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Municipal Alerts

Statutory Regulations Released for Interagency Review of Complex Cases

On March 1, 2024, EOHHS and DESE released the long-awaited, final adoption of the regulations governing the Interagency Review of Complex Cases (published as 101 CMR 27.00). These regulations had been anticipated since the Massachusetts Legislature passed “An Act Addressing Barriers to Care for Mental Health” in August, 2022.

The purpose of the law is the establishment of a team that will collaborate on complex cases where there is an urgent need to address a lack of consensus between state agencies about the service needs or placement of an individual. This replaces what was known as the Unified Planning Team, or “UPT”.

The co-chairs of the IRT will be the secretary (or a designee) from EOHHS and the commissioner (or a designee) of DESE.

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New Features of Public Participation at School Committee Meetings

Following our Alert from March 16, 2023, Civility is Dead – The Supreme Court Rules Municipal Control of Public Speak Limited to Reasonable Time/Place/Manner Restrictions, which discussed the holding to the Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in Barron v. Kolenda and the Town of Southborough (SJC-13284), we promised to bring you more detailed guidance on developing a Public Speak policy for your public body or municipality. The Barron case involved a constitutional challenge to the Town of Southborough’s public comment policy, which attempted to impose a code of civility on members of the public who participated in public comment before public bodies. In Barron, the court interpreted the state constitution to mean that public bodies may request, but not require, that public commentators be respectful and courteous. Instead, a public body may set restrictions on reasonable time, place, and manner comments to ensure that the meeting retains an orderly and peaceable manner.

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EXTENSION OF MUNICIPAL RELIEF MEASURES – INCLUDING OPEN MEETING LAW REMOTE OPTION – SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR

The option for public bodies in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to hold public meetings remotely or in a hybrid fashion, which came into play at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been extended by the General Court for another two years, until March 31, 2025. The Governor signed the legislation, which will be codified at Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023, on March 29, 2023. Because of the inclusion of an emergency preamble, the law goes into effect immediately.

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CIVILITY IS DEAD – THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT RULES MUNICIPAL CONTROL OF PUBLIC SPEAK LIMITED TO REASONABLE TIME/PLACE/MANNER RESTRICTIONS

On March 7, 2023, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled in the highly anticipated Barron v. Kolenda and the Town of Southborough (SJC-13284) case. The case brought a constitutional challenge to the Town of Southborough’s (“Southborough”) public comment policy (the “policy”), which imposed a code of civility on members of the public who participated in so-called “public speak” before Southborough boards and committees. In its decision, the Court ruled that Southborough’s policy violated Articles 16 and 19 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights.

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MARIJUANA REFORM BILL BECOMES LAW

On August 12, 2022, Governor Charlie Baker signed S. 3096, “An act relative to equity in the cannabis industry,” (“Act”) into law. The Act reforms Massachusetts’s existing marijuana laws, particularly with respect to host community agreements (“HCAs”), community impact fees (“CIFs”), and social consumption sites (e.g. marijuana cafes). The Act empowers the Cannabis Control Commission (“Commission”), the state regulatory agency, to exert greater control over HCAs and their CIFs. Municipalities levy CIFs on cannabis businesses to account for the costs they impose on the municipality as a result of their operations. Additionally, the Act allows municipalities to permit on-premises social consumption of marijuana at designated sites. Other notable provisions of the Act include the new Social Equity Trust Fund (“Trust Fund”), changes to the tax law regarding cannabis businesses, and various provisions concerning those persons and communities most impacted by the prior illegality of marijuana usage and sale. Governor Baker vetoed only one section of the final bill: the provision calling on the state to conduct a study of medical marijuana usage in schools.

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OPEN MEETING LAW TEMPORARY AUTHORIZATION FOR REMOTE PARTICIPATION EXTENDED BY LEGISLATURE – AWAITS GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE

Last night, the House and Senate enacted S. 3007, which extends the authorization for remote participation for all public bodies until March 31, 2023. The legislature enacted the bill with Emergency Authorization, meaning it will go into effect as soon as the Governor signs it. This measure simply extends the prior authorization, which expired at 12:01AM on July 15, 2022, and allows public bodies the ability to choose to continue the now well-established remote meeting protocols, dating back to March 2020.

