Need to Know Now

TAP 2026 Call for Concepts Opening Soon

MAPC’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP)'s 2026 call for concepts will be opening this month!

TAP provides an opportunity for the 101 municipalities in the MAPC region to work with staff on programs and planning initiatives that further shared regional goals.

Reach out to MAPC staff or the TAP Coordinator (TAProgram@mapc.org) to discuss project ideas and learn more about the program before the call is released! 

By receiving this newsletter, you are already on the list to receive the announcement once the call for concepts opens.

MAPC Awards $800k in Accelerating Climate Resilience (ACR) Grants

Last month, eleven projects led by community organizations and municipalities in the Greater Boston region were each awarded ACR grants ranging in different amounts, and totaling $800,000. Each project will advance climate equity, regional coordination, and social cohesion, with some focused more on mitigation or adaptation, or a combination of both.

Read the Announcement About the Eleven Projects

MAPC Given the 2025 Massachusetts Excellence in Technology Award

MAPC received the 2025 Massachusetts Excellence in Technology Award for the Gateway Cities Apartment Wi-Fi pilot, alongside project partners at the City of Chelsea, Chelsea Housing Authority, City of Revere, Revere Housing Authority, City of Quincy, and the Quincy Housing Authority.

Presented at the 2025 MA Digital Government Summit by Executive Office of Technology Services and Security Secretary Jason Snyder, the award is in recognition of work done by MAPC, our partner municipalities, and housing authorities to close the digital divide in three of the Gateway Cities in the MAPC region. The pilot project, which was funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, serves 502 households across the three housing authorities. It paved the way for the current MAPC Apartment Wi-Fi program, which will extend free in-home Wi-Fi service to 5,000+ households across the Commonwealth.

Salem Eliminates Multifamily Parking Minimums Following MAPC Technical Assistance

On September 25, the Salem City Council voted 10-1 to eliminate parking minimums for new multifamily housing developments in the City in efforts to spur more housing production and affordability. This milestone follows over a year of MAPC technical assistance to the City and makes Salem the first municipality to directly apply MAPC’s Perfect Fit Parking methodology to inform their zoning changes.

On September 29, MAPC Executive Director Lizzi Weyant and Senior Transportation Planner Adi Nochur joined Salem Mayor Dominic Pangallo, City Councillor Jeff Cohen, City Planning staff, and volunteers with the Planning Board and Affordable Housing Trust Fund for a ceremonial ordinance signing event in an underutilized parking space (see photo below).

The Perfect Fit Parking Phase 5 Salem study adds yet another contribution to a robust regional dataset highlighting opportunities for parking reform, as most communities have built more residential off-street parking than is needed or utilized.

Forthcoming municipal case studies from MAPC will further highlight how cities and towns in the MAPC region (including Salem) have reformed parking to advance their housing and community development goals.

Read the Press Release About Salem's Elimination of Parking Minimums

MAPC Executive Director Lizzi Weyant (second from the right), Senior Transportation Planner Adi Nochur (third from the right) with Salem Mayor Dominic Pangallo, City Councillor Jeff Cohen, City Planning staff, and volunteers with the Planning Board and Affordable Housing Trust Fund | Photo Credit: MAPC

Showcasing Local Venues in the Greater Boston Region

This is a new regional marketing and tourism effort centered on arts and culture entertainment venues in the area served by Encore Boston Harbor. MAPC is working with ArtsBoston, CreativeGround, and municipalities across Metro Boston to strengthen the visibility of small and mid-sized arts and entertainment venues.

Through this initiative, venues are being connected to regional marketing tools, an expanded inventory of cultural facilities, and strategies that improve promotion, audience development, and language access. 

Go to the Showcasing Local Venues Webpage to Learn More

Legislative Updates

Municipal Empowerment Act (MEA) - Show Your Support

On Tuesday, October 28, the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government will host a hearing about the Municipal Empowerment Act, H.56, filed by Governor Healey.

