Mayor set to take on larger role

Melrose Mayor Robert J. Dolan is poised to be elected president of the Massachusetts Mayors' Association at the group's annual meeting Jan. 24. The association's nominating committee voted Dec. 10 to recommend him for the unpaid position… Among the changes Dolan will be promoting are proposals to close telecommunications tax loopholes; to allow cities and towns to design their healthcare plans without collective bargaining; and to allow a reduction in the level of union approval needed to join the state's health insurance system. He also plans to advocate for allowing cities and towns to adopt a local meals tax; to increase the allowable local hotel tax; to remove obstacles to regionalizing services; and to allow municipalities to require drug and alcohol tests for public safety personnel without collective bargaining. [Full Article: Boston Globe]