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Need to Know Now
MAPC Municipal Parking Survey - We Need Your Input!
MAPC's Transportation Team is creating a database of parking policies and regulations across the Greater Boston region and is requesting input from municipal staff with transportation expertise.
The database will be comprehensive and publicly available. The goal is to help municipalities learn from each other through identifying best practices, understanding how peer communities are addressing parking-related challenges and opportunities, and will highlight local policy innovations.
The Team is collecting input through a brief (15 - 20 minutes) survey, and the deadline to complete the survey is July 15, 2025.
Learn More and Complete the Survey
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Climate Resilience Playbook - Launching Soon!
We are so excited to share that very soon (hint: in August), we will be publicly launching the Climate Resilience Playbook!
The Climate Resilience Playbook is an online interactive tool that local planners can use to identify and prioritize resilience actions for their communities. This project is a partnership between MAPC, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program team, and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC).
More information about the public launch webinar will be available in the coming weeks. Want to be among the first to know once we have that information?
Subscribe to the Playbook email list!
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Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Subregional Coordinators
We are excited to announce the FY26 Subregional Coordinators to you! Each subregional coordinator is a staff member of MAPC who volunteers to take on this extra responsibility and opportunity to work directly with the leadership and communities for each of the eight subregions.
Inner Core Committee (ICC)
Casey Williams, Senior Housing and Land Use Planner
Zoe Iacovino, Regional Planning Data Analyst II
MetroWest Regional Collaborative (MWRC)
Camille Jonlin, Senior Economic Development Planner
Travis Pollack, Senior Transportation Planner
Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination (MAGIC)
Georgia Barlow, Senior Government Affairs Specialist
North Shore Task Force (NSTF)
Sarah Scott, Senior Regional Land Use and Historic Preservation Planner
North Suburban Planning Council (NSPC)
Brandon Stanaway, Socioeconomic Analyst II
Francelis Morillo Suarez, Clean Energy and Climate Planner II
South Shore Coalition (SSC)
Sukanya Sharma, Senior Regional Land Use Planner
South West Advisory Planning Committee (SWAP)
Nina Miscioscia, Grants and Procurement Coordinator
Eric Hove, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Three Rivers Interlocal Council (TRIC)
Gwendolyn Hellen-Sands, Regional Housing Planner II
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Fostering Collaborations Symposium - Thank You and Resources
On June 18, MAPC in partnership with the Center for Climate and Health at Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH), hosted the Fostering Collaborations: A Symposium to Advance Equitable Heat Health Actions. Held in-person at Boston University (BU), the Symposium engaged more than 150 stakeholders from across various sectors.
The main goal for the Symposium - which was part of Strengthening Pathways: A national conversation about health research - was to foster constructive dialogue with the focus on bridging the gap between heat health research and practice.
You can find more information about the Symposium, including resources from the event, on the event webpage.
A tremendous thank you to our partners in this effort, BUSPH, our esteemed event panelists, the speakers for the lightning talks, and our partners who helped us host the pre-event planning conversations.
Go to the Fostering Collaborations Symposium Webpage
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SolarAPP+ Webinar
On June 26, MAPC co-hosted a webinar with the SolarAPP+ Foundation, MassPIRG, and the Town of Guilford, CT, to introduce Solar Automated Permitting Processing (SolarAPP+).
Developed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and others, SolarAPP+ is a
no-cost tool that makes it easier for municipalities to quickly and safely approve standardized rooftop solar projects.
To learn more about SolarAPP+ and how to pilot it in your community, reach out to cleanenergy@mapc.org.
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FY26 Budget
On July 4, Governor Healey signed the $60.9 billion Fiscal Year (FY26) budget. This is a $130 million decrease from the Conference Committee budget, which the Legislature passed at the end of June. However, it retains almost all of the policy provisions from the Conference Budget. Read MAPC's Budget Summary
Bonds and Capital Spending
Last month, Governor Healey filed the Environmental Bond Bill proposal, which would provide the authorization for the Healey-Driscoll Administration to secure funding for major capital projects. A hearing has been scheduled for July 15, as the review process gets underway.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration also released the FY26 Capital Plan which allocates funding based on the authorizations provided by past Bond Bills. MAPC staff are reviewing the proposal and will share a summary on our Planning 101 blog soon!
