Category Archives: Legislature

House budget passed

Posted on May 2, 2015 | Comments Off on House budget passed

The Mass. Municipal Association has analyzed and sent out an alert on the House budget, and its inadequacies.  The main MMA issues continue to be the lack of proper financial support by the state for the towns, and mainly education funding.  The Governor’s budget proposed a $20/child increase in education funding, the House proposes a $25/child increase, and the MMA says it really should be $100/child, but at the very least a $50/child increase.

This was the MMA alert yesterday analyzing the House budget –

Thursday, April 30, 2015

HOUSE PASSES $38.1B FY 2016 STATE BUDGET THAT INCLUDES FUNDING FOR KEY MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL AID PROGRAMS

BUDGET AND LOCAL AID ACTION NOW GOES TO THE SENATE:
PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATORS TODAY AND URGE THEM TO INVEST IN CITIES AND TOWNS

Late yesterday afternoon, after 3 days of deliberation on 1096 amendments, the members of the House of Representatives unanimously adopted a trim $38.1 billion fiscal 2016 state budget plan that is nearly identical to the House Ways and Means draft (H. 3400) that was unveiled 2 weeks ago.

The House-passed budget would increase overall state expenditures by less than 3 percent, as the state seeks to close a projected $1.8 billion structural budget deficit by restraining spending and eliminating 4,500 state jobs through an early retirement program. The final House budget is several million dollars smaller than the budget filed by Governor Baker in March.

The action now turns to the state Senate. The Senate Ways & Means Committee is expected to release its proposed budget by mid-May, and the full Senate will pass its version before the end of the month.

The House budget provides strong progress on many important local aid priorities, while there are still a number of issues where further action or additional funding is needed.

Here is a summary and status of the key municipal and school funding issues in the fiscal 2016 state budget as adopted by House of Representatives on Wednesday:

$34 MILLION INCREASE IN UNRESTRICTED MUNICIPAL AID
In a major win for cities and towns, the House budget supports $979.8 million for UGGA, a $34 million increase over current funding – the same increase proposed by Governor Baker.  This would be the largest increase in discretionary municipal aid in nearly a decade.  Every city and town would see their UGGA funding increase by 3.6 percent.

$8.3 MILLION INCREASE INTENDED TO FULLY FUND SPECIAL EDUCATION CIRCUIT BREAKER
In another victory for cities and towns, House members supported full funding for the Special Education Circuit Breaker program.  Their budget plan would provide $261.7 million, an $8.3 million increase above fiscal 2015, with the intention of fully funding the account.  This is a vital program that every city, town and school district relies on to fund state-mandated services.

RESTORES $5 MILLION TO REGIONAL SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION
Last November, former Gov. Patrick used his 9C budget powers to eliminate the $18.7 million increase regional school transportation reimbursements that the Legislature originally enacted for fiscal 2015, reducing the final amount to $51.5 million.  The Governor proposed level funding at $51.5.  Recognizing the importance of this funding, the final House budget would restore $5 million to bring regional transportation reimbursements up to $56.5 million.  A proposed amendment to increase funding by another $4 million did not pass during the House budget debate.

RESTORES $18.6 MILLION TO KINDERGARTEN DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
The House budget would restore $18.6 million to the Kindergarten Development Grant program.  The Governor’s budget would have eliminated all funding, and House members want to level-fund the current appropriation, at least for the next year.  This is an important account, because eliminating the $18.6 million would have jeopardized expanded kindergarten programs all throughout the state.

CHAPTER 70 MINIMUM AID WOULD INCREASE TO $25 PER STUDENT
The House budget supports a $108.2 million increase in Chapter 70 education aid, with a provision providing every city, town and school district an increase of at least $25 per student.  This is $2.9 million more than the recommendation in the Governor’s budget submission, which included minimum aid of only $20 per student.  During the debate, the House did not adopt an amendment to raise minimum aid to $50 per student. Because most cities and towns only receive minimum aid, the MMA is calling for at least $50 per student minimum aid in the Legislature’s final budget.

McKINNEY-VENTO REIMBURSEMENTS WOULD INCREASE BY $1 MILLION
The final House budget would add $1 million to increase fiscal 2016 reimbursements for the transportation of homeless students to $8.4 million.  While the account remains below the full reimbursement called for under the state’s unfunded mandate law, it would be the first increase since fiscal 2013.  The House did not pass a proposed amendment to fully fund the account.

CHARTER SCHOOL REIMBURSEMENTS REMAIN SERIOUSLY UNDERFUNDED
Under state law, cities and towns that host or send students to charter schools are entitled to be reimbursed for a portion of their lost Chapter 70 aid.  The state fully funded the reimbursement program in fiscal 2013 and 2014, but is underfunding reimbursements by approximately $34 million this year.  Both the Governor and the House Ways and Means budgets would level-fund charter school reimbursements at $76.8 million, which would guarantee another major shortfall in fiscal 2016, and result in cutbacks for the majority of students who remain in the traditional school setting.  Increasing this account was a top priority for municipalities and school districts during the budget debate, but House members rejected an amendment that would have raised funding up to $130.5 million.  This will continue to be a major budget issue as debate turns to the Senate.

PAYMENTS-IN-LIEU-OF-TAXES (PILOT), LIBRARY AID ACCOUNTS, METCO, AND SHANNON ANTI-GANG GRANTS
The House budget would level fund PILOT payments at $26.77 million, continue to fund library grant programs at $18.5 million, and restore funding for METCO to $20.14 million. During debate, the House adopted an amendment to add $1 million to the Shannon anti-gang grant program, providing a final appropriation of $6 million, which is still $1 million below current fiscal 2015 (post-9C) funding.

PROTECTION OF MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
During the budget debate, Representatives approved an amendment adding an outside section that would prevent the practice of “pay the patient” by insurance companies, which undermines the ability of cities and towns to fund and operate effective and efficient ambulance services that are at the core of emergency medical response in Massachusetts. “Pay the patient” would force communities to pursue their own residents to recoup thousands of dollars in ambulance expenses, a system that is inefficient and subject to abuse.  The amendment would also clarify that municipalities are authorized to set a fair rate for ambulance services, preventing insurance companies from shifting costs to local property taxpayers through below-cost reimbursements.

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT FUNDING COULD RECEIVE $10 MILLION
During fiscal 2015, 156 cities and towns collected the local Community Preservation Act (CPA) surcharge and are eligible for state matching grants in fiscal 2016.  The Division of Local Services (DLS) estimates that the balance in the state trust fund will be sufficient to provide a first round match of only 18 percent of the surcharge levied by each city and town.  This would be the lowest state match in the program’s history.  Knowing this, House members voted to dedicate up to $10 million of any fiscal 2015 year-end state budget surplus to supplement the fiscal 2016 state match.