MAPC is in strong support of this bill that would make permanent flexible remote and hybrid meetings, streamline municipal procurement processes, and include provisions that will make it easier for cities and towns to carry out a number of different functions efficiently and effectively. 

We invite you to show your support for this important legislation by signing on to a letter that will be sent to the Committee ahead of the October 28 hearing.

Sign onto the MEA Support Letter 

2025 MARPA Conference Wrap Up

Yesterday, more than 250 municipal and regional planning staff gathered in Worcester for the 2025 Statewide Municipal Partnerships Conference. The Conference, co-hosted by the Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies (MARPA) and the Division of Local Services (DLS), featured:


• A keynote and questions and answers session with Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll
• Presentations and a panel conversation with Secretary Augustus (EOHLC), Secretary Gorzkowicz (ANF), Secretary Mahaniah (HHS), and Secretary Tepper (EEA)

The conference also featured breakout discussions touching on housing, resiliency, first/last mile solutions, technical assistance and energy siting, and included panelists from regional transit agencies, various secretariats, regional planning agencies, and municipalities.

Left to right: Jeff Walker, MARPA Co-Chair and Executive Director of Southeastern Regional Planning & Econ Dev District (SRPEDD); State Representative Michelle Ciccolo; Leslie Woodson Snell, Director of Planning, Nantucket Planning & Economic Development Commission (NP&EDC); Janey Pierce, Executive Director of Central Mass Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC); Kim Robinson, Executive Director, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC); Secretary Ed Augustus, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC); Lizzi Weyant, Executive Director, Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC); Secretary Kiame Mahaniah, Executive Office of Health and Human Services (HHS); Secretary Rebecca Tepper, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA); Mary Waldron, Executive Director, Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC); Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz, Executive Office for Administration and Finance (ANF); Linda Dunlavy, Executive Director, Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG); Tom Matuszko, Executive Director, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) | Photo Credit: MAPC

MAPC's Government Affairs Team:

• Leah Robins, Government Affairs Director (lrobins@mapc.org)
• Norman Abbott, Senior Government Affairs Specialist (nabbott@mapc.org)
• Georgia Barlow, Senior Government Affairs Specialist (gbarlow@mapc.org)

Visit MAPC's Government Affairs Hub (GA Hub) to stay updated on the team's work.

Visit MAPC's State Grant Opportunities for Municipalities webpage for more information on current available grants.

Upcoming State Grant Deadlines

October 17, 2025

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Infrastructure Project Funding Program

November 7, 2025

Microtransit and Last Mile Transit Grant

November 7, 2025

Community Transit Grant Program - Operating and Mobility Management

Applications Accepted on a Rolling Basis

Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance Grant Program

Applications Reviewed on a Rolling Basis

Local Early and Actionable Planning (LEAP) Program

Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance Grant Program

Application Deadline

Accepted on a rolling basis.

Grant Authority

Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office (FFIO)

Description

This grant program is for eligible entities who are seeking or have received federal funding for projects. Visit the grant program webpage for examples of qualifying projects. Funding priority will be given to requests from Gateway Cities, rural communities, and localities with capacity and financial needs in underserved communities. Awarded applications will receive upfront funding. Applications are reviewing on a rolling basis.

Eligibility

Massachusetts municipalities, federally recognized tribes, regional organizations whose membership is exclusively composed of municipal governments, community development corporations, and and other development authorities or agencies. Please visit the grant webpage for full eligibility information.

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Infrastructure Project Funding Program

Application Deadline

Friday, October 17, 2025

Grant Authority

MA Dept of Transportation (MassDOT)

Description

Facilitates bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements to support safety, access, and mobility for students who walk, bicycle, or use a wheeled mobility device to get to and from school.

Eligibility

Visit the SRTS Program webpage for full information.

Microtransit and Last Mile Transit Grant

Application Deadline

Friday, November 7, 2025

Grant Authority

MA Dept of Transportation (MassDOT)

Description

Funding for existing or new microtransit or last mile transit services. This is a new grant program.

To learn how microtransit and last mile transit is defined, please visit the program's webpage. Register to attend a pre-application training for this program.

