Robert G. Logan, Sr. Leads Massachusetts Municipal Association

hen Waltham City Councilor Robert Logan was elected President of the Massachusetts Municipal Association at the organization’s Annual Meeting in January, he knew it would be a busy and eventful year.

        In the past three months, Councilor Logan and the MMA have advanced an agenda to protect local aid and education funding, reduce reliance on local property taxes, expand Chapter 90 funding for the maintenance and repair of local roads and bridges, ensure adequate state reimbursements for school construction projects, and provide cities and towns with greater flexibility to innovate and manage at the local level.

        Councilor Logan’s efforts have yielded results.  In the past few weeks, the House and Senate have both passed legislation to fund the local Chapter 90 road maintenance program at $200 million, matching the high water mark in road repair funds for cities and towns.  Final details are being worked out, and the bill will soon be on the Governor’s Desk for his signature.  In addition, President Logan and the MMA have embraced the House Ways and Means Committee’s local aid recommendations, which would add $105 million in additional municipal and school aid next year, including $65 million more for unrestricted municipal aid to fund local services.  The House will vote on the local aid recommendations next week.

        "Councilor Logan is recognized by his colleagues as an innovative and effective leader in Waltham and across the Commonwealth," said MMA Executive Director Geoffrey C. Beckwith.  "Local officials have elected him to be the MMA President to help lead our efforts to advance the causes of cities and towns, and we are very pleased that accepted this key leadership post,” Beckwith said.  “He has been extremely effective in achieving progress this year.”

         “Communities across the state share key issues, concerns and a common agenda,” City Councilor Logan said.  “We must deliver essential services as affordably as possible, help promote economic recovery, lead a motivated and well-trained workforce, and reward the public’s trust in its leadership.  No city or town can go it alone, and we must work together on issues ranging from local aid to home rule and everything in between, and collaborate with the Administration and the Legislature to strengthen the partnership between state and local government on behalf of the people we all serve.  I appreciate the vote of confidence from my fellow municipal officials, and I look forward to continuing the progress we have achieved so far.”

        As the President of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Councilor Logan is leading the MMA Board of Directors and is taking a central role advancing the needs of all communities.  He also chairs the statewide Local Government Advisory Commission (LGAC), which meets throughout the year with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to discuss issues facing cities and towns.  During their five years in office, Governor Patrick and Lt. Governor Murray have relied on the LGAC for advice, consultation and input on municipal issues.

        "President Logan’s leadership abilities are of enormous value to all of the cities and towns of Massachusetts," Beckwith continued.  "He is a respected and approachable advocate on behalf of local officials and taxpayers in all communities, as local leaders seek a full partnership with the state in our common work to make Massachusetts stronger and more prosperous."

        The Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) is the statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan association that provides advocacy, training, publications, research and other services to Massachusetts cities and towns.  The MMA is the only statewide organization that brings municipal officials together to establish unified policies, to advocate these policies, and to ensure the effective delivery of services to community residents.