Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H3995

Introduced
7/17/23  

Caption

Permitting the town of Wakefield to convey an easement to the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department

Impact

The bill not only permits the easement for the energy park but also requires the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department to provide an easement for open space and conservation, approximately 2.51 acres in size, back to the town. This mutual exchange aims to balance development with the preservation of green spaces, potentially setting a precedent for similar municipal arrangements elsewhere. This reflects a trend in local governance towards sustainable and comprehensive land use policies.

Summary

House Bill 3995 is an act that allows the town of Wakefield to grant a perpetual easement to the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department. This easement will enable the construction and maintenance of an energy park on town-owned land, which is approximately 43,000 square feet in size. This legislative action represents a specific local governance matter, as it seeks to empower Wakefield officials to make decisions regarding the use of town land without the typical restrictions imposed by general or special laws.

Conclusion

As the bill moves forward, its successful enactment could signify a model for integrating public utility expansion with environmental stewardship in municipal planning. The Wakefield community's response to this balance of development versus conservation will likely influence future legislation regarding municipal land use and local governance practices.

Contention

Discussion surrounding H3995 has centered on the implications of such easements for municipal power and local governance. Some stakeholders may argue that while the bill enhances local energy capabilities through the energy park, it raises questions about the long-term commitments to conservation and how such developments could affect local ecosystems. Advocacy for public utility needs must be weighed carefully against the rights of the community to maintain open spaces and natural resources.

Companion Bills

MA H3807

Similar To Authorizing the town of Wakefield to establish a means tested senior citizen property tax exemption

MA H4062

Replaced by Permitting the town of Wakefield to convey an easement to the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department

MA H3729

Replaces Permitting the town of Wakefield to convey an easement to the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department

Previously Filed As

MA H4062

Permitting the town of Wakefield to convey an easement to the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department

MA H3729

Permitting the town of Wakefield to convey an easement to the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department

MA H3807

Authorizing the town of Wakefield to establish a means tested senior citizen property tax exemption

MA HB07278

An Act Concerning The Conveyance Of Certain Parcels And Easements Of State Land, The Redevelopment Of Property In The Town Of Preston And A Requirement To Appraise Certain Municipal Property Prior To Sale.

MA HJR725

Commending the Wakefield High School rowing program.

MA SB829

Authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the Governor, to grant and convey certain easements through and across lands of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the Township of Manheim, County of Lancaster, for purposes of a road realignment project and to accept from the Township of Manheim existing right-of-way to be abandoned as part of the road realignment project; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Governor, to grant and convey to Drexel University, permanent easement encumbering certain lands situate in the City and County of Philadelphia; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the City of Philadelphia certain land, buildings and improvements situated in the 40th ward of the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County; authorizing the release of Project 70 restrictions on certain land owned by Lower Salford Township, Montgomery County, in return for the development of a hiking trail and scenic viewing area in Lower Salford Township, Montgomery County; revoking a use restriction; and making repeals.

MA HB2216

Authorizing the Department of General Services, on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and with the approval of the Governor, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, to quitclaim and release to the United States of America any right, title or interest it may have with respect to a certain use restriction and a related reversionary interest related to certain portions of Valley Forge National Historical Park situate in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; authorizing the release of Project 70 restrictions on certain land owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in Overfield Township, Wyoming County; authorizing the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the City of Philadelphia a right-of-way easement situate in the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, in exchange for improvements to Benjamin Rush State Park and monetary consideration to the Commonwealth to be used toward the acquisition and conveyance of a tract of land to be added to French Creek State Park; authorizing the transfer of administrative jurisdiction of portions of State park lands in exchange for certain lands situate in New Vernon Township, Mercer County, from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to the Department of Transportation for anticipated highway improvement projects; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Agriculture and the Governor, to grant and convey to Joshua R. Snyder a certain tract of land located in Windsor Township, Berks County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey certain lands and improvements situate in Haverford Township, Delaware County, to Carelink Community Support Services of PA, Inc.; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Governor, to grant and convey to The Roland Curtin Foundation for the Preservation of Eagle Furnace, certain lands, buildings and improvements, situate in Boggs Township, Centre County, and further authorizing the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to transfer to The Roland Curtin Foundation for the Preservation of Eagle Furnace its buildings located on adjacent property leased from the United States Department of the Army; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Franklin Township, Greene County, certain lands situate in Franklin Township, Greene County; authorizing the Department of General Services to convey to the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism, a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, certain lands and improvements thereon, situate in Oil City, Venango County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, to convey to the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism, a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, certain lands and improvements thereon, situate in Oil City, Venango County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Transportation and the Governor, to grant and convey to the Bear Creek Township Volunteer Hose Company an access easement and two storm water easements from certain lands situate in Bear Creek Township, Luzerne County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to release a portion of a use restriction affecting certain real property situate in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County, which the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania previously conveyed to the School District of the City of Harrisburg; authorizing the sale and transfer of title for a 0.232 acre of

MA SB855

Authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Governor, to grant and convey to Drexel University, permanent easement encumbering certain lands situate in the City and County of Philadelphia.

MA HB1845

Authorizing the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the City of Philadelphia a right-of-way easement situate in the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, in exchange for improvements to Benjamin Rush State Park and monetary consideration to the Commonwealth to be used toward the acquisition and conveyance of a tract of land to be added to French Creek State Park.

MA HB553

Authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority certain lands situate in the City of Harrisburg, Dauphin County; authorizing the transfer of an easement interest in lands for a portion of the Project 70 lands owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, known as Lake Winola Access, in Overfield Township, Wyoming County, to the Department of Transportation; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, to convey to Tioga County a tract of land, and to accept a tract of land from Tioga County, both tracts being located in Charleston Township, Tioga County; and authorizing the Department of General Services, on behalf

Similar Bills

MA H4062

Permitting the town of Wakefield to convey an easement to the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department

MA H3729

Permitting the town of Wakefield to convey an easement to the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department

VA HJR725

Commending the Wakefield High School rowing program.

LA HR6

Expresses condolences upon the death of Donald Joseph Grush

MA H3807

Authorizing the town of Wakefield to establish a means tested senior citizen property tax exemption

MA H4965

Authorizing the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to convey a certain parcel of land in the town of Stoneham

MA H3312

Authorizing the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to convey a certain parcel of land in the town of Stoneham

TX HR1991

Congratulating Parten Wakefield of Shady W Ranch in Brazos County on his receipt of a 2021 Lone Star Land Steward Ecoregion Award.