Eligibility

Municipalities, nonprofit organizations, Transportation Management Associations (TMAs), and transit authorities.

Community Transit Grant Program - Operating and Mobility Management

Application Deadline

Friday, November 7, 2025

Grant Authority

MA Dept of Transportation (MassDOT)

Description

This program provides funding to eligible entities for expanding mobility transportation or mobility management access to persons with disabilities, older adults, and low-income individuals. Register to attend a pre-application training.

Eligibility

Municipalities, nonprofit organizations, transit authorities, and private entities who provide shared-ride public transit.

Local Early and Actionable Planning (LEAP) Program

Application Deadline

Accepted on a rolling basis. Please see below.

Grant Authority

MA Dept of Transportation (MassDOT)

Application Deadline

Applications accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed/approved to move forward based on available funding.

Description

To provide support (planning and early-design support) to municipalities for transportation infrastructure projects. MassDOT's support will include capacity building for transportation projects, department staff support, and on-call staff support. Learn more about this program on their LEAP webpage.

Eligibility

Priority will be given to rural communities, Gateway Cities, and those that have similar capacity and funding needs. Visit the program webpage to learn more about the program eligibility, as well as to view a list of eligible projects.

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).

*New* MAPC Tools, Resources, and Opportunities to Participate

The Municipal Energy and Sustainability Managers (MESM) Academy, is a training program for municipal energy and sustainability managers across Massachusetts that offers no-cost technical training as well as opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and peer learning.

Go to the MESM Academy Resource

We're Hiring!

We encourage you to continuously check out the employment page on our website for any upcoming positions.

MAPC in the News

Personnel File - Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

Publication Date: October 7, 2025 | Source: State House News

“[MAPC] Executive Committee voted unanimously to appoint Lizzi Weyant as the agency's new executive director. Weyant has served as acting executive director since June 2025 when former executive director Marc Draisen announced his retirement.”

Salem eliminates parking minimums for new development, in bid to make housing cheaper

Publication Date: September 29, 2025 | Source: The Boston Globe;

see also Salem News, StreetsBlog Mass  

“The council passed the new parking rules after the Metropolitan Area Planning Council surveyed the city’s existing parking supply and found that some 38 percent of parking spaces built at a sampling of multifamily housing developments in the city were vacant overnight, when most residents are home.”

New FEMA flood maps prompt questions, concerns across Massachusetts

Publication Date: October 3, 2025 | Source: CommonWealth Beacon

“That’s created large disparities between FEMA’s flood maps and the actual risk experienced by residents. A 2023 report from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council found that 96 percent of flood damage claims filed after the historic 2010 downpours were in areas outside of FEMA’s special flood hazard areas.”

Chelsea Public Health Department Launches “Play for All” Project and Invites Residents to take Survey on Play, Recreation and Health

Publication Date: September 18, 2025 | Source: Chelsea Record

“’Play for All’ is made possible through a partnership with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)… ‘In Chelsea, play is about more than fun, it’s about health, equity, and belonging,’ said Vanessa Guardado-Menjivar, Regional Epidemiologist for North Suffolk Public Health Collaborative. ‘Through the Play for All project, we’re listening directly to residents to understand the barriers and opportunities for play in our neighborhoods.’”

Traffic Commission recommends moving forward with regional bikeshare initiative

Publication Date: September 18, 2025 | Source: The Waltham Times

“On Thursday, Metropolitan Area Planning Council’s Senior Transportation Planner Marah Holland presented to the Waltham Traffic Commission a plan to bring a bikeshare system to the city… Massachusetts bikeshare operations are now a joint regional venture run by MAPC in conjunction with municipalities, Blue Cross Blue Shield and other public and private organizations, according to Holland.”

Designing a Community Engagement Strategy | Community Engagement Conversations (virtual)

October 9, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Join the MAPC Community Engagement Team for this Conversation to learn how MAPC creates strategies for community engagement that meets people where they are.

MAPC’s Community Engagement Conversations focus on different topics to support the engagement work within your own community.

