Authors
-
Author Archives: Brian Falk
Remote Public Meetings Authorized Through April of 2022; New Law Extends Additional COVID-19 Emergency Rules
Public bodies may continue to hold remote meetings through April of 2022 under new legislation enacted this week. The statute, Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021, authorizes a quorum of a board or committee to meet remotely and require remote … Continue reading
Posted in Open Meeting Law, Town Meeting
Tagged Brian Falk, COVID-19, Open Meetings Law, Public Meetings, Town Meetings
Leave a comment
Municipal Permitting Timelines Resume on December 1
Effective December 1, municipal boards must follow the usual permitting deadlines following a COVID-19 statute enacted last week. Towns and cities had been operating under Section 17 of Chapter 53 of the Acts of 2020, which tolled the deadlines for commencing … Continue reading
Executive Order Loosens Open Meeting Law Requirements During Coronavirus Emergency
Governor Baker signed an Executive Order relieving government boards and committees from compliance with certain Open Meeting Law requirements during the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency. The Order gives public bodies greater leeway to hold closed-door and remote meetings, so that government agencies … Continue reading
Posted in Municipal, Open Meeting Law, Town Meeting
Tagged Open Meeting Law, Town Meeting
Leave a comment
Building the Boroughs: A Year in Review
In 2019, Mirick O’Connell’s permitting attorneys were proud to help our clients, large and small, with local approvals in Marlborough for 6 great projects. Thank you to our clients and the City of Marlborough for a wonderful year! Click here … Continue reading
Short-Term Rental Law Takes Effect July 1st
Governor Baker recently signed “An Act Regulating and Insuring Short-Term Rentals”, imposing new taxes, registration and inspection requirements, and other rules governing the short-term rental of homes and residential units through Airbnb, VRBO, and similar platforms. Overview: The new law … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
ATB: Solar Energy Systems Exempt From Property Taxes
Solar energy systems providing power to off-site locations are exempt from local property taxes, according to a ruling from the Appellate Tax Board. The ATB’s decision in Forrestall Enterprises, Inc. v. Board of Assessors of the Town of Westborough may … Continue reading
Posted in Municipal, Uncategorized, Westborough
Tagged Property Taxes, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy
Leave a comment
SJC: Private Forest Land Eligible for Tax Exemption
As an update to our previous post, the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) today reversed the Appellate Tax Board (ATB) and held that forest land owned by a private conservation organization should be exempt from local property taxes. The decision in … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental, Municipal, Open Space
1 Comment
MAPC: Region Needs 435,000 New Housing Units by 2040
The greater Boston area – including MetroWest – will need to add 435,000 new housing units by 2040 in order to sustain economic growth, according to a new report issued by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). Without additional housing, … Continue reading
Posted in Economic Development, MetroWest, Uncategorized
Tagged affordable housing, Housing
Leave a comment
SJC to Rule on Tax Status of Forest Land
In a case that could have broad – and expensive – implications for conservation organizations statewide, the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) must decide whether forest land owned by a nonprofit is entitled to a charitable exemption from property taxes. New … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental, Municipal, Open Space, Uncategorized
Leave a comment
CPA Grants to Churches Raise Constitutional Questions
A national religious liberty watchdog group is warning towns and cities against spending Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds on church buildings – a practice that has paid for historic preservation work at dozens of religious structures throughout Massachusetts. Municipalities frequently … Continue reading
Posted in Historic Preservation, Municipal, Uncategorized
2 Comments
Towns Can’t Ban Marijuana Shops; Zoning Moratoria OK
Towns and cities may not use zoning to ban marijuana shops, according to a recent ruling by the Attorney General’s Office. Zoning Ban Struck Down As noted in a previous post, municipal officials have been considering zoning provisions aimed at … Continue reading
Pending Legislation Would Dramatically Reform Massachusetts Land Use Law
The latest effort to overhaul Massachusetts land use law is backed by a coalition of planning, environmental and housing organizations. “An Act Promoting the Planning and Development of Sustainable Communities”, House Bill # 1859, was introduced on Beacon Hill last … Continue reading
Posted in Economic Development, Environmental, Municipal, Zoning
Tagged Economic Develpment, Environmental, Municipal, Zoning
Leave a comment
On Solid Ground: The Mirick Real Estate Law Blog 