A festive event for the whole community that aims to increase visibility, dignity, and inclusion of people with disabilities while raising awareness and reducing stigma.

All are invited!

Learn more about this event on the Celebrating Disability Pride (Cambridge) webpage.

MAPC is lead on the Cambridge Health and Disability Access Project. This event is one component of the larger project. 

Questions? Please contact:

Ursula Kiczkowski, Lead Investigator (ukiczkowski@mapc.org).

Hosted by the Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies (MARPA) and the Division of Local Services (DLS), the Statewide Municipal Partnerships Conference brings together municipal and regional leaders from across the Commonwealth for a half day of networking, conversations on pressing issues, and the sharing of best practices.

We are honored that Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll will once again keynote the 2025 Statewide Municipal Partnerships Conference! We will also be joined by Secretary Augustus, Secretary Gorzkowicz, Secretary Mahaniah, and Secretary Tepper for a special panel discussion.

Visit the conference registration page for the day's agenda, and to learn about the breakout panels.

Questions? Please contact:

Norman Abbott, Senior Government Affairs Specialist, nabbott@mapc.org

Food systems are increasingly at risk to impacts from climate change. These impacts affect all sectors of the food system, including food access.

This training will give participants an understanding of some of the impacts of climate on food systems regionally, and tools to think about how that affects their work. Additionally, participants will learn about frameworks and strategies to build resilience into their food access work and examples of communities who are building resilience.

Rachel Weil, Public Health and Food Systems Planner II for MAPC will be facilitating this training!

Visit the event page for additional information.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

Questions? Please contact Amanda Belles (abelles@mapc.org).