Unless it has changed in the last few years, you will need to apply to your local police first and get a local "town" permit. Once you obtain that, you can go get the state permit.
I thought the MA LTC was only for 'pretty' people. 
-Bidah
You are correct about the town thing but, our town has one COP and he's State Police so I just process it through him directly. The Police Dept is about 100 feet from my house...
As too the MA LTC, I had mine for several years but I'm "ruggedly handsome", not too pretty!

I had to forfeit mine when I moved south but can re-apply immediately. I spend too much time in the car here, blink and you're in another state!
Can you do something about the politics there??? 
I hear that Bawny Fwank is in for the fight of his life in his district up there. Here, we're trying to elect the former WWE CEO to replace the crooked, POS Chris Dodd...