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AUTHORIZATION FOR REMOTE PARTICIPATION FOR PUBLIC BODIES AND FOR REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETINGS IS EXTENDED THROUGH JULY 14, 2022

On February 12, 2022, the Governor signed Chapter 22 of the Acts of 2022, which extends the authority for remote participation for all public bodies through July 14, 2022. This session law also extends the authority for representative town meetings to meet by remote means, through July 14, 2022. These temporary measures provide public bodies and representative town meetings the ability to choose to continue the now well-established remote meeting protocols, first established back in March of 2020. In response to public demand and interest from cities and towns, the General Court will take the additional time to evaluate long-term action, to decide if remote participation for public bodies and representative town meetings is here to stay. The extended authorization keeps all of the same procedural requirements and safeguards in place from the original authorizations and extensions.

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MASSACHUSETTS AMENDS THE OPEN MEETING LAW TO TEMPORARILY ALLOW A PUBLIC BODY TO HOLD MEETINGS THROUGH REMOTE PARTICIPATION UNTIL APRIL 1, 2022

Today the Governor signed Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021, which authorizes remote participation for all public bodies until April 1, 2022. This temporary measure provides public bodies with the time needed to orderly transition from fully remote meetings to in-person meetings. In response to public demand and interest from cities and towns, the General Court will take this time to determine whether remote participation is here to stay.

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HALFWAY THERE: THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE PASSES TEMPORARY EXTENSION FOR REMOTE PARTICIPATION; WILL THE MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE FOLLOW SUIT?

Thursday afternoon, June 10, 2021, the Senate, acting at warp speed, voted on amendments to S. 2467, the municipal relief legislation which includes provisions continuing the authority for remote meetings for all public bodies. The Senate passed several amendments, and then passed the bill to be engrossed, with an Emergency Preamble, so it could be effective immediately if passed by both chambers and signed by the Governor. The engrossed bill, reprinted as S. 2472, was sent over to the House later on Thursday afternoon.

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Massachusetts Appeals Court Upholds Natick Chief of Police’s Unsuitability Determination for License to Carry Firearms

In a recent decision, Nichols v. Chief of Police of Natick, the Massachusetts Appeals Court (“Court”) ruled in favor of MHTL’s client, concluding that the Superior Court improperly vacated a determination by the Natick Chief of Police that an applicant was unsuitable for a license to carry firearms (“LTC”). David DeLuca, a Partner at MHTL, handled the case in each court. The applicant had an extensive history of prescription drug abuse, fraud, and forgery
resulting in 468 criminal charges in less than three years, though he claimed to be rehabilitated. The Court’s decision reinforces the wide discretion a local licensing authority has in making LTC suitability determinations, and it reinforces the limited proper scope of judicial review of such determinations.

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Important New Legislation Helps Municipalities Address Growing Short-Term Rental Industry

In recent years local officials have grappled with the poliferation of short-term rentals arranged through internet paltforms such as Airbnb, HomeAway, and VRBO. The newly adopted state law, Chapter 337 of the Acts of 2018 (the “Act”, approved by the Governor on December 28, 2018), effects important changes relative to the issue. This alert summarizes some of the Act’s salient provisions.

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The Cannabis Control Commission Speaks

The Cannabis Control Commission Speaks – Regulating The High: Select Provisions of the Draft Regulations for Adult Use of Marijuana Impacting Cities and Towns in Massachusetts

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A Call to Action: The Municipal Modernization Act

The Municipal Modernization Act (“Act”) created a number of changes to various municipal laws – including finance, procurement, retirement, and public safety laws. However, the Act requires local action before certain provisions can take effect.

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Major Changes to Public Records Law for Municipalities

This client alert details the changes to the Massachusetts Municipal Public Records Law.

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The Smoky Impact from Massachusetts Voting to Regulate “Recreational” Marijuana

At the 2016 state election, Massachusetts voters approved Question 4, which regulates marijuana for recreational (i.e., non-medical) purposes. A consequence of Question 4 is that the production, possession, sale and consumption of marijuana – in certain amounts and under certain circumstances, for persons aged 21 years and over – will become legal under Massachusetts law.

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Governor Baker Signs Municipal Modernization Act

Governor Baker recently signed House Bill 4565, “An Act modernizing municipal finance and government” (the “Act”). This Act made changes in many areas of law affecting cities and towns, including procurement, insurance, local taxation, municipal finance, and employee benefits, among others. The Act amends provisions of more than 250 different sections of the Massachusetts General Laws and represents a major overhaul of municipal-related laws in Massachusetts.

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Big Changes Coming – Public Records Law Overhauled

On June 3, 2016, the Governor signed Chapter 121 of the Acts of 2016 – “An Act to Improve Public Records” – into law. The consequence of this legislation is to dramatically overhaul the requirements for responding to public records requests, across all levels of government. Municipalities and covered government agencies will need to respond and comply with the Public Records Law for requests, without delay – or risk having to pay the attorney’s fees and
litigation costs for successful requestors and punitive damages, and waiving the ability to charge requestors fees for responding.