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MARPA and DLS Conference 2025 - Save the Date and Register
You're invited to join the Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies (MARPA), and the Division of Local Services (DLS) at the 2025 MARPA and DLS Conference.
October 7, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Hogan Campus Center - Ballroom, College of the Holy Cross
1 College St, Worcester, MA 01610
We encourage you to save the date and time to your calendar, and register now. Additional information about the conference will be coming soon.
Register for the MARPA and DLS Conference
| | Child Passenger Safety Education and Assistance Program | | |
Application Deadline
Depends. See note below.
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Grant Authority
Office of Grants and Research
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Application Deadline
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until either all funds are depleted or until August 31, 2025; whichever comes first.
Description
To provide eligible entities with car seats for distribution to low-income families through certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technicians. Visit the grant program's webpage for full description.
Eligibility
Includes but is not limited to Massachusetts municipal agencies. View the full eligibility requirements and eligible entities on the grant program's webpage.
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Technical Assistance
If your municipality is interested in applying for grant funding but lacks staff capacity, MAPC may be able to help. Grant Assistance Program (GAP) funding could allow you to seek assistance from knowledgeable Regional Planning Agency (RPA) staff, which can also lead to more competitive regional and multi-municipal applications, increasing the likelihood of receiving funding. For inquiries or questions, contact Gloria Huangpu (ghuangpu@mapc.org).
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*New* MAPC Tools, Resources, and Opportunities to Participate | | |
Greater Boston's 101 Cities and Towns Webpage
We are excited to share that there is now a webpage on the MAPC website that provides:
- The names of all 101 cities and towns in the Greater Boston region
- Which of the eight subregions every city and town falls under
- A map of the entire region broken out by subregions
- Boundary maps by municipality, subregions, and the region
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The webpage was created in response to hearing from many within the Greater Boston region looking for this information, and not being able to find it on our website. We encourage you to visit the webpage, and to let us know (abelles@mapc.org) if there is additional information that would be helpful to have on the webpage!
Visit the Greater Boston's 101 Cities and Towns Webpage
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New Data Visualizations for Measuring the Affordable Housing Gap in MA
In April, MAPC and Housing Navigator Massachusetts released Data Opens Doors: Measuring the Affordable Housing Gap in Massachusetts. For the first time, this research gives us a clear, detailed picture of the gap between the affordable rental housing we have and what households actually need (a staggering 441,000 households have unmet needs).
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Housing Navigator released three new infographics that highlight unique takeaways from the report to help municipal officials, planners, developers, community groups, and others make data-informed decisions when planning and advocating for affordable housing.
Access the Affordable Housing Infographics for:
Developers
Community Advocates
Planners and Policymakers
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Lynn Calm Team Formally Launched
Publication Date: July 1, 2025 | Source: Lynn Journal
“In addition to the Calm Team, a Community Advisory Committee was formed and has held its first meeting. The Collins Center at UMass Boston and Metropolitan Area Planning Council continue to provide technical support on the launch and data analysis.”
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City of Chelsea and Chelsea Housing Authority Install “Cool Roof”
Publication Date: June 26, 2025 | Source: Chelsea Record
“The ‘cool roof,’ which was made possible by approximately $165,000 in CHA capital funding and an $85,000 Accelerating Climate Resilience grant awarded to the City by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), was accomplished by coating the Margolis complex’s existing roof with a white, solar-reflective surface that will reduce the building’s indoor temperatures and lower energy demand for cooling.”
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As temperatures soar, researchers and advocates talk extreme heat solutions
Publication Date: June 25, 2025 | Source: The Bay State Banner
“The conference, organized by Boston University’s School of Public Health and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, brought together experts currently working to address the impacts of extreme heat in communities across the area...”
“[Lizzi] Weyant said that solutions to extreme heat will require legislative action in addition to on-the-ground work. Local efforts spearheading heat resilience efforts are especially important, she said, given federal disinvestment in climate and environmental activity.”
