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

Passed

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.

Latest MA H4062 Activity

View All Events: MA 2023-2024 Regular Session H4062

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 H5418

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

MA SR621

Wakefield, Ronald 'Ron' F.; recognize

MA HR1027

Wakefield, Ronald "Ron" F.; outstanding public service with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities; commend

MA H3312

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

MA H4643

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

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 of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with the approval of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Governor, to grant and convey to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, solely for the use of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, a parcel in Lehigh Township, Carbon County, in exchange for a tract partly in Nesquehoning Borough and partly in Lehigh Township, Carbon County, to be conveyed to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, acting by and through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and added to Lehigh Gorge State Park.

MA H3435

Authorizing the commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to grant certain easements to the town of Bourne

MA H5400

Authorizing the city of Boston Department of Parks and Recreation to grant permanent easements over certain land in the city of Woburn and town of Burlington for highway purposes

MA H4364

Authorizing the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance to grant certain easements to the town of Bourne

MA H5440

Authorizing the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to convey certain parcels of land to the town of Bolton, the town of Lancaster or a municipal utility serving the town of Bolton or the town of Lancaster

Similar Bills

GA SR621

Wakefield, Ronald 'Ron' F.; recognize

GA HR1027

Wakefield, Ronald "Ron" F.; outstanding public service with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities; commend

MA H5418

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

MA H3312

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

KS HB2124

Providing cities the authority to allow the driving of golf carts upon sidewalks and permitting local authorities with jurisdiction over city residence districts to reduce the maximum speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour without an engineering and traffic investigation.

TX HB5549

Relating to the regulation and planning of on-site sewage disposal systems; authorizing and increasing an administrative penalty; increasing the amount of a fee.

KS HB2263

Designating a future interchange on K-10 highway as the Kris Norton memorial interchange, a portion of K-5 highway as the Rep Marvin S Robinson memorial highway, a portion of United States highway 160 as the CPL Monte Wayne Forrest memorial highway, a portion of United States highway 77 as the POW MIA memorial highway and bridge No. 82-14-6.88 (026) in Clay county as the POW MIA memorial bridge, and redesignating a current portion of the Harry Darby memorial highway for interstate highway 635.

MA H4643

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