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Overview of Amendments to the Public Records Law

A summary of the pertinent changes to the Public Records Law, which will become effective January 1, 2017.

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Department Of Public Health Changes Requirements To Registered Marijuana Dispensary Registration Process

“An Act for the Humanitarian Medical Use of Marijuana” (“Medical Marijuana Act”), approved by voters at the November 2012 election, contemplates the establishment of medical marijuana treatment centers (also known as registered marijuana dispensaries, or “RMDs”) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Through its regulations, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has established an application and registration process for RMDs

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Approaching a Level Playing Field: Work Product May Be Subject To Exemption Under Public Records Law

Work product includes materials that are “prepared in anticipation of litigation or for trial by or for another party or by or for that other party’s representative (including his attorney . . . .)” Mass. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(3). Examples of work product are investigatory or consultant studies or reports, as well as documents containing the mental impressions of an attorney or consultant. In General Electric Corp. v. Department of Environmental Protection, 429 Mass. 798 (1999),
the Supreme Judicial Court previously held that work product was not exempt from disclosure under the Public Records Law. However, in a recent decision (DaRosa v. City of New Bedford, SJC-11759, 2015 WL 2258628 (May 15, 2015)), the Supreme Judicial Court revisited General Electric and held that, in certain cases, work product may be considered exempt under the Public Records Law. The Supreme Judicial Court also clarified the scope of what is regarded as the “derivative attorney-client
privilege.”

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Appeals Court Decision in CELCO Construction Corp. v. Town of Avon

On March 2, 2015, the Appeals Court issued a decision in a case handled by Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP, which significantly impacts communities across Massachusetts. In Celco Construction Corp. v. Town of Avon, Appeals Court No. 13-P-1880 (slip op.) (March 2, 2015), the Appeals Court upheld the Town of Avon’s decision to deny an equitable adjustment claim for latent defects where the bidder had engaged in so-called “penny bidding” – artificially pricing a
particular bid category at one cent ($.01) in order to achieve a bidding advantage. The Court held that the “indeterminate” amount of the item does not automatically give rise to a latent defects claim where the nature of the work was contemplated and the awarding authority was clear that only the amount was unknown.”

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Firearms Licensing Advisory – August 2014

Proposed in the wake of gun violence incidents nationwide, on July 31, 2014, the Massachusetts Legislature passed “An Act Relative to the Reduction of Gun Violence” (Act). The Act, which is now awaiting the Governor’s approval, will make significant changes to the authority of local licensing authorities over firearms licensing.

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Landmark Surrounding Community Agreement from Expanded Gaming Act Arbitration Upheld by Massachusetts Gaming Commission

May 2014 – MHTL prevailed in an arbitration involving a surrounding community agreement on behalf of the Town of Longmeadow, Massachusetts (“Longmeadow”), which was the first surrounding community agreement upheld by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Under its surrounding community agreement, Longmeadow will receive in excess of $5 million from an applicant for a proposed Western Massachusetts destination resort casino, for traffic and public safety mitigation and for
legal and consulting reimbursement.

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Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Regulation Advisory

In May 2013, the Department of Public Health (“DPH”) issued Final Regulations addressing the administration and implementation of Ballot Question 3 from the November 6, 2012 election, also known as the “Humanitarian Medical Use of Marijuana Act,” M.G.L. c. 94C, App. § 1-1 et seq. These regulations, appearing at 105 CMR 725.000, specifically address: Registered Marijuana Dispensaries (also referred to as Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers); certifying physicians;
dispensary agents; qualifying patients and their personal caregivers; and enforcement.

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FCC Reviewing Spectrum Act

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 strikes a balance between the competing needs of accelerating the rapid deployment of personal wireless communications and retaining state and local government control over land use. Subject to federal preemption over five (5) procedural and substantive matters, municipalities maintain their authority over the installation, construction and maintenance of wireless communications facilities.

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Massachusetts Gaming Commission Extends Deadline for Municipalities to Petition for Designation as Surrounding Communities to Proposed Slots-Parlor Establishments

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has recently extended the deadline for municipalities to petition and be designated as a surrounding community for the pending slots-parlor license applications to October 31, 2013.

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Whither Medical Marijuana Use in Massachusetts

At the November 6, 2012 election, the voters in Massachusetts approved Ballot Question 3, which authorizes medical marijuana and related uses. Ballot Question 3, now codified as Chapter 369 of the Acts of 2012 (the Law), became effective on January 1, 2013.