Please Call Your Senators Today and Urge them to Support Essential Funding for Municipal and Education Aid – Including the $34 Million Increase in Unrestricted Local Aid, Full Funding for the Special Education Circuit Breaker, Restoring Kindergarten Grants, and Adding Funds to Regional School Transportation

Please Explain How the House Budget Impacts Your Community, and Ask Your Senators to Build on this Progress with Further Increases for Charter School Reimbursements, Chapter 70 Minimum Aid, Regional School Transportation and Other Key Accounts

Thank You!

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Posted in Budgets, Legislature, Schools, State

MMA on state budget

Posted on April 23, 2015 | Comments Off on MMA on state budget

This today from the Massachusetts Municipal Association on what is important to towns in the state budget.  Highlights are the $50/pupil minimum state funding for education (currently it is at $25/pupil) and $25m. for the CPA –

Thursday, April 23, 2015

HOUSE DEBATE ON FY 2016 STATE BUDGET BEGINS MONDAY – CALL YOUR REPS.

Lawmakers Will Decide the Fate of 1,096 Amendments

Please Call Your Representatives Today on the Budget Amendments that Impact Key Municipal and School Priorities

The House of Representatives will begin debating the $38 billion fiscal 2016 state budget on Monday, April 27. The deliberations are expected to take several days, as Representatives have filed 1,096 amendments to make changes to H. 3400, the House Ways & Means Committee’s budget recommendation that was released last week.

Many of these amendments would directly impact cities and towns, including a number of welcome amendments that would increase funding for municipal and school aid accounts, and an unwelcome amendment that would have a negative impact on municipalities. This Legislative Alert describes the most important amendments that will be debated.

Please Call Your Representatives Today

Please call your Representatives as soon as possible today to secure their support for those amendments that would help your community, and ask them to oppose those amendments that would be harmful.

Lawmakers must hear from you on these issues. Because of the great number of amendments, the summaries here are very brief. Please contact MMA Legislative Director John Robertson at jrobertson@mma.org or 617-426-7272 x122 at any time if you have questions or need more details.

When you call your Representatives, please make sure to thank them for the proposals in the House budget to increase Unrestricted General Government Aid by $34 million (matching the Governor’s recommendation), for the $8.3 million increase intended to fully fund the Special Education Circuit Breaker, and for restoring $18.6 million to Kindergarten Development Grants.

Please Click Here to Download a Copy of the MMA’s Budget Letter to the House

Please Click Here to Visit the House Budget Website to See the Amendments: The House budget committee recommendation (H. 3400) and all proposed amendments are posted on the Legislature’s website at: http://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2016/House/ChamberActions

KEY BUDGET AMENDMENTS ON SCHOOL AND EDUCATION FUNDING
Adequate Chapter 70 Minimum Aid for Municipal and Regional Schools
The MMA is calling for a sufficient funding increase for Chapter 70 school aid to ensure that all municipal and regional school districts are able to reach the “foundation” level of spending, implement the equity provisions adopted in 2006, and provide an adequate amount of minimum aid that ensures that all schools receive an increase in fiscal 2016.

The Governor proposed a fiscal 2016 Chapter 70 increase of $105.3 million, which includes minimum aid of only $20 per student for 245 cities, towns and school districts, an insufficient amount to maintain current school staffing and services.  The HW&M recommendation would increase minimum aid to $25 per student, but in reality this still leaves too many schools unable to maintain quality school programs.  Recognizing that the Foundation Budget Review Commission will not file its report until mid-2015, far past the deadline for inclusion in the fiscal 2016 state budget, the MMA is urging the House to adopt a higher minimum aid amount to prevent further erosion in school financing at the local level.

• Please ask your Representatives to Support Amendment 663 filed by Rep. Cutler and others to increase the “minimum aid” amount to $50 per student.  This amendment would benefit 245 cities, towns and school districts, and give these communities a better chance of maintaining the quality of their existing education programming.

Reimbursements for Charter School Losses
The diversion of Chapter 70 school aid away from public schools to pay tuition to charter schools has imposed a major and growing financial burden on cities and towns, a problem made more acute as the state grants more charters and existing charter schools expand.  Local officials strongly support full funding of the Commonwealth’s commitment under section 89 of Chapter 71 of the General Laws to reimburse school districts for the loss of a portion of their Chapter 70 aid that is redirected to fund charter schools.

In fiscal 2015, it is expected that cities and towns will be forced to divert $444 million to fund charter schools, 10 percent of all Chapter 70 dollars.  This illustrates the importance of this issue to local governments, and why it is critical for the state to meet its commitment to this program.  The original $80 million appropriation in the fiscal 2015 general appropriations act was $30.5 million below the full funding amount required in the statutory formula, which was signed into law only a few years ago.  The problem has deepened with two rounds of 9C cuts to this account ($3.1 million), increasing the fiscal 2015 shortfall to at least $33.6 million.

The funding shortfall means that cities and towns are receiving only a fraction of the reimbursements due according to state law.  This is impacting a large number of communities, including some the state’s poorest and most financially distressed cities and towns.  Thus, the underfunding of the charter school reimbursement formula is harming the most vulnerable and challenged school districts and communities.

The Governor’s fiscal 2016 budget would level fund charter school reimbursements at $76.9 million, even though local payments to charter schools are expected to increase by $55 million.  Full funding of the statutory formula would require $130.5 million.  Without these funds, cities and towns will face another major shortfall next year, and result in cutbacks for the vast majority of students who remain in the traditional public school setting.  The HW&M budget includes the Governor’s recommendation for this account.

• Please ask your Representatives to Support Amendment 822 filed by Rep. Ultrino and others, and Amendment 795 filed by Rep. Malia and others.  These critical amendments would fully fund charter school reimbursements due to cities, towns and regional school districts by providing the full $130.5 million necessary to meet the state’s obligation.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Student Transportation Costs
In fiscal 2013, the state budget provided $11.3 million to fully fund the state-mandated costs that resulted from the Commonwealth’s adoption of the federal McKinney-Vento Act. The State Auditor ruled that the McKinney-Vento program was an unfunded mandate on cities and towns, and the Legislature provided full funding soon after that ruling.  Under the program, communities are providing very costly transportation services to bus homeless students to schools outside of the local school district.  However, the fiscal 2014 state budget reduced McKinney-Vento reimbursements to $7.4 million, underfunding this state mandate.  Full funding for this year is estimated at $19.8 million, but the Commonwealth level-funded the program at $7.35 million, creating a shortfall of $12.5 million in the current fiscal year.

