Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H4062

Introduced
8/17/23  
Engrossed
8/17/23  
Engrossed
11/2/23  
Chaptered
11/22/23  

Caption

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

Impact

The successful passage of HB 4062 represents a significant step in promoting renewable energy efforts within Wakefield. In exchange for the easement, the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department is mandated to relinquish a conservation restriction on approximately 2.51 acres of land to the town’s conservation commission, ensuring that this area is protected for open space and conservation purposes. Moreover, the municipal department is tasked with additional responsibilities, such as planting trees in designated public spaces to enhance the town's environmental initiatives.

Summary

House Bill 4062 proposes to authorize the town of Wakefield to convey a perpetual easement to the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department for the construction and maintenance of an energy park. This facility is intended to function as a micro-grid and include elements such as solar energy systems, battery storage, and natural gas generators. The bill focuses on a specific parcel of land owned by the town, which measures approximately 43,560 square feet and is located on Hemlock Road. The bill also requires that the land, currently unused, is allocated for this energy initiative to advance local energy solutions.

Contention

While the bill advanced without any opposition during voting, discussions may have revolved around the implications of utilizing town-owned lands for municipal utility projects, particularly those that alter land use away from recreational purposes. Concerns could arise regarding the balance between developing energy solutions and preserving public spaces, particularly given the historical context of the land, which was previously acquired for playground purposes. However, the absence of public dissent in the voting record suggests a consensus or successful advocacy from those in favor of the bill's objectives.

Companion Bills

MA H3729

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

MA H3807

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

MA H3995

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

Previously Filed As

MA H3995

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 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 H3807

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

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 HB06672

An Act Concerning The Conveyance Of Certain Parcels Of State Land, The Boundaries Of Fenwick, The Validation Of Certain Town Actions, The City Point Yacht Club And Wheeler Library.

MA HB1518

Authorizing the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey certain lands and improvements situate in the 47th Ward of the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, to New Freedom Theatre, Inc.; 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.; and 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.

MA S2784

Authorizing the town of Andover to convey a non-exclusive access easement over a certain parcel of land

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

MA HB07421

An Act Concerning The Conveyance Of An Easement Over A Parcel Of State Land In The Town Of Newington.

Similar Bills

MA H3729

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

MA H3995

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.