Baker-Polito administration launches first Community Compact applications

The Baker-Polito administration last week launched the application process for the Community Compact, an opportunity for cities and towns to enter into partnerships with the state to accomplish mutually agreed upon goals. The Community Compact is the result of Governor Charlie Baker’s first executive order signed in January which created a cabinet to strengthen the Administration’s partnerships with cities and towns. An online portal will be available to local leaders that details the process, commitments, and incentives.

“We have traveled to every corner of the Commonwealth to meet with municipal leaders and learn more about the best ways to partner with our communities, and today we’re proud to launch this application process for the Community Compact,” said Polito. “By promoting best practices and incentivizing our cities and towns, I look forward to championing this effort to create better opportunities for our schools and communities.”

The Community Compact will offer clear mutual standards, expectations, and accountability for both the state and municipalities as both partners seek to create better government for our citizens.

Community Compact process:

• A municipal leader completes the application available at mass.gov/ccc where their city or town pledges to adopt one or more best practices. Municipalities may apply once during this round, and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. As a partnership, the Commonwealth agrees to fulfill its own set of commitments.
• All applications are reviewed by the Division of Local Services within a month of submission.
• Once approved, both the municipal leader (i.e. Mayor or Board of Selectmen Chair) and Lieutenant Governor Polito will sign the Community Compact.
• The Commonwealth will provide technical assistance, as needed, to the municipality to develop or implement their chosen best practice(s).
• To reward those communities striving to become more innovative and accountable, the Commonwealth offers incentives through various state grants and programs. For example, the fifth annual round of the MassWorks Infrastructure Program is now open, and municipalities who have begun the process of signing a Community Compact will benefit on their MassWorks grant application.

More information on the compacts, obligations, incentives, and deadlines can be found on the FAQ page of the website.

About the Community Compact cabinet:

Over the last four months, the Community Compact Cabinet — chaired by Polito and comprised of the secretaries of Housing & Economic Development, Education, Transportation, and Energy & Environmental Affairs, the senior deputy commissioner of Local Services, the assistant secretary of Operational Services, and the chief information officer of the Commonwealth — developed, in consultation with cities and towns, the best practices included on the application. The cabinet members have and will continue to champion municipal interests across all executive secretariats and agencies, helping state agencies be better partners with municipalities and better leveraging their resources for the benefit of communities across the commonwealth.