The Governor proposed a $1 million increase for fiscal 2016 to bring funding for McKinney-Vento reimbursements up to $8.4 million, which is the amount provided in H. 3400.  Full funding for this state mandate would require $20.8 million, according to the most recent DESE projection.

• Please ask your Representatives to Support Amendment 620 filed by Rep. Heroux and others that would fully fund reimbursements due to municipalities and school districts for the cost of transporting homeless students from temporary shelters to school.

Regional School District Student Transportation Reimbursements
Funding for transportation reimbursements to regional school districts is vital to all regional districts and their member cities and towns, particularly in sparsely populated parts of the state.  The Legislature appropriated $70.3 million for fiscal 2015, but, unfortunately, Governor Patrick used his 9C powers to cut the amount in November by 27 percent, an unexpected $18.7 million loss, returning the program to fiscal 2014 levels just months after coming closer to full funding. Decades ago, the state promised 100 percent reimbursement as an incentive for towns and cities to regionalize, and the consistent underfunding of this account has presented serious budget challenges for these districts, taking valuable dollars from the classroom.  Governor Baker’s budget proposal would level-fund regional school transportation reimbursements at $51.5 million, dropping the reimbursement percentage down to 64 percent.  The House Ways and Means Committee would restore $5 million to this key program in fiscal 2016, and bring funding up to $56.5 million, a positive and helpful increase, yet still below the funding needed.

• Please ask your Representatives to Support Amendment 744 filed by Rep. Benson and others that would increase transportation reimbursements to regional school districts by an additional $4 million to bring fiscal 2016 funding to $60.5 million.

Out-of-District Vocational Education Student Transportation
The fiscal 2015 state budget included $2.25 million item to reimburse communities for a portion of the $3.8 million cost of transporting students to out-of-district placements in vocational schools, as mandated by state law.  This account recognizes the significant expense of providing transportation services for out-of-district placements, as these students must travel long distances to participate in vocational programs that are not offered locally. Governor Patrick slashed all funding with his November 9C cuts, a painful mid-year loss.  The Governor’s fiscal 2016 recommendation and the HW&M budget do not include any funding.

• Please ask your Representatives to Support Amendment 151 filed by Rep. Durant and others to fully fund the $3.9 million cost of transporting students to out-of-district placements in vocational schools.

Kindergarten Expansion Grants
Cities, towns and regional school districts across the Commonwealth use this important grant program to support full-day access to local kindergarten programs.  Funding for the program in the fiscal 2015 general appropriations act was $23.9 million before being reduced through two rounds of 9C cuts to $18.6 million.  The Governor’s budget recommendation would eliminate all funding in fiscal 2016, an extremely disruptive step that would force participating communities to immediately decide whether to end or scale back their current kindergarten programs or cut other school and classroom services.  The MMA applauds the recommendation in H. 3400 to restore funding for Kindergarten Development Grants to the fiscal 2015 post 9C level of $18.6 million, and is asking House members to restore the program to the original $23.9 million level.

• Please ask your Representatives to Support Amendment 502 filed by Rep. DiNatale and others to level fund this accounts at the original fiscal 2015 appropriation.

KEY BUDGET AMENDMENTS ON MUNICIPAL AID PROGRAMS AND
MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT POLICY

Please ask your Representatives to Oppose Amendment 601, Which Would Circumvent and Weaken Municipal Personnel Law by Allowing Tobacco Users to Qualify for the Public Safety Heart-Lung and Cancer Presumptions

Because of special provisions in state law that established a work-related presumption for heart and lung disease for public safety personnel, state law mandates a no smoking rule for public safety employees.  Under Chapter 32 of the General Laws, any police officer or firefighter with heart disease and any firefighter with lung disease or lung cancer is automatically eligible for a disability pension, but the enactment of these presumptions included an absolute ban on the use of tobacco products because smoking and tobacco use is the primary and overwhelming cause of heart and lung disease and cancer. Under Section 101A of Chapter 41, employees who violate this strict prohibition are subject to dismissal.  This has been the law since 1988.

But Amendment 601 would reverse 27 years of standing law and personnel policy, and instead mandate that a smoking cessation program be offered to those who violate the policy while keeping the presumption in place for these employees, in spite of their use of tobacco products.  All public safety personnel are aware of the no smoking rule, and violations must be addressed fully because the special treatment and protections that are in place were granted only on the condition that these employees refrain from tobacco use.  Amendment 601 would remove a very important taxpayer protection, and should be rejected.

• Please ask your Representatives to Oppose Amendment 601, which would significantly weaken the smoking prohibition for public safety employees.

Payments-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT)
The Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) program is a particularly important program for the cities and towns that host and provide municipal services to state facilities that are exempt from the local property tax.  This account is underfunded at $26.77 million this year, and is still below fiscal 2008 funding.  Many of our state’s smallest communities rely heavily on PILOT payments, and shortfalls in this account have a significant impact on their ability to deliver basic municipal services.  House One and H. 3400 would level fund PILOT at $26.77 million.

• Please ask your Representatives to Support Amendment 961 filed by Rep. D’Emilia to add $3.5 million to increase PILOT payments to cities and towns, and bring the account up to $30.3 million.

Shannon Anti-Gang Grants
• The Shannon Grant program has been very effective in enabling cities and towns to respond to and suppress gang-related activities.  Please ask your Representatives to Support Amendment 945 filed by Rep. Brady and others to increase funding for the Shannon anti-gang grant program.  This amendment would add $3.25 million and bring total funding up to $8.25 million, which is the original fiscal 2015 appropriation.

Safe and Successful Youth Initiative
• Please ask your Representatives to Support Amendment 907, filed by Rep. Vega and others to increase funding of the Safe and Supportive Youth Initiative from $6 million to $9.5 million. The program seeks to reduce youth violence through wrap-around services for those most likely to be victims or perpetrators, and is vital to violence prevention efforts in dozens of communities.

Summer Jobs for At-Risk Youth
• Please ask your Representatives to Support Amendment 572 filed by Rep. Scibak and others to increase funding for youth summer jobs from $9 million to $12 million. This funding is critical to providing employment opportunities for at-risk teenagers in our cities and towns, especially with youth unemployment rates climbing.

