Civil Municipal View Feb2023

86 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2 ordered by Massachusetts Bay to the northeast and Rhode Island to the southwest, Norfolk County (pop. 800,000) consists of more than two dozen communities clustered around Boston. It is notably famous for being the birthplace of four U.S. Presidents and, as such, is duly dignified with the moniker ‘County of Presidents. Like so many places in the state that have standing links to sister communities in the United Kingdom, Norfolk is also twinned by an English county of the same name, combining traditions of the past with the spirit of the future. “Norfolk is made up of 28 cities and towns varying in size, histories, and forms of governance,” notes County Director John Cronin. “These communities have roots that extend hundreds of years to our colonial days, and the richness of our history is really driven by industry which, in the beginning, spanned mills, agriculture, and manufacturing. More recently, however, you can see the diversity of economies in our region, particularly in places like Quincy, a coastal city with a long shipbuilding history that became home to a booming immigrant population,” he adds.“We like to think that each community brings forth its own identity.We also try to emphasize the benefits of regionalized governance and management in laying out a vision to save taxpayers’ money and deliver quality services.” Ranking among the healthiest in the country last year alongside neighboring Nantucket and Middlesex Counties, Norfolk shines brightest in categories such as Education, Economy, and Population Health.“I’m going to sound prejudiced since I’m a resident of Canton in Norfolk County, but I’ve always felt—and as a Commissioner, now feel even stronger—that Norfolk County is one of the best counties in the state,” shares County Commissioner Richard Staiti. “It’s well run, it’s well governed, and we have a very strong leadership representation at the State House in the form of our Speaker, Ron Mariano.We have a strong legislative delegation, both at the state and federal levels.We are open to new ideas and B