MGFOA

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Tower Hill Botanic Gardens, Boylston

8:30-9:15 AM Meeting Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:15-10:45 What every municipal official needs to know about their Chart of Accounts: Used by Town Officials, School Officials, outside auditors and the State, it is not just an issue for your accountant.  Hear from a panel discussing why this is an important issue and what works (and more importantly, what doesn’t); is your chart of accounts user friendly; does it work well for general government and the schools; how to get started on revising the chart of accounts.  Moderator Sandy Pooler, Arlington Deputy Town Manager, Panelists Maryellen Dunn, Brookline Deputy Superintendent for Administration and Finance , Wendy Nightingale, Easton Finance Director and Hannah York, Clifton Larson Allen CPA/Manager.

10:45-11:00 Break

11:00-12:15 Round Table Discussions – Join your MGFOA colleagues in round table discussions regarding several timely topics;  best practices in the Tax Rate Recap Process, High Deductible Health Plans (the newest entry into municipal healthcare), Ambulance Revenue Recovery (through the Mass. Medicaid Program), and Treasurer/Collector Best Practices.  There will be two half hour sessions so you will get to choose from topics that interest you.

12:30 Lunch

Lunch Discussion:   Debrief the Panel Discussions

Registration Fee is $25, Register online and send a check to Marc Waldman or bring a check to the meeting:

The MMAAA (Massachusetts Municipal Auditors and Accountants Association) has been invited to this meeting please register early as space is limited to 88 participants.

Directions

Tower Hill is located in Central Massachusetts, about 10 miles northeast of Worcester. There is plenty of free parking. Get directions to Tower Hill on Google Maps.

From Boston

Take the Massachusetts Turnpike to Exit 11A, I-495. Take I-495 North to Exit 25B, I-290 West toward Worcester. Take Exit 24, Church Street, Northborough/Boylston. Follow Church Street toward Boylston for 3 miles. The entrance to Tower Hill is on the right; a dark red sign designates the entrance.

From Providence, Rhode Island

From I-95 North, take Route 146 north exit. Follow for approximately 35 miles toward Worcester. In Worcester, take the exit for I-290 east. Follow through the city to Exit 24, Church Street, Northborough/
Boylston. Follow Church Street toward Boylston for 3 miles. The entrance to Tower Hill is on the right; a dark red sign designates the entrance.

From Hartford, CT and Springfield, MA

Take the Massachusetts Turnpike east toward Boston. Follow for approximately 40 miles to Exit 10, I-290 Worcester. Take I-290 east. Follow through the city to Exit 24, Church Street, Northborough/Boylston. Follow Church Street toward Boylston for 3 miles. The entrance to Tower Hill is on the right; a dark red sign designates the entrance.

From the North or Northwest

Take Route 2 toward Leominster. Take I-190 South to Exit 5, Route 140. Turn left on Route 140 South.
Continue on Route 140 through West Boylston to traffic light at intersection of Route 140 and Route 70. Turn left onto Route 70. Travel 1 mile through the center of Boylston. Continue on Route 70 another 1/2 mile to a blinking yellow light at French Drive (marked by a blue highway sign "turn right for Tower Hill Botanic Garden"). Turn right and proceed a short distance to the entrance to Tower Hill Botanic Garden on left; a dark red sign designates the entrance.
OR
Take Route 2 to Exit 35, Route 70 Lancaster Lunenburg. Follow Route 70 through Lancaster and Clinton, passing Tahanto Regional High School on the right. Approximately 1-1/4 miles further along Route 70, turn left at the blinking yellow light at French Drive (marked by a blue highway sign "turn left for Tower Hill). Tower Hill Botanic Garden is on the left; a dark red sign designates the entrance.

Public Transportation from Boston

Take Commuter Rail from South Station or Back Bay Station to Westborough, North Grafton or Worcester (Union Station). Unfortunately, the only transportation to the garden from these stations is by cab.