Protection of Municipal Emergency Medical Services
• Please ask your Representatives to Support Amendment 1040 filed by Rep. Cantwell of Marshfield and others that would prevent the practice of “pay the patient,” by insurance companies, which undermines the ability of cities and towns to fund and operate responsive and efficient ambulance services that are at the core of emergency medical services in Massachusetts. “Pay the patient” would force communities to pursue their own residents to recoup thousands of dollars in ambulance expenses, a system that is inefficient and subject to abuse.  Amendment 1040 would also clarify that municipalities are authorized to set a fair rate for ambulance services. Cities and towns set fees and charges for a wide variety of municipal services very strictly limited by state law to the cost of providing the service. This is the same rule that would apply to rate setting for emergency ambulance services. It would ensure that rates are reasonable and prevent insurance companies from shifting costs to local property taxpayers through below-cost reimbursements.

KEY BUDGET AMENDMENTS ON CAPITAL SPENDING PRIORITIES

Brownfields Redevelopment Funds
• Please ask your Representatives to Support Amendment 753 filed by Rep. Walsh and others to increase available funding for brownfield redevelopment projects.  This funding is critical to the successful redevelopment of former industrial sites and will enhance local economic development efforts across the state, and improve the environment.  This amendment would appropriate $15 million to recapitalize the Brownfield Redevelopment Fund.

Community Preservation Act Funding
During fiscal 2015, 156 cities and towns collected the local Community Preservation Act (CPA) surcharge and are eligible for state matching grants in fiscal 2016.  The Division of Local Services (DLS) estimates that the balance in the state trust fund will be sufficient to provide a first round match of only 18 percent of the surcharge levied by each city and town.  This would be the lowest state match in the program’s history.

• Please ask your Representatives to Support Amendment 881 filed by Rep. Kocot and others that would dedicate a portion of any fiscal 2015 year-end state budget surplus, up to $25 million, to supplement the fiscal 2016 state match.  The fiscal 2014 state match was supplemented by $25 million from the fiscal 2013 year-end surplus, and $11.4 million was made available last year from the fiscal 2014 surplus.

Please Call Your Representatives Today on the Budget Amendments that Impact Your Community!

 Thank You!

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Posted in Budgets, Legislature, State

MMA on House budget

Posted on April 16, 2015 | Comments Off on MMA on House budget

The annual state budget process starts with the Governor’s proposed budget, followed next by the House version, then next by the Senate version, and the final result from the House/Senate committee set up to resolve the two versions.  This year we are now up to the House version, and below is the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s comments on that House version.

To put state aid to towns in its recent context, while the state revenues have now recovered to be above the levels existing before the Great Recession, the state’s revenue sharing aid to municipalities still lags far behind the pre-2007 levels.  The general result of that lower state aid is that the state has effectively transferred to cities and towns the cost of providing the required municipal services.  Towns must then either opt to provide less service, or tax our residents more via property taxes to get the same level of service as before the Great Recession.

If residents do not like their property taxes rising, they should have a discussion with their state legislators to ask for a return to pre-2007 state aid levels.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEE OFFERS $38B FY 2016 STATE BUDGET THAT MAKES KEY INVESTMENTS IN MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL AID
• INCLUDES THE FULL $34M INCREASE IN UNRESTRICTED MUNICIPAL AID (UGGA)
• ADDS $8.3M TO SPECIAL EDUCATION CIRCUIT BREAKER
• RESTORES $5M TO REGIONAL SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION
• RESTORES $18.6 MILLION TO KINDERGARTEN DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
• INCREASES CHAPTER 70 MINIMUM AID TO $25 PER STUDENT
• LEVEL-FUNDS MOST OTHER MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL ACCOUNTS

Earlier this afternoon, the House Ways and Means Committee reported out a lean $38 billion fiscal 2016 state budget plan to increase overall state expenditures by 2.8 percent, as the state seeks to close a projected $1.8 billion structural budget deficit by restraining spending and eliminating 4,500 state jobs through an early retirement program. The House Ways and Means budget is $100 million smaller than the budget filed by Governor Baker in March.  The full House will debate the fiscal 2016 state budget during the week of April 27.

H. 3400, the House Ways and Means budget, provides strong progress on many important local aid priorities, including the full $34 million increase in Unrestricted General Government Aid that the Governor proposed and communities are counting on. The House W&M Committee would increase funding for several major aid programs, by adding $8.3 million to the Special Education Circuit Breaker, restoring $18.6 million to Kindergarten Development Grants, restoring $5 million to Regional School Transportation, and increasing Chapter 70 minimum aid from $20 to $25 per student.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE UNRESTRICTED GENERAL GOVERNMENT AID AND CHAPTER 70 AID AMOUNTS FOR YOUR COMMUNITY AS PROPOSED IN THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE BUDGET

$34 MILLION INCREASE IN UNRESTRICTED MUNICIPAL AID
In a major victory for cities and towns, H. 3400 (the HW&M fiscal 2016 budget plan) would provide $979.8 million for UGGA, a $34 million increase over current funding – the same increase proposed by Governor Baker.  The $34 million would increase UGGA funding by 3.6 percent, which is 75 percent of the projected 4.8 percent increase in state tax collections next year.  This would be the largest increase in discretionary municipal aid in nearly a decade.  Every city and town would see their UGGA funding increase by 3.6 percent.

$8.3 MILLION INCREASE INTENDED TO FULLY FUND SPECIAL EDUCATION CIRCUIT BREAKER
In another victory for cities and towns, House leaders have announced that they support full funding for the Special Education Circuit Breaker program.  Their budget plan would provide $261.7 million, an $8.3 million increase above fiscal 2015, with the intention of fully funding the account.  This is a vital program that every city, town and school district relies on to fund state-mandated services.

RESTORES $5 MILLION TO REGIONAL SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION
Last November, former Gov. Patrick used his 9C budget powers to eliminate the $18.7 million increase regional school transportation reimbursements that the Legislature originally enacted for fiscal 2015, reducing the final amount to $51.5 million.  The Governor proposed level funding at $51.5 million.  Recognizing the importance of this funding, the House Ways and Means Committee budget would restore $5 million to bring regional transportation reimbursements up to $56.5 million.  The MMA will work to continue building on this welcome increase.

RESTORES $18.6 MILLION TO KINDERGARTEN DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
The House Ways & Means budget would restore $18.6 million to the Kindergarten Development Grant program.  The Governor’s budget would have eliminated all funding, and House leaders want to level fund the current appropriation, at least for the next year.  This is an important account, because eliminating the $18.6 million would have jeopardized expanded kindergarten programs all throughout the state.

