


A state commission tasked with recommending a new Massachusetts seal and motto is turning to UMass Boston to conduct a survey that they hope will help inform work that is scheduled to wrap up this fall.
The Seal and Motto Commission has received multiple extensions to turn in final recommendations to the Legislature and now faces a Nov. 15 deadline to turn in to the state Legislature final recommendations for a new seal and motto.
At a virtual meeting on Wednesday, commission co-chair Brian Boyles said the group completed an interim report at its last meeting in December 2022 but could not submit it to lawmakers because state law did not specifically call for one.
“We now have about five months to follow through on the steps identified in the interim report and provide our final recommendations for the Legislature,” Boyles said amid many technical issues that made it hard to follow along with the virtual-only public meeting. “I would start today on a hopeful note, but I think also a realistic one and asking that we work with an Oct. 15 deadline to conduct all of our business and findings.”
Boyles said there is still “work that needs to be done” before a final report is submitted and draft legislation recommending a new state seal and motto is written.
“I do want to try and fit as much as possible into these four months,” he said.
Over the next few months, Boyles said the commission will work with UMass Boston to produce a public survey for residents to fill out. Lawmakers handed the group $100,000 to spend as it pursues a new seal and motto.
“The [Executive Office of Administration and Finance] recommendations point us to trying to do something with UMass Boston to, yet again, save us time but also reflect I think the unique expertise they have on their side,” he said.