FY24 in Review

Each of the eight subregions are led by MAPC staff who work alongside municipal officials and regional and community stakeholders. Subregion leadership is a collaborative partnership where goals and activities are brainstormed together.

By the Numbers

A large, white number 78 over a light blue, white and green background. Over the number in blue is text that says, "seventy-eight".

Around 78 total meetings/events held across eight subregions.

A large, white number 8 over a light blue, white and green background. Over the number in blue is text that says, "eight".

About eight meetings held per subregion focused on important issues and topics for each subregion.

A large, white number 7 over a light blue, white and green background. Over the number in blue is text that says, "seven".

Seven spring legislative breakfasts hosted for subregional members and legislators to discuss legislative priorities.

A large, white number 6 over a light blue, white and green background. Over the number in blue is text that says, "six".

Six subregional special events held with members and partners such as site visits, workshops and more.

Legislative Breakfasts

A large room full of people sitting at tables at the ICC legislative breakfast. One person is standing at the front of the room wearing a blue shirt and pink cardigan speaking into a microphone.

Inner Core Committee (ICC)

A room full of people sitting at tables. Some are looking at the camera, others are talking.

Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination (MAGIC)

A small room with some people sitting at small tables facing the front of the room where a panel of speakers are presenting and sitting behind a long table.

MetroWest Regional Collaborative (MWRC)

A room full of people standing around the room talking, and people sitting at round tables.

North Shore Task Force (NSTF) and North Suburban Planning Council (NSPC)

A small room of people sitting at a table in a horse shoe shape. They are looking towards the front of the room where a person is speaking.

South Shore Coalition (SSC)

A large room full of people sitting at wooden topped tables. They are looking towards MAPC Executive Director Marc Draisen who is speaking.

Three Rivers Interlocal Council (TRIC)

SouthWest Advisory Planning Committee (SWAP)

Special Events

A collage of photos of people participating in the Placemaking Strategy training.

Photo Credit: MAPC

MAGIC and MWRC Creative Placemaking Trainings

In October and November MAPC staff hosted two Regional Trails Creative Placemaking Workshops as part of the Regional Trails Creative Placemaking Strategy project. The workshops included interactive mapping activities, breakout group discussions, and “WalkShop” discussions on using arts and culture, including inclusive signage and wayfinding, to connect trails with commercial areas and make them inclusive for all users.

The events were held in Acton and Holliston and sponsored by the Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination (MAGIC) and MWRC.

Many people stand outside together looking towards an old, brick building in a field. To the right of the brick building is a tree with yellow and green leaves.

Photo Credit: MAPC

Landline/MWRC Trails and Greenways Summit

MAPC has been working with Collaborative communities on advancing planning, design and construction of trails and greenways since 2021, with the purpose of filling in gaps in the regional LandLine network. Recent work has focused on closing one priority trail gap in each participating municipality with an opportunity for communities to choose a new focus if necessary.

The 2023 year culminated in the trail summit in Framingham in October, where over 70 participants discussed how to prioritize trails for dense and/or environmental justice communities, with an emphasis on connecting the Bruce Freeman Trail and the Upper Charles Trail through underserved communities in and around downtown Framingham.

The summit included walks and tours, including a walk around Farm Pond.

NSPC Youth Internship Panel

Cities and towns across MAPC face challenges hiring and retaining staff as well as creating a pipeline of younger, passionate staff who can take over as veteran staff retire. Our subregional members emphasized this challenge at the March 2024 legislative breakfast.

Based on this, we organized a panel consisting of a workforce organization, a university, and a local sustainability planner which work to place students and young adults at internships and jobs in the planning field.

Panelists and planners discussed how to best advertise entry level job and internship positions, the time it takes to manage new hires well and set them up for success, how to ensure the hiring process is equitable, the financial barriers to hiring interns, among many other topics.

Panelists:

Gemma Wilkens, Former Gloucester Sustainability Coordinator
Chris Albrizio-Lee, CEO, MassHire Metro North Workforce Board
Rebecca Westerling, Senior Cooperative Coordinator, Faculty at Northeastern University

A room of people sitting at round tables are looking towards two large tv screens where there is a transportation presentation on.

Photo Credit: MAPC

TRIC State of Transportation

On June 27, members of the Three River Interlocal Council (TRIC) gathered to discuss the State of Transportation in the subregion.

The event included brief presentations from Metropolitan Area Planning Council's Assistant Director of Transportation, Julia Wallerce and Senior Transportation Planner, Travis Pollack.

Additional presentations included Boston MPO Central Transporation Planning Staff, Ethan Lapointe, MBTA Deputy Director of Regional Transit Planning, Sandy Johnston, and Neponset Valley Transportation Management Association Director, Karen Dumaine.

Twenty attendees shared perspectives on transportation challenges facing the subregion and discussed visions for future collaboration opportunities. Conversations included town planners, town engineers and economic development managers across the region.

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FY24 in Review

Metropolitan Area Planning Council | www.mapc.org