CHAPTER 70 MINIMUM AID WOULD INCREASE TO $25 PER STUDENT
The House budget committee is proposing a $108.2 million increase in Chapter 70 education aid, with a provision providing every city, town and school district an increase of at least $25 per student.  This is $2.9 million more than the recommendation in the Governor’s budget submission.  The budget would continue to implement the target share provisions enacted in 2007.  Because most cities and towns only receive minimum aid (245 operating districts in cities, towns and regions would only receive minimum aid), the MMA will work to build on this progress and will continue to advocate for higher funding.

McKINNEY-VENTO REIMBURSEMENTS WOULD INCREASE BY $1 MILLION
The House Ways and Means Committee budget would add $1 million to increase reimbursements for the transportation of homeless students to $8.4 million, the same funding level proposed in the Governor’s budget.  While the account remains below the full reimbursement called for under the state’s unfunded mandate law, it would be the first increase since fiscal 2013.

CHARTER SCHOOL REIMBURSEMENTS UNDERFUNDED
Under state law, cities and towns that host or send students to charter schools are entitled to be reimbursed for a portion of their lost Chapter 70 aid.  The state fully funded the reimbursement program in fiscal 2013 and 2014, but is underfunding reimbursements by approximately $34 million this year.  Both the Governor and the House Ways and Means budgets would level-fund charter school reimbursements at $76.8 million, which would guarantee another major shortfall in fiscal 2016, and result in cutbacks for the majority of students who remain in the traditional school setting.  Increasing this account will be a top priority during the budget debate.

PAYMENTS-IN-LIEU-OF-TAXES (PILOT), LIBRARY AID ACCOUNTS, METCO, AND SHANNON ANTI-GANG GRANTS
The House budget committee’s proposal would level fund PILOT payments at $26.77 million, continue to fund library grant programs at $18.5 million, and restore funding for METCO to $19.1 million.  All three of these accounts are funded the same in both the Governor and House Ways and Means budgets.  However, the HW&M budget would reduce Shannon Anti-Gang Grants to $5 million, a $2 million reduction.

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Posted in Budgets, Legislature, State

The Reps are coming!

Posted on February 25, 2015 | Comments Off on The Reps are coming!

The selectmen try to have regular visits/reports/consultations with our representatives in the legislature, but those visits seem to have become increasingly difficult to schedule.  They are no longer occurring on the quarterly basis as in the past.  Several recent scheduled dates had to be cancelled.

Evelyn emailed the selectmen this morning that they have next been scheduled to attend our March 24 meeting.  This was the email from Evelyn –

 

Good morning,

 

I received confirmation this morning that Senator Timilty and Representatives Garlick and Dooley will attend the Selectmen’s March 24 meeting.

 

Let’s keep our fingers crossed!!

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Posted in Legislature, Select Board matters

Sen & Reps to BoS on 1/27

Posted on January 9, 2015 | Comments Off on Sen & Reps to BoS on 1/27

Email this afternoon from Evelyn Clarke stating that “Representative Garlick’s office confirmed the meeting date for the Reps and Senator to attend your meeting is Tuesday Jan. 27.”

The selectmen seek to get regular updates from the Senator and Representatives, but scheduling seems to make it hard to get done more than twice a year.  I would like to be doing it at least quarterly.

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Posted in Legislature, Select Board matters

Medfield gets the rest of its road $

Posted on January 8, 2015 | Comments Off on Medfield gets the rest of its road $

Governor Patrick failed to release $100m. of appropriated road repair monies this fiscal year, as he did last fiscal year also, because the legislature failed to appropriate as much as he wanted for the transportation budget.  Governor Baker released those monies on his first day in office.

 

GOV. BAKER WILL RELEASE $100 MIL IN LOCAL ROAD FUNDS

By Matt Murphy
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE

STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, JAN. 8, 2014…..Gov. Charlie Baker will make good on a campaign promise Thursday afternoon by making his first official action as governor to release $100 million for local road and bridge repairs.

The funding, which had been authorized by the Legislature but withheld by former Gov. Deval Patrick, will be dispersed to cities and towns to pay for local infrastructure projects.

Patrick released $200 million for Chapter 90 last year, but held back the additional funding because he said the borrowing capacity was needed for other transportation priorities.

Lawmakers were highly critical of Patrick’s decision not to release the funding, and Baker during the campaign pledged to release the funding as soon as he took office.

During his inaugural address, Baker on Thursday said he hoped to address a “spending problem” in state government to address a midyear budget gap that he estimated at more than $500 million.

Baker, who supported a November ballot law that unhinged the gas tax from an inflation index, said during his address that he would hold the line on taxes but that everything else was on the table in the upcoming budget-balancing exercise.

The governor must file a fiscal 2016 spending plan by March 4, though a proposal to address the midyear gap could be rolled out before that date.

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Posted in Budgets, Legislature, State, Transportation

MMA on needed steps

Posted on September 11, 2014 | Comments Off on MMA on needed steps

The Massachusetts Municipal Association‘s alert today tries to focus candidates for office on the broken elements in the state and municipality relationship.  Having watched and lived the problems for fourteen years now as a selectman, I agree that all of the ten issues are deserving of repair.

September 11, 2014

MMA ISSUES 10 PARTNERSHIP POLICIES TO BUILD A STRONGER COMMONWEALTH

MMA Urges All Candidates for Governor and the Legislature to Support These Important Policies to Ensure a Powerful and Productive State-Local Partnership

Please Encourage All Candidates Seeking Office to Embrace These 10 Partnership Policies to Invest In and Support Local Government

Local leaders across Massachusetts are committed to working very closely with the Commonwealth’s next Governor and all incoming legislators to deepen and strengthen the partnership between cities and towns and state government, because a powerful state-local partnership is absolutely essential in order for Massachusetts to achieve lasting social and economic progress and prosperity for our communities and residents.

On behalf of the cities and towns of Massachusetts, the MMA has issued 10 Partnership Policies to Build a Stronger Commonwealth, and is asking all of the candidates for Governor and the Legislature to publicly embrace this powerful agenda. These policies cover a wide range of vital issues, reflecting the extraordinary breadth of shared responsibilities that are held by state and local leaders.

The MMA’s 10 Partnership Policies are explained in a special 12-page publication that was posted on the MMA website and mailed to local officials, legislators and the candidates for Governor earlier today. You can download a copy of the MMA’s 10 Partnership Policies to Build a Stronger Commonwealth by clicking here.