The series provides an introduction to the services MAPC offers when you work with the MAPC Community Engagement Team.

Visit the Community Engagement Conversations webpage to learn more about this series. You can also register for one or more of the Conversations using one registration form.

Questions? Please contact:

Javier Gutierrez, Director of Community Engagement, jgutierrez@mapc.org

Webinar: Breaking Down the Draft Clean Energy Siting and Permitting Regulations (virtual)

October 9, 2025 | 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) recently published draft regulations to implement legislative reforms passed last year (2024) to municipal siting and permitting processes for clean energy infrastructure.

These regulations will change how municipalities across the Commonwealth will need to approach siting and permitting for solar photovoltaic (PV), battery storage, distribution substations, and other clean energy and small transmission projects.

MAPC is hosting a virtual discussion on the draft regulations focused on municipal staff. Join us to learn more about the draft regulations and to share your thoughts, reactions, and experiences with siting and permitting clean energy projects.

Additionally, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is hosting multiple hybrid information sessions about the regulations, October 6 – 9, 2025. 

More Information and to Register

DOER is also hosting a virtual public hearing on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. Register for the virtual public hearing.

DOER is also accepting written comments to: DOER.Siting.Permitting@mass.gov.

The deadline to submit your written comments is October 17, 2025 (5:00 p.m.).

Questions? Please contact:

MAPC's Clean Energy Team, cleanenergy@mapc.org

FFIO Community Tour - Lynn Stop (hybrid)

October 15, 2025 | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

In person: Lynn City Hall (3 City Hall Square, Lynn, MA)) - City Council Chambers Virtual: Zoom

This is the final stop on the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office (FFIO) Community Tour. This hybrid event is an opportunity to meet the FFIO team, learn about what they do, and how their resources can help your community.

Visit their event webpage to learn more about the Lynn stop.

EMHCC October Meeting: Exploring Historic District Bylaws, Guidelines, and Rules (virtual)

October 21, 2025 | 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

This webinar, hosted by the Eastern Massachusetts Historical Commission Coalition (EMHCC), will explore how historic district bylaws and guidelines can be updated to meet the specificity of today’s laws, including state climate and housing laws, while tracing the history of Massachusetts preservation frameworks and highlighting regulatory authority, best practices, local approaches, and funding.

Speakers will include:

• Michael Steinitz (Massachusetts Historical Commission) sharing the history of historic preservation frameworks in Massachusetts.
• Marilyn Fenollosa (Historic Preservation Attorney) explaining commission authority and why clear rules matter.
• Sarah Scott (MAPC) discussing how commissions can align their work with preservation standards and community goals.
• Lindsay Randall (MAPC) sharing about the Marblehead Sustainable Heritage project’s process of updating guidelines to integrate clean energy while maintaining historic character.

Questions? Please contact:

Lindsay Randall, Senior Regional Humanities Specialist, lrandall@mapc.org

2025 Climate Beacon Conference (in-person)

October 22 - 24, 2025 | All Day

Lyrik Back Bay | 1001 Boylston Street - 11th Floor, Boston, MA

The annual Climate Beacon Conference is focused on creating climate solutions. It’s an opportunity for leaders and decision-makers to gather together with experts and practitioners to plan ahead for a more livable, sustainable future.

More information about the Conference can be found on the conference website.

Municipal Leaders:

While registration is required, as a public leader, you get into the Conference for free. There will also be a Municipal Leaders Morning Reception from 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. on October 23. When you register for the conference, one of the "add on" session options will be the Municipal Leaders Morning Reception.

MAPC is a Program Partner for the 2025 Climate Beacon Conference.

2025 MAPC's Fall Council Meeting (in-person)

October 29, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Robbins Memorial Town Hall Auditorium, 730 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA

Please join us for the in-person Fall Council Meeting!

Additional information will be coming soon. For now, we encourage you to save the date and time on your calendar, and register to hold your seat.

Questions? Please contact:

Emma Koontz, Council Engagement Specialist, ekoontz@mapc.org

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