Melrose Mayor Rob Dolan will be nominated to head the Massachusetts Mayor’s Association at our annual meeting on January 24th. Mayor Dolan is an outstanding leader, and a really great choice to head our association. He comes in at a crucial time for localities, and will bring a strong voice to the table statewide to advocate for issues critical to cities and towns. From the Boston Globe:

“Sometimes, the Legislature tends to be beholden to some special interests that take tools out of our toolbox. That has to be communicated to the Legislature and I hope to be the one that does that.”

Among the changes Dolan will be promoting are proposals to close telecommunications tax loopholes; to allow cities and towns to design their healthcare plans without collective bargaining; and to allow a reduction in the level of union approval needed to join the state’s health insurance system.

He also plans to advocate for allowing cities and towns to adopt a local meals tax; to increase the allowable local hotel tax; to remove obstacles to regionalizing services; and to allow municipalities to require drug and alcohol tests for public safety personnel without collective bargaining.

Congratulations to Mayor Dolan, and a very big thank you to Somerville Mayor Joseph Curatone, who served our Association so well during his tenure as leader.