Senate, July 30, 2024 - New draft (Senator Cyr) to Senate Bill authorizing the town of Nantucket to convey for roadway and any other purposes certain parcels of land within the roadway known as Ames Avenue, and shown as lots 35-38 (inclusive) in block 31 on land court plan no. 2408-m filed with the Nantucket registry district of the land court situated in the town of Nantucket held for conservation or recreational purposes to be conveyed for roadway and/or any purposes (Senate, No. 2417).
This bill authorizes the state's Capital Asset Management and Maintenance commissioner to transfer two specific parcels of land in Lowell to the city for redevelopment: the former district court site at 41 Hurd Street and the former Middlesex Superior Court complex at 330 Gorham Street along with associated parking lots. The state will convey these properties to the city for a nominal fee of one dollar, with no warranties provided, and the commissioner must publicly disclose the transaction if the sale price is below the property's calculated fair market value. Once the city owns the land, it may sell or lease the parcels, but any net proceeds from such transactions must be split equally between the city and the state, with the state's share deposited into a dedicated courts capital fund. The city is responsible for all costs related to the transfer and future management of the land, and if the city does not complete the purchase within 180 days, the state retains the right to sell or lease the properties itself.
This bill authorizes the state's Commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to transfer specific land parcels in Lancaster, formerly the site of the Lancaster Industrial School for Girls, to the town of Lancaster. The transaction requires the town to pay one dollar as consideration, and the land is conveyed without any warranties from the state. If the town later sells or leases the property, the net proceeds must be shared equally between the town and the state, though the state may accept a reduced share of up to 40 percent to encourage a quicker sale. The legislation also establishes rules for the town if it decides to keep the land for municipal use, requiring an independent appraisal and a reversionary clause that returns the land to the state if it stops being used for public purposes. Finally, the bill sets a June 30, 2025, deadline for the town to complete the purchase, after which the state is authorized to sell or lease the remaining parcels through competitive bidding.
This bill directs the Department of Correction to create a special sick leave bank specifically for employee Alicia Orlow. It allows any department employee to voluntarily donate their own sick, personal, or vacation days to this fund for Orlow's use. The law specifies that these donated days can only be used for illnesses or disabilities related to the original reason for the bank, and any unused time must be moved to an extended illness leave bank if Orlow leaves her job or asks to close the account.
This bill authorizes the state to transfer a 25-acre parcel of land in Lancaster to the Robert F. Kennedy Community Alliance, Inc., ending an existing lease agreement. The organization must use the property to care for children and support its mission of promoting well-being for youth and adults facing various challenges, while also maintaining the land. The transfer includes a condition that if the organization stops using the land for these specific purposes, ownership will revert to the state. Additionally, the organization assumes full responsibility for all future costs, liabilities, and environmental issues related to the property.
This bill authorizes the city of Springfield to allow police officer Lawrence E. Akers to continue working until he turns 70, rather than retiring at age 65. To ensure he remains fit for duty, the city can require annual medical examinations and must verify that he maintains all necessary training and certifications. Additionally, the law ensures that Akers does not lose pension benefits for working past age 65 and will receive a retirement allowance equivalent to what he would have gotten had he retired at 65.
This law establishes a funding program to rehabilitate, modernize, and preserve state-assisted public housing while supporting affordable rental and homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents. The legislation allocates $50 million to build facilities for licensed early care and education programs and provides $60 million for loans and grants to help homeowners and tenants with disabilities or blindness make their residences more accessible. Additional funds are designated to develop community-based housing for individuals with mental illness or intellectual disabilities, with a preference for nonprofit organizations and a focus on integrated housing models. The bill also allows for infrastructure improvements and includes provisions to prioritize projects that meet decarbonization and sustainability standards.
By Representative Jones of North Reading, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 9) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to further regulate the Lynnfield Center Water District. Environment and Natural Resources.
By Representative Consalvo of Boston, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Rob Consalvo that the Department of Conservation and Recreation be authorized to erect a bench in the Hyde Park neighborhood of the city of Boston in honor of Rita Walsh. Environment and Natural Resources.
By Representative Peisch of Wellesley and Senator Creem, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4042) of Alice Hanlon Peisch and Cynthia Stone Creem (by vote of the town) relative to the appropriation and expenditure of community preservation funds for community housing purposes in the town of Wellesley. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]
By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 469) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to designate a certain park in the city of Cambridge as Richard McKinnon park. Environment and Natural Resources.
This bill amends the town charter of Wareham to remove a specific section and change a date in the document. The primary change involves deleting section 3-9 entirely and updating a deadline in section 5-3 from January 25 to February 28. These adjustments modify the official rules governing the town's operations and administrative timelines. Once signed into law, the new charter provisions will apply to the town of Wareham.
