Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S1453 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1 of 1
2	2	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1260 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
3	3	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1453
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	Jason M. Lewis, (BY REQUEST)
8	8	_________________
9	9	To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
10	10	Court assembled:
11	11	The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
12	12	An Act to study establishment of, and definition of, a Middlesex Regional Commission.
13	13	_______________
14	14	PETITION OF:
15	15	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Vincent Dixon60 Lake St Apt N Winchester MA 01890 1 of 3
16	16	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1260 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
17	17	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1453
18	18	By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1453) of Vincent Dixon,
19	19	for legislation to study establishment of, and definition of, a Middlesex Regional Commission.
20	20	Municipalities and Regional Government.
21	21	[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
22	22	SEE SENATE, NO. 1305 OF 2023-2024.]
23	23	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
24	24	_______________
25	25	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
26	26	(2025-2026)
27	27	_______________
28	28	An Act to study establishment of, and definition of, a Middlesex Regional Commission.
29	29	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
30	30	of the same, as follows:
31	31	1 SECTION 1. The Massachusetts General Laws are hereby amended by inserting the
32	32	2following new chapter:
33	33	3 An Act to Study establishment of, and definition of, a Middlesex Regional Commission.
34	34	4 1.) A Middlesex Working Group (MWG), to examine, and specify, the concept, and
35	35	5recommendations regarding a Middlesex Regional Commission, shall be established.
36	36	6 2.) Whereas, it appears, and is substantially believed by many individuals, local
37	37	7governments, organizations, and groups, that various undesirable pressures exist, and have been
38	38	8created in many parts of, and much of the region, known as Middlesex County, made up of 54
39	39	9municipalities. 2 of 3
40	40	10 3a.) Whereas, it is thought that these pressures include negative impacts from what is
41	41	11called overdevelopment: including reduction, and loss of wetlands, flood plains, watersheds,
42	42	12permeable surfaces, open space, open land, in certain areas, insufficient development of public
43	43	13park and recreation land, loss of farm, and other agricultural land; unplanned pressures on local
44	44	14school district enrollments and budgets; and poor quality of construction, and infill construction.
45	45	15 3b.) Aware of particular, and substantial needs for expansion of housing availability,
46	46	16appropriate balances, must be considered, as part of the ultimate goals of the Middlesex Regional
47	47	17Commission.
48	48	18 4.) Therefore, this Act is established, to create a study group called the Middlesex
49	49	19Working Group (MWG), to consider the creation of a generally beneficial, and supervisory body,
50	50	20for the 54 municipalities, and people, of Middlesex County, to be known as the Middlesex
51	51	21Regional Commission, composed of a variety of members.
52	52	22 4a.) The Special Commission, named the Middlesex Working Group (MWG), is
53	53	23authorized, to be created, referencing the manner, among other reference points, in which the
54	54	24Cape Cod Commission, has been established, and operates; to report back to the public, and the
55	55	25General Court, in a timely manner of between 12, and 24 months.
56	56	26 4b.) The MWG shall be composed of representatives from each of the cities, and towns
57	57	27of Middlesex County. Each of the 54 municipalities shall nominate one representative. Once this
58	58	28body is convened, it may consider also the sub-definitions of Middlesex North, and Middlesex
59	59	29South, as either separate districts, or sub-districts of the contemplated Middlesex Regional
60	60	30Commission (MRC). The MWG may also identify, recruit, and otherwise obtain useful
61	61	31additional advice, testimony, and other consultation, as seems needed, and proper. 3 of 3
62	62	32 4c.) The MWG shall collect detailed materials, by Open Public Meetings (OPMs),
63	63	33written submission, requested expert testimony, and other relevant means; and shall produce both
64	64	34a Summary Public Report (SPR), and a General Report (GR), of findings, including appropriate
65	65	35analysis, and recommendations for future actions, and the establishment of a permanent
66	66	36Middlesex Regional Commission (MRC).
67	67	37 5a.) The Middlesex Working Group (MWG), shall consider the definition of goals, for
68	68	38the Middlesex Regional Commission (MRC) to include a wide range, including, in part:
69	69	39 Additional protections of the natural environment, including wetlands, floodplains,
70	70	40watersheds, permeable surfaces, open space, open land, and agricultural uses.
71	71	41 5b.) In addition, particular standards to be encouraged should include, enhanced
72	72	42construction standards; welcoming more neighborhood, and community friendly contractors;
73	73	43requiring more durable and substantial forms of building construction, more environmentally
74	74	44responsible design, including solar, wind, geothermal, and other effective, and responsible
75	75	45aspects.
76	76	46 6.) There shall be consultation, and evaluation with, local municipal school districts, on
77	77	47their expectations, for advance enrollment projections of at least five, ten, and twenty years, in
78	78	48establishing potential trends, for more fully services integrated communities.
79	79	49 7.) Regional housing goals, objectives, and standards, shall be apportioned across the
80	80	50regional commission district of the Middlesex Regional Commission. The Commission goals,
81	81	51are to be specifically oriented to support local community-friendly values.