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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1845 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1305
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Jason M. Lewis, (BY REQUEST)
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act to study establishment of, and definition of, a Middlesex Regional Commission.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Vincent Lawrence Dixon60 Lake Street Unit N, Winchester MA
01890 1 of 3
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1845 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1305
By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1305) of Vincent
Lawrence Dixon for legislation to study establishment of, and definition of, a Middlesex
Regional Commission. Municipalities and Regional Government.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1345 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act to study establishment of, and definition of, a Middlesex Regional Commission.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION I. The Massachusetts General Laws are hereby amended by inserting the
2following new chapter:
3 An Act to Study establishment of, and definition of, a Middlesex Regional Commission.
4 1.) A Middlesex Working Group (MWG), to examine, and specify, the concept, and
5recommendations regarding a Middlesex Regional Commission, shall be established.
6 2.) Whereas, it appears, and is substantially believed by many individuals, local
7governments, organizations, and groups, that various undesirable pressures exist, and have been
8created in many parts of, and much of the region, known as Middlesex County, made up of 54
9municipalities. 2 of 3
10 3a.) Whereas, it is thought that these pressures include negative impacts from what is
11called overdevelopment: including reduction, and loss of wetlands, flood plains, watersheds,
12permeable surfaces, open space, open land, in certain areas, insufficient development of public
13park and recreation land, loss of farm, and other agricultural land; unplanned pressures on local
14school district enrollments and budgets; and poor quality of construction, and infill construction.
15 3b.) Aware of particular, and substantial needs for expansion of housing availability,
16appropriate balances, must be considered, as part of the ultimate goals of the Middlesex Regional
17Commission.
18 4.) Therefore, this Act is established, to create a study group called the Middlesex
19Working Group (MWG), to consider the creation of a generally beneficial, and supervisory body,
20for the 54 municipalities, and people, of Middlesex County, to be known as the Middlesex
21Regional Commission, composed of a variety of members.
22 4a.) The Special Commission, named the Middlesex Working Group (MWG), is
23authorized, to be created, referencing the manner, among other reference points, in which the
24Cape Cod Commission, has been established, and operates; to report back to the public, and the
25General Court, in a timely manner of between 12, and 24 months.
26 4b.) The MWG shall be composed of representatives from each of the cities, and towns
27of Middlesex County. Each of the 54 municipalities shall nominate one representative. Once this
28body is convened, it may consider also the sub-definitions of Middlesex North, and Middlesex
29South, as either separate districts, or sub-districts of the contemplated Middlesex Regional
30Commission (MRC). The MWG may also identify, recruit, and otherwise obtain useful
31additional advice, testimony, and other consultation, as seems needed, and proper. 3 of 3
32 4c.) The MWG shall collect detailed materials, by Open Public Meetings (OPMs),
33written submission, requested expert testimony, and other relevant means; and shall produce both
34a Summary Public Report (SPR), and a General Report (GR), of findings, including appropriate
35analysis, and recommendations for future actions, and the establishment of a permanent
36Middlesex Regional Commission (MRC).
37 5a.) The Middlesex Working Group (MWG), shall consider the definition of goals, for
38the Middlesex Regional Commission (MRC) to include a wide range, including, in part:
39 Additional protections of the natural environment, including wetlands, floodplains,
40watersheds, permeable surfaces, open space, open land, and agricultural uses.
41 5b.) In addition, particular standards to be encouraged should include, enhanced
42construction standards; welcoming more neighborhood, and community friendly contractors;
43requiring more durable and substantial forms of building construction, more environmentally
44responsible design, including solar, wind, geothermal, and other effective, and responsible
45aspects.
46 6.) There shall be consultation, and evaluation with, local municipal school districts, on
47their expectations, for advance enrollment projections of at least five, ten, and twenty years, in
48establishing potential trends, for more fully services integrated communities.
49 7.) Regional housing goals, objectives, and standards, shall be apportioned across the
50regional commission district of the Middlesex Regional Commission. The Commission goals,
51are to be specifically oriented to support local community-friendly values.