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Nightside News Update 6/24/25
Publication Date: June 24, 2025 | Source: WBZ News Radio
“Boston’s extreme heat & its impact on peak energy demand, air quality in schools, and what solutions are on urban heat islands. Sharon Ron - Assistant Director of Public Health at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council in MA checked in.” (Interview begins at 11:45)
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Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events, and we encourage you to check our online events calendar often for new and updated event postings.
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2025 Landline Rides | Mystic River Ride (in-person)
July 15, 2025 | 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Please join MAPC, The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA), and Bike to the Sea for our annual ride around the Mystic River to explore the expanding network of trails and greenways.
The ride will be about ten miles, along both sides of the Mystic River between Malden and Medford.
For full logistics, including the meeting place, please visit the event information on the MyWRA calendar, or on the Bike to the Sea event webpage.
If you do plan on joining the ride, please rsvp by emailing David Loutzenheiser (DLoutzenheiser@mapc.org).
Questions? Please contact:
David Loutzenheiser, Senior Transportation Planner, DLoutzenheiser@mapc.org
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2025 Landline Rides | Boston to Salem (in-person)
July 31, 2025 | 3:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Please join MAPC and the East Coast Greenway for a ride between Boston and Salem on the Border to Boston Trail.
It will be about a 25 mile ride between Boston and Salem, with the choice to join the group in Boston or in Lynn.
Logistics:
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3:30 p.m. – Meet at Puopolo Park in the North End, just to the right of the skating rink.
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5:00 p.m. – Meet in Lynn near Market Basket on the Northern Strand.
- Ride to Salem, finishing at Willows Park where there are several choices to grab a bite and sit on the grass with waterfront views.
The focus of this ride is to see:
- The new North Washington Street Bridge at or close to completion
- Northern Strand extension under construction in downtown Lynn
- Trail resurfacing in Marblehead
- Plus more surprises along the way
If you do plan on joining the ride, please rsvp by emailing David Loutzenheiser (DLoutzenheiser@mapc.org).
Questions? Please contact:
David Loutzenheiser, Senior Transportation Planner, DLoutzenheiser@mapc.org
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2025 MARPA and DLS Conference (in-person)
October 7, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Please join the Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies (MARPA), and the Division of Local Services (DLS) at the 2025 MARPA and DLS Conference.
Doors will open at 8:30 a.m., and the Conference will begin at 9:00 a.m.
We encourage you to save the date and time to your calendar, and register now. Additional information about the conference will be coming soon!
Questions? Please contact:
Norman Abbott, Senior Government Affairs Specialist, nabbott@mapc.org
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MPO Corner: News from our partner in transportation planning
The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is Boston’s regional transportation planning agency. MAPC is one of 23 voting MPO board members. Subscribe for updates and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Bluesky, and X at @BostonRegionMPO.
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Let's Make Our Streets Safer for Everyone.
Submit Feedback on the MPO's Draft Vision Zero Action Plan
by July 27, 2025
The draft Vision Zero Action Plan was released for a 30-day public review period, ending on Sunday, July 27. To submit feedback on the draft document, please email visionzero@ctps.org. All comments will be shared with the MPO board at the end of the public review period.
Transportation safety is an essential focus of the Boston Region MPO and one of the major goals identified in the MPO’s Long-Range Transportation Plan, Destination 2050. The draft Vision Zero Action Plan identifies transportation safety issues through a data-driven and community-based approach, serving as a roadmap for the 97 communities in the region to implement policies and projects that align with the goal of reaching zero deaths and serious injuries on our roadways.
Elements of the Action Plan include:
- An analysis of the current state of roadway safety in the region;
- Key takeaways from stakeholder and public input; and,
- Strategies and actions to improve safety.
Submit a Comment | Draft Action Plan | Executive Summary
You can find the Appendices and Executive Summary translations at: bostonmpo.org/visionzero
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Data Manager
Manager of Model Development
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Upcoming MPO Meetings and Events:
Thursday, July 10 – UPWP Committee Meeting
Thursday, July 17 – MPO Meeting
Thursday, August 7 – MPO Meeting
Public attendance and comments are welcome at all MPO meetings and events. Visit the MPO’s website for more information. Meeting dates and materials are available on the MPO meeting calendar. Submit questions and comments via the MPO’s feedback forms.
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