts in 2026? In this episode, we speak with the outgoing president and incoming president of the MMA — Franklin Town Administrator Jaime Hellen and Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove, respectively — as they go in-depth about how local leaders are often torn in multiple directions and work to achieve success for their communities under the constraints of time, staffing and budgets. They share how fortunate they feel to do the work they do,
#4
January 6 · 30 min
Mentorship, Civic Health, and Taking the Long View in Local Government
What can Massachusetts leaders learn from someone with three and a half decades of public service experience? Kate Fitzpatrick spent 35 years with the Town of Needham, and is now the Northeast Regional Director for the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Throughout her career, she’s recognized the importance of navigating divisions, building consensus, and engaging with the community. She shares her proven strategies and explains why she takes the long view, why process matt
#3
Dec 23, 2025 · 38 min
Why Local Leadership Matters More Than Ever
What does a lack of funding from the federal level mean for leaders of cities and towns? In this episode, we look beyond the national politics that are dominating the headlines and dive deeper into the real work of nonpartisan local government with Clarence Anthony, Executive Director of the National League of Cities. A former mayor himself, Clarence talks about the opportunities for strong leadership in cities and towns in this moment, the importance of humanity in public service, the toll of p
#2
Dec 16, 2025 · 38 min
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll on Innovation, Partnerships, and Community Building
As we look into 2026, municipalities across Massachusetts face an onslaught of challenges, from housing affordability to energy costs to maintaining the quality essential services that residents rely on every day. Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll highlights what the administration is doing to help communities tackle these issues, the importance of local governments and public service, and the lessons she learned as Mayor of Salem that she uses to inform her leadership today.

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