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Supreme Judicial Court Rules on Barr Incorporated v. Town of Holliston

Yesterday, May 3, the Supreme Judicial Court issued a decision that significantly impacts communities across Massachusetts. In Barr Incorporated v. Town of Holliston, SJC-10899 (May 3, 2012)(slip opinion), the Supreme Judicial Court held that Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 149, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Public Building Construction Statute, does not limit a municipal awarding authority, in making a determination of bidder responsibility, to consideration of materials collected by
the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance. Instead, a municipal awarding authority may conduct its own independent investigation into the past qualifications and performance of an individual bidder.

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Supreme Judicial Court Rules on Quinn Bill Case

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court yesterday issued a significant decision that could impact municipalities throughout the Commonwealth. In Adams v. City of Boston, SJC-10861 (March 7, 2012)(slip opinion), the Court held that the City of Boston was not required to pay the Commonwealth’s portion of career incentive payments due under the Quinn Bill, M.G.L. c. 41, § 108L.

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Three Ways to Found Money: Maximize Municipal Recovery of Funds

M.G.L. c. 40, § 57, allows municipalities to withhold permits and licenses for the non-payment of local taxes, fees, assessments, betterments or any other municipal charges. The statute is recognized as an effective enforcement mechanism to collect real estate taxes and other municipal debts. This statute has a broad scope of enforcement which includes debts owed by individuals, corporations or business enterprises. Although a municipality may have a number of options to achieve
enforcement, M.G.L. c. 40, § 57 is an enforcement statute which is independent of other statutory remedies available to a municipality.

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Massachusetts Attorney General Clarifies Expectations of Executive Session Meeting Minutes

Under the current version of the Open Meeting Law (M.G.L. c. 30A, § 22(a)), public bodies are required to prepare and maintain accurate minutes for the open and executive session of each public meeting. Among other requirements, these minutes must include “a summary of the discussions on each subject.” In OML 2011-55 (Stoughton School Committee), the Office of the Attorney General recently addressed the sufficiency of minutes prepared by a local public body.

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Duties of Chair of Local Public Body Under Open Meeting Law

The chair of a local public body has the following responsibilities under the Open Meeting Law, M.G.L. c. 30A, §§ 18-25, and Open Meeting Law Regulations, 940 CMR 29.00:

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Attorney General’s Office Issues Remote Participation Regulation for Public Bodies

The current version of the Open Meeting Law, M.G.L. c. 30A, §§ 18 to 25, left it up to the Office of the Attorney General to decide whether and under what circumstances public body members could remotely participate in a public meeting. In a recently issued regulation, 940 CMR 29.10, the Attorney General has now authorized certain members of public bodies to remotely participate in a public meeting, without having to be physically present at the meeting location.

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Governor Patrick Signs Emergency Law That Significantly Reforms Municipal Health Care Law

On July 12, 2011, Governor Patrick signed “An Act Relative to Municipal Health Insurance” (H. 3580) into law. Originally part of the FY 2012 budget, significant reforms to the municipal health insurance system were proposed and adopted as separate emergency legislation.

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Enforcement Letters From Attorney General’s Office Highlight Need for Specificity Under Open Meeting Law

Recent enforcement letters from the Attorney General’s office highlight the need for including specific details under the Open Meeting Law (M.G.L. c. 30A, §§ 18-25 and 940 CMR 29.00):

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Liability for Snow and Ice Accumulation

A recent decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court regarding liability for accumulation of snow and ice on property has raised many questions in Massachusetts municipalities.

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Supreme Judicial Court Upholds Town’s Right to Exercise Discretion under the Pre-Qualifications Statute: $46,000,000 School Construction Project Continues

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued a critical decision this month which enabled the Town of Hanover to proceed with its forty-six million dollar ($46,000,000) high school construction project, on schedule and within budget, almost ten months after construction commenced.

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Reminder: Changes to Open Meeting Law Scheduled to Take Effect July 1, 2010

In November, 2009, we sent out a client advisory regarding changes to the Open Meeting Law (to view this advisory, please go to www.mhtl.com). Those changes are scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2010, and will have a significant effect on how all “public bodies” covered by the law conduct their meetings. Among other things, the changes will directly affect:

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New Changes to The Open Meeting Law

In Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2009, entitled “An Act to Improve the Laws Relating to Campaign Finance, Ethics and Lobbying”, the Legislature substantially redrafted the provisions of the Open Meeting Law. The new provisions of the Open Meeting Law take effect on July 1, 2010.

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New Changes to Conflict of Interest Law

In Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2009, entitled “An Act to Improve the Laws Relating to Campaign Finance, Ethics and Lobbying”, the Legislature increased the stringency of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 268A, the Conflict of Interest Law. These changes took effect September 29, 2009.

