Join our email list to be notified of our next event. The programs are free and open to all interested citizens and public officials.

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Dr. Thomas Payzant, the featured speaker at the 2007 Annual Meeting discussed the findings

of a recently released-report calling for the radical restructuring of Pre-k through 12 public

education. See his PowerPoint presentation and read the Executive Summary of

Tough Choices or Tough Times.

See also A Joint Platform for Education Reform, a report by the US Chamber of Commerce for additional recommendations.

Presentations from recent forums:

• The Impact of Globalization on Manufacturing in Central Massachusetts

See presentations from the forum's panelists:

Howard Greis, President of Kinefac Corporation

Trevor Havard, President of Precision Detectors

Jack Healy, Director of Operations, MassMEP

Edmund Kenney, Senior Vice President International Manufacturing at Morgan Construction.

• Making Sense of State and Local Tax Dollars in FY08

Forum held on March 15, 2007 at Clark University

Corporate sponsor:  TD Banknorth

Worcester City Manager Michael O'Brien's PowerPoint Presentation

Uxbridge Town Manager Jill Myers' PowerPoint Presentation

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• 300 Million and Counting: Implications of Demographic Changes for Central Mass

Forum held on February 16, 2007 at Quinsigamond Community College

Corporate sponsor: Unum   

Dr. Goodman's PowerPoint presentation

Past Meetings & Forums
As part of its public education effort, the Research Bureau sponsors the Francis A. Harrington Forums on Municipal Government, which highlight current municipal issues. Past panelists include prominent experts on both the state and local level. The forums are hosted by local area colleges and are taped for rebroadcast a number of times on the local cable TV channel. Past forums include:

• The Research Bureau Honors Four Outstanding City of Worcester Employees

  Economic Development Meetings & Forums

• Education Meetings & Forums
• Local Governance Meetings & Forums
• Municipal Finance Meetings & Forums
• Transportation Policy Meetings & Forums
• Urban Policy Meetings & Forums

In addition, each year, The Research Bureau brings distinguished scholars and public officials to the area to illuminate current issues and enrich public debate.

Thomas S. Green Public Service Awards
Each year, The Research Bureau presents the Thomas S. Green Public Service Award for outstanding public service by municipal employees. Since 1988, The Research Bureau has recognized the distinguished service of over 70 public employees below the rank of department head.

Tools
ComNET - Computerized Neighborhood Environment Tracking
Are you concerned about the physical condition of your neighborhood? ComNET can help! Residents tend to judge the quality of life in their neighborhoods by conditions such as potholes, litter, vacant lots, and abandoned vehicles. In the past, concerned citizens have conducted pen and paper surveys to record such problems or called government officials to complain about a particular problem like an abandoned vehicle. ComNET takes such surveys one step further by introducing the most up-to-date technology.