Taken together, these 10 Partnership Policies will rebuild a strong and lasting state-local financial relationship, invest in communities for economic development and progress, ensure effective and sustainable government administration, and create a working state-local partnership for the future.

THE 10 PARTNERSHIP POLICIES TO BUILD A STRONGER COMMONWEALTH ARE:

1 – RESTORE REVENUE SHARING. We must build a new and enduring state-local fiscal partnership that shares future state tax revenue growth with cities and towns in order to fund local government services and reduce our overreliance on the property tax.

2 – FIX THE SCHOOL FINANCE LAW. We must update and modernize the Chapter 70 school finance law to ensure that all students have access to high-quality and adequately funded public education programs, and state and local governments share fairly in the cost.

3 – FUND KEY PROGRAMS AND OBLIGATIONS. The state must meet its commitments and obligations to fund essential aid accounts for targeted municipal and school programs, including full funding of all state mandates.

4 – SUPPORT FAIRNESS IN LOCAL TAXATION. We should reform and improve the cumbersome state-local system of property exemptions, abatements and tax relief to ensure that needy taxpayers are protected from an excessive property tax burden, and to provide that local property tax exemptions are only granted where truly warranted.

5 – OPPOSE UNFUNDED MANDATES. State government must fully fund all mandated programs, laws and regulations, and must commit to a process that reviews and identifies the cost of all proposed mandates and regulatory changes prior to their enactment.

6 – INVEST IN ESSENTIAL PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE. State government needs to increase its investment in the “bricks and mortar” underpinnings of our public infrastructure at the local and state level to ensure that we can sustain and expand a modern economy and vibrant communities.

7 – INVEST IN ESSENTIAL PUBLIC TECHNOLOGY. State government needs to invest in public technology at the local and state level to ensure that Massachusetts will be competitive in the modern global economy.

8 – EMPOWER CITIZEN-DRIVEN PLANNING AND ZONING. State government should carefully update the state’s Zoning Act and related laws to provide cities and towns with new authority and flexibility to guide residential and business land use decisions toward local and state goals.

9 – ALLOW CITIES AND TOWNS TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE. State government should recognize that the archaic personnel management and benefit system in Massachusetts imposes burdens on municipal budgets, makes it difficult to attract and retain qualified employees, and is in need of “stem to stern” modernization.

10 – COMMIT TO CONSTANT COMMUNICATION AND DIRECT DIALOGUE. Municipal leaders ask the Governor and Lt. Governor to both attend and actively participate in the Local Government Advisory Commission.

A strong and enduring partnership between cities and towns and state government is essential to a healthy and expanding economy and to the ability of local government to provide world-class education and municipal services, ensure safe streets and neighborhoods, and maintain local roads and vital infrastructure. This partnership is fundamental to our state’s economic success and competitiveness, which is why the MMA is offering these 10 Partnership Policies.

By Working Together, Local and State Leaders Can Build a Strong and Prosperous Future for Massachusetts

Please Encourage All Candidates and Community Residents to Embrace These 10 Partnership Policies to Invest In and Support Local Government

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Posted in Legislature, Massachusetts Municipal Association

MSH purchase bill & MPC status

Posted on August 14, 2014 | Comments Off on MSH purchase bill & MPC status

Bill Massaro provided to me a link to a clearer version of the legislation that authorizes the town to buy the former MSH site.  The link is above the actual legislation is below.

The MSH Master Planning Committee has had one meeting so far in what is to be its 10 month task to get the town to a planned redevelopment of the site.  Their first task is to put out an RFP for the consultant who will do the heavy lifting and work to get all the planning done on that accelerated basis.

The MSH MPC will meet the second that fourth Tuesdays of the month, starting 9/9/2014, when they will hear from Beth Murphy from Mass Development about how Northampton State Hospital was redeveloped.  At their 9/23 meeting they will hear from Foxboro planners about the Foxboro State Hospital project.

Acts

2014

Chapter 211 AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSIONER OF CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE TO CONVEY CERTAIN PARCELS OF LAND IN THE TOWN OF MEDFIELD

     Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to provide forthwith for the conveyance of land in the town of Medfield, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.

     Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows:
     SECTION 1.  Notwithstanding sections 32 to 37, inclusive, of chapter 7C of the General Laws, chapter 269 of the acts of 2008 or any other general or special law to the contrary, the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance may convey certain parcels of land located at the former Medfield State Hospital to the town of Medfield.  The parcels are shown as parcel A and parcel B on a plan entitled “Compiled Plan of Land, Medfield State Hospital, Medfield, Massachusetts, prepared for Division of Capital Asset Management”, dated June 14, 2005, prepared by Judith Nitsch Engineering, Inc., on file with the division of capital asset management and maintenance. The exact location and boundaries of the parcels to be conveyed shall be determined by the commissioner, in consultation with the town of Medfield.  The use of the parcels to be conveyed to the town shall not be restricted to use for municipal or other specific purposes; provided, however, that the town may so restrict the parcels at a later date, in accordance with any applicable general and special laws.  The parcels shall be conveyed by deed without warranties or representations by the commonwealth.
SECTION 2.  As consideration for the conveyance of the parcels described in section 1, the town of Medfield shall pay the commonwealth an amount equal to certain costs related to the closure of the former state hospital in Medfield including, but not limited to, the costs of removing combustible materials, disconnecting certain utilities and otherwise closing those buildings located on the parcels conveyed, routine security and other capital expenditures and operating expenses incurred by the commonwealth in preparation for or following the closure of the former state hospital, as determined by the commissioner and agreed to by the town.  The town of Medfield may pay the amount so determined by the commissioner and agreed to by the town upon its purchase of the parcels described in section 1 or the town may pay the amount so determined in 10 annual payments pursuant to section 20A of chapter 58 of the General Laws. If the town’s payment of consideration pursuant to this section so requires, the town may seek voter approval pursuant to subsection (k) of section 21C of chapter 59 of the General Laws.
SECTION 3.  In the event that the town of Medfield sells or leases any portion of the parcels described in section 1, the net proceeds from such sale or lease as determined by the town and agreed to by the commissioner, shall be allocated between the town of Medfield and the commonwealth in equal shares; provided, however, that the commissioner may agree to reduce the share of the commonwealth’s proceeds to not less than 30 per cent of net proceeds in order to provide certain incentives to the town of Medfield to sell or lease any of the parcels described in section 1 expeditiously or to facilitate the development of some or all of the parcels in accordance with smart growth principles promulgated from time to time by the governor and the secretary of energy and environmental affairs.  In the event that the net proceeds, as so determined, is a negative amount, the commonwealth shall not be required to make any payments to the town of Medfield.
SECTION 4.  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the town of Medfield shall pay for all costs and expenses of the transactions authorized in this act as determined by the commissioner including, but not limited to, the costs of any recording fees and deed preparation related to the conveyances and for all costs, liabilities and expenses of any nature and kind related to the town’s ownership of the parcels; provided, however, that such costs shall be included for the purposes of determining the net proceeds of the town’s sale or lease of any portion of the parcels described in section 1.  Amounts paid by the town of Medfield pursuant to section 2 shall not be included for the purposes of determining the net proceeds from a sale or lease.
SECTION 5.  Notwithstanding chapter 269 of the acts of 2008 or any other general or special law to the contrary, parcels A-1 and A-2, as shown on the plan referenced in section 1 shall be maintained as open space or used for agricultural and passive recreation purposes, subject to those subsurface utility easements on parcel A-1 serving the town’s water system.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to such subsurface utility easements, the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance may transfer the care and custody of parcels A-1, A-2 and C, or portions thereof, to the department of conservation and recreation for open space and passive recreation purposes.  Such transfer shall be without consideration and shall not be subject to chapter 7C of the General Laws.
SECTION 6.  (a) In the event that the town of Medfield does not complete its purchase of the property described in section 1 on or before December 31, 2015, then notwithstanding sections 33 to 38, inclusive, of chapter 7C of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the commissioner may sell, lease for terms of up to 99 years, including all renewals and extensions, or otherwise grant, convey or transfer to purchasers or lessees an interest in the property described in section 1 or portions thereof, subject to this section and on such terms and conditions that the commissioner considers appropriate; provided, however, that the purchase by the town of Medfield shall be considered complete upon the transfer of title to the parcels described in section 1 to the town. The commissioner shall dispose of the property, or portion thereof, using appropriate competitive bidding processes and procedures. At least 30 days before the date on which bids, proposals or other offers to purchase or lease a property, or any portion thereof, are due, the commissioner shall place a notice in the central register published by the state secretary pursuant to section 20A of chapter 9 of the General Laws stating the availability of the property, the nature of the competitive bidding process and other information that the commissioner considers relevant, including the time, place and manner for the submission of bids and proposals and the opening of the bids or proposals.
(b)  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the grantee or lessee of all or any portion of the property described in section 1 and subject to this section shall be responsible for costs and expenses including, but not limited to, costs associated with deed preparation and recording fees related to the conveyances and transfers authorized in this section as such costs may be determined by the commissioner.
(c)  No agreement for the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of the property described in section 1 and subject to this section, or any portion thereof, and no deed executed by or on behalf of the commonwealth, shall be valid unless the agreement or deed contains the following certification, signed by the commissioner:
“I, the undersigned commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance, hereby certify under penalties of perjury that I have fully complied with the relevant provisions of general and special laws in connection with the property described in this document.”
SECTION 7.  In any disposition pursuant to section 1 or section 6, the commissioner may retain, accept or acquire by purchase, transfer, lease, eminent domain pursuant to chapter 79 of the General Laws or otherwise and may grant by deed, transfer, lease or otherwise any rights-of-way or easements in, over or beneath any parcel or any portion thereof or any other portions of the former Medfield State Hospital, as the commissioner deems necessary and appropriate for the continued access to, egress from and use of portions of the former Medfield State Hospital including, without limitation, parcels A-1 and A-2, by the general public or other state agencies or to carry out this act; provided however that in any disposition pursuant to section 1, such retention, acceptance, acquisition, or grant of any rights-of-way or easements in, over or beneath parcels A or B shall be subject to the approval of the town of Medfield.
SECTION 8.  Sections 1 to 4, inclusive, shall take effect in the town of Medfield upon their acceptance by a majority vote of the board of selectmen of the town of Medfield but not otherwise.

Approved, August 1, 2014.

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Posted in Development, Legislature, Medfield State Hospital, Planning

MSH actual bll attached

Posted on August 4, 2014 | Comments Off on MSH actual bll attached

Here is the actual legislation, as provided by the state to the town clerk –

\/
H 4216
Chapter      – 211

TH E  C 0 M M 0 N W E A L T H  0  F     M A S S A C H U S E T T S

In  the Year Two  Thousand  and Fourteen

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSIONER OF CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE TO CONVEY CERTAIN
PARCELS OF LAND IN THE TOWN OF MEDFIELD.

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to provide
forthwith for the conveyance of land in the town of Medfield, therefore it is hereby declared to be
an emergency law, necessary
for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
1

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled , and by the
authorit y of   the same, as f ollows:
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding sections 32 to 37, inclusive, of chapter 7C of the General Laws, chapter
269 of the acts of 2008 or any other general or special law to the contrary, the commissioner of
capital asset management and maintenance may convey certain parcels of land located at the former
Medfield State Hospital to the town of Medfield. The parcels are shown as parcel A and parcel B on
a plan entitled “Compiled Plan of Land, Medfield State Hospital, Medfield, Massachusetts, prepared
for Division of Capital Asset Management”, dated June 14, 2005, prepared by Judith Nitsch
Engineering, Inc., on file with the division of capital asset management and maintenance. The exact
location and boundaries of the parcels to be conveyed shall be determined by the commissioner, in
consultation with the town of Medfield. The use of the parcels to be conveyed to the town shall not
be restricted to use for municipal or other specific purposes; provided, however, that the town may
so restrict the parcels at a later date, in accordance with any applicable general and special
laws, The parcels shall be conveyed by deed without warranties or representations by the
commonwealth.
SECTION 2. As consideration for the conveyance of the parcels described in section 1, the town of
Medfield shall pay the commonwealth an amount equal to certain costs related to the closure of the
former state hospital in Medfield including, but not limited to, the costs of removing combustible
materials, disconnecting  certain utilities and otherwise closing those buildings located on the
parcels conveyed, routine security and other capital expenditures and operating expenses incurred
by the commonwealth in preparation for or following the closure of the former state hospital, as
determined by the commissioner and agreed to by the town. The town of Medfield may pay the amount
so determined by the commissioner and ageed to by the town upon its purchase of the parcels
described in section 1 or the town may pay the amount so determined in 10 annual payments pursuant
to section 20A of chapter 58 of the General Laws. If the town’s payment·of consideration