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Old Quinn Bill is No More: Municipalities at Risk

On June 29, 2009, Governor Deval Patrick signed into law the Massachusetts State Budget for Fiscal Year 2010. Included in the final budget was a drastic cut in state funding for the Quinn Bill. The Quinn Bill provides additional compensation to police officers who complete an undergraduate or graduate degree. The significant reduction in Quinn Bill funding presents a potential burden for Massachusetts cities and towns.

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Supreme Judicial Court Upholds Municipalities’ Right to Impose Regulatory Fees

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued a critical decision last week which saved cash strapped municipalities from a potentially serious financial threat. In Silva v. City of Attleboro, et. al., SJC-10330 (6/26/09), a funeral director sued Attleboro and other cities, arguing that a nominal charge for issuing a burial permit was an illegal tax. Reversing the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court agreed with the cities and decided that the burial permit charges were
lawful fees, imposed to defray the reasonable expenses of regulating the disposal of human remains.

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Attorney Client Privilege – Public Records Law

In a decision of monumental importance to Massachusetts municipalities the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held in the case of Suffolk Construction Co., Inc. v. Division of Capital Asset Management, 449 Mass. 444 (2007) that by enacting the public records law the Legislature did not intend to extinguish the protection provided by the attorney-client privilege to public officers or employees and governmental entities subject to that law, and that confidential communications between public
officers and employees and governmental entities and their legal counsel undertaken for the purpose of obtaining legal advice or assistance are protected under the normal rules of the attorney-client privilege. The decision was issued on July 13, 2007.

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Limitations on the Scope of the Community Preservation Act

The Community Preservation Act (“CPA”), a local option statute enacted by the Legislature in 2000, is a mechanism for allowing municipalities to maintain their character and natural resources. By accepting the CPA, municipalities may approve a surcharge of up to three (3%) of the real estate tax levy against real property for purposes of the CPA.

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SJC Decision Permits Lie Detector Tests for Police Officers Suspected of Criminal Activities

Last Wednesday, the Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”) released a decision of manifest importance to any police department considering the use of lie detectors in connection with investigations of potentially criminal behavior by police officers. The decision in Furtado v. Town of Plymouth, __ N.E.2d __, 2008 WL 2170141 (Mass.), permits a police department to require an officer to submit to a lie detector test in an internal investigation when the conduct being investigated would be a
crime. This holds true even if criminal prosecution for that conduct is not possible.

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Impact of New State Excavation and Trench Safety Law Upon Municipalities

The new trench safety law, contained at M.G.L. c. 82A, § 1 et seq. and 520 CMR 14.00, imposes certain responsibilities upon municipalities with respect to the issuance of permits to “excavators” for the excavation of certain “trenches.” The trench safety regulations will be effective on January 1, 2009.

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Bjorklund et al. v. Zoning Board of Appeals of Norwell SJC-09931

The Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth has just issued its decision in the Bjorklund case, effectively resolving the question: “Does the proposed reconstruction of a single-family residence, which satisfies all dimensional requirements in the town’s zoning by-law except minimum lot size requirements, increase the nonconforming nature of the structure?” In this case, the Supreme Judicial Court provided an affirmative response in a majority opinion by Justice John
Greaney.

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Latest News

Statutory Regulations Released for Interagency Review of Complex Cases

On March 1, 2024, EOHHS and DESE released the long-awaited, final adoption of the regulations governing the Interagency Review of Complex Cases (published as 101 CMR 27.00). These regulations had been anticipated since the Massachusetts Legislature passed “An Act Addressing Barriers to Care for Mental Health” in August, 2022. The purpose of the law is the establishment of a team that will collaborate on complex cases where there is an urgent need to address a lack of consensus between state agencies about the service needs or placement of an individual. This replaces what was known as the Unified Planning Team, or “UPT”. The co-chairs of the IRT will be the secretary (or a designee) from EOHHS and the commissioner (or a designee) of DESE.

Legal Updates

Statutory Regulations Released for Interagency Review of Complex Cases

On March 1, 2024, EOHHS and DESE released the long-awaited, final adoption of the regulations governing the Interagency Review of Complex Cases (published as 101 CMR 27.00). These regulations had been anticipated since the Massachusetts Legislature passed “An Act Addressing Barriers to Care for Mental Health” in August, 2022. The purpose of the law is the establishment of a team that will collaborate on complex cases where there is an urgent need to address a lack of consensus between state agencies about the service needs or placement of an individual. This replaces what was known as the Unified Planning Team, or “UPT”. The co-chairs of the IRT will be the secretary (or a designee) from EOHHS and the commissioner (or a designee) of DESE.

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