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Author Archives: Brian Falk
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
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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
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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
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
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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
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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
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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
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Communities Taking Preemptive Strikes Against Marijuana Shops
Local officials across Massachusetts are seeking to restrict or ban marijuana dispensaries from opening in their towns and cities, likely setting up a legal showdown between local zoning provisions and the new state law legalizing medicinal marijuana. Marijuana Dispensaries May … Continue reading
Westborough to Regulate Solar Energy Projects
Voters at the Westborough Special Town Meeting this week approved a new zoning bylaw that requires large solar energy projects to undergo site plan review. Westborough is now the latest town to regulate solar installations, which have become increasingly common … Continue reading
Posted in MetroWest, Municipal, Town Meeting, Westborough, Zoning
Tagged Green Communities
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UPDATE: Permit Extension Act Extended
As an update to our previous post, the Jobs Bill signed by Governor Patrick this week amended the Permit Extension Act by adding two additional years to both the tolling period and the expiration period for state and local land … Continue reading
Posted in Construction, Economic Development, Environmental, Municipal, Wetlands, Zoning
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SJC: Involuntary Waiver of Wetlands Decision Deadline Invalid
A common practice by conservation commissions in which they preemptively extend their own deadlines under the state Wetlands Protection Act has been struck down by the Supreme Judicial Court. In this week’s Garrity v. Conservation Commission of Hingham decision, the Supreme Judicial … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental, Municipal, Wetlands
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