H 4216

pursuant to this section so requires, the town may seek voter approval pursuant to subsection (k)
of section 21C of chapter 59 of the General Laws.
SECTION 3. In the event that the town of Medfield sells or leases any portion of the parcels
described in section 1, the net proceeds from such sale or lease as determined by the town and
agreed to by the commissioner, shall be allocated between the town of Medfield and the commonwealth
in equal shares; provided, however, that the commissioner may agree to reduce the share of the
commonwealth ‘s proceeds to not less than 30 per cent of net proceeds in order to provide certain
incentives to the town of Medfield to sell or lease any of the parcels described in section 1
expeditiously or to facilitate the development of some or all of the parcels in accordance with
smart growth principles promulgated from time to time by the governor and the secretary of energy
and environmental affairs. In the event that the net proceeds, as so determined, is a negative
amo1lllt, the commonwealth shall not be required to make any payments to the town of Medfield.
SECTION 4 . Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the town of Medfield shall
pay for all costs and expenses of the transactions authorized in this act as determined by the
commissioner including, but not limited to, the costs of any recording fees and deed preparation
related to the conveyances and for all costs, liabilities and expenses of any nature and kind
related to the town’s ownership of the parcels; provided, however, that such costs shall be
included for the purposes of determining the net proceeds of the town’s sale or lease of any
portion of the parcels described in section
1. Amounts paid by the town of Medfield pursuant to section 2 shall not be included for the
purposes of determining the net proceeds from a sale or lease.
SECTION 5. Notwithstanding chapter 269 of the acts of 2008 or any other

general or special law to the contrary, parcels A-1 and A-2, as shown on the plan referenced in
section 1 shall be maintained as open space or used for
agricultural and passive recreation purposes,
subject to those subsurface utility  easements  on parcel
A-1
serving the  town’s  water  system.  Notwithstanding
the foregoing, but subject to  such subsurface
utility easements, the
commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance may
transfer the care and custody of parcels A-1, A-2 and C, or portions thereof, to the department of
conservation and recreation for open space and passive recreation purposes. Such transfer shall be
without consideration and shall not be subject to chapter 7C of the General Laws.
SECTION 6. (a) In the event that the town of Medfield does not complete its purchase of the
property described in section 1 on or before December 31, 2015, then notwithstanding sections 33 to
38, inclusive, of chapter 7C of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the
contrary, the commissioner may sell, lease for terms of up to 99 years, including all renewals and
extensions, or oterwise grant, convey or transfer to purchasers

2

H  4216

or lessees  an interest in the property described  in  section  1 or  portions thereof , subject to
this section and on such terms and conditions that the commissioner considers  appropriate;
provided,  however,  that  the  purchase  by the town of  Medf ield  shall be  considered  complete
upon  the  transf er  of  title to the parcels described in section 1 to the town . The
commissioner  shall dispose of the property,  or  portion  thereof ,  using  appropriate
competitive bidding processes and procedures . At least 30 days bef ore the date on which bids ,
proposals or  other  of f ers  to  purchase  or  lease  a  property,  or  any portion thereof , are
due, the commissioner sµall place a notice in the central register published by the state secretary
pursuant to sect ion 2 0A  of  chapter  9 of  the  General  Laws  stat ing  the  availability of
the  property 1    the  nature  of
the  competitive  bidding  process  and  other  inf ormation  that  the  commissioner

considers relevant , including the time, place  and  manner  f or  the  submission  of bids  and
proposals  and  the  opening  of  the  bids  or proposals .
( b)      Notwithstanding   any  general   or   special   law  to  the   contrary,   the grantee
or  lessee of  all or  any portion  of  the  property  described  in  sect ion  1 and   subject
to   this   section   shall  be   responsible   f or   costs   and   expenses including,   but
not   limited   to,   costs   associated  with   deed  preparation   and recording   f ees  related
to  the  conveyances   and  transf ers  authorized   in  this sect ion as such costs may  be
determined by the commissioner .
( c)     No   agreement   f or  the  sale,  lease,  transf er  or  other  disposition  of the
property   described   in   section   1  and   subject   to   this   section,   or   any
portion  thereof , shall    be    valid
and  no  deed  executed  by  or unless    the    agreement    or
on  behalf   of  the  commonwealth, deed     contains     the     following rt if ication,  signed by  the  commissioner : “I,   the   undersigned    commissioner   of
maintenance,   hereby   cert if y  under   penalties complied   with   the   relevant   provisions    of
capital   asset   management   and of perj ury that I have f ully general    and    special    laws
in
connection  with the property  described in this document . 11

SECTION 7 , In any disposition pursuant to section 1 or section 6 , the commissioner  may  retain,
accept  or  acquire  by  purchase,  transf er,  lease, eminent domain pursuant to chapter 79 of the
General Laws or otherwise and may grant by deed, transf er , lease or  otherwise  any rights-of
-way or  easements  in, over  or  beneath  any parcel  or  any portion  thereof   or  any  other
portions  of  the f ormer Medf ield State Hospital , as the commissioner deems necessary and
appropriate f or the  cont inued  access  to,  egress  f rom  and  use  of  portions  of the f
ormer Medf ield  State  Hospital  including,  without  limitation,  parcels  A-1 and A- 2 , by the
general  public  or  other  state  agencies  or  to  carry  out  this act ; provided  however that
in any disposition pursuant to section 1, such retention, acceptance, acquisition, or  grant  of
any  rights-of -way  or  easements in, over or beneath parcels  A  or  B  shall  be  subject  to
the  approval  of  the town of Medf ield .

3

H 4216
SECTION 8. Sections 1 to 4, inclusive, shall take effect in the town of Medfield upon their
acceptance by a majority vote of the board of selectmen of
the town of Medfield but not otherwise.

[see the link below for a PDF to see the signatures and dates of passage in each session]

20140801-MSH legislation-signed

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MSH bill was signed

Posted on August 4, 2014 | Comments Off on MSH bill was signed

Per the email today from Bill Massaro, the legislation authorizing the town’s purchase of the Medfiedl State Hospital site from the state was signed by the Governor on Friday.

Now the town needs to finalize the deal with the state and figure out what the town is going to do with the land.

FYI-
Daily Legislative Update

Weekly Legislative Update

July 28 – August 1, 2014

20. H. 4216, “An Act Authorizing the Commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to Convey Certain Parcels of Land in the Town of Medfield”

Sponsors: Rep. Garlick and Sen. Timilty

Signed: 08/01/2014  now Chapter 211 of the Acts of 2014

 

 

Bill

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Posted in Legislature, Medfield State Hospital