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Category Archives: Municipal
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
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PFAS Concerns Mounting for Cities and Towns as MassDEP Proposes Maximum Contaminant Level in Drinking Water
Many of our readers will be aware that on December 27, 2019, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) proposed a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for PFAS in drinking water of 20 parts per trillion (0.02 ug/L or ppt) for six PFAS … Continue reading
A Landfill Is Not a “Point Source” Under the Clean Water Act, So Says the 4th Circuit and D.Mass.
Two recent rulings address the issue of whether a landfill is a “point source” under the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq. (CWA), Sierra Club v. Virginia Electric et al and Toxics Action Center et al v. … Continue reading
Breathing New Life into Worcester’s Former County Courthouse
Since 2007, the Worcester County Courthouse at 2 Main Street has been largely vacant. After the trial courts moved to the new Worcester Regional Judicial Center at 225 Main Street in the fall of 2007, the Worcester Law Library was … Continue reading
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
Posted in Environmental, Municipal, Open Space
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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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On Solid Ground’s Top Five Stories of 2013
With 2013 coming to an end, it’s time to take a look back at the year that was. Each year brings new developments in real estate, environmental and construction law, and 2013 was certainly no exception. Here’s our pick for … Continue reading
Posted in Broker Liability, Construction, Contracts, Environmental, Hazardous Materials, Municipal, Wetlands, Zoning
Tagged DeWolfe, Kootz v. St. Johns River Water Management District, marijuana dispensaries, Massachusetts Appeals Court, Massachusetts Contingency Plan, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Perini Corp., Supreme Judicial Court
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Judge Cutler Appointed as Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Land Court
Chief Justice Paula M. Carey of the Trial Court has appointed Justice Judith C. Cutler as the Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Land Court. Judge Cutler will serve a five-year term starting on January 2, 2014. She succeeds current Chief Justice … Continue reading
Legislature’s $1.4 Billion Bond Bill Amends Controversial Chapter 40B
The Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives recently passed a $1.4 billion bond bill authorizing, among other things, $500 million in repairs and improvements to public housing and $305 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. While the dollar amounts … Continue reading
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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Supreme Court Ruling a Victory for Developers’ Fifth Amendment Property Rights
The U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling today in the closely-watched Koontz v. St. Johns River Water Management District case. The decision is a major victory for private property rights, particularly in the land use permitting context. In a 5-4 … Continue reading
On Solid Ground: The Mirick Real Estate Law Blog 