IGR21-22 Land of Low Value Post-Affidavit Process and Deeds in Lieu of Foreclosure M.G.L. c.60, §79 provides a simpler and faster method for municipalities to foreclose on lots of low value than the ordinary foreclosure process through Land Court. In IGR21-22, the Division of Local Services describes this administrative foreclosure process once the Commissioner of Revenue’s affidavit is obtained. It also describes the process to accept deeds in lieu of foreclosure. MassDOT Ch

What relief is available to a citizen when the Town declines to make requested repairs to a public way? Not much, according to the Appeals Court in the case of Fratus v. Town of Harwich. The plaintiff petitioned the Town of Harwich to widen, harden, and resurface certain public ways in the area of his home, which he asserted were too narrow to be safe for travel and emergency access. The Board of Selectmen held a public hearing and denied the petition. The plaintiff then sued

The recreational use of marijuana was legalized by Massachusetts voters in 2016. Pursuant to M.G.L. c.94G, §4, the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) is tasked with oversight and regulation of the use and distribution of recreational marijuana. The CCC is authorized to issue licenses to those seeking to operate a marijuana establishment. However, a prospective marijuana establishment must first execute a host community agreement (HCA) with the municipality in which it seeks to

We hope that you took note of our own Ethan Dively, who was quoted in the August 2 edition of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, for his recent win in Land Court. Judge Speicher agreed with Ethan that the Framingham Zoning Board of Appeals had exceeded its authority when it revoked a building permit for an amateur radio tower. Ethan successfully argued that the ZBA had misapplied a portion of the City’s Zoning Bylaw, which was drafted to govern commercial wireless communication fa

Today is a big day for COVID guidance. Today’s prior alert focused on masks. This alert focuses on vaccines. We have received several questions regarding vaccines and vaccine mandates for both employees and members of the public because of the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases. This Client Alert highlights this area of concern for municipalities. Here is a list of the Memoranda referenced in this Alert: · July 6, 2021 Memorandum Opinion to the President from the Department of J

State and federal government agencies have published updated guidance regarding face coverings as a result of the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases. This Client Alert highlights this guidance and potential next steps. Here is a list of the Advisories and Guidance referenced in this Alert: · July 30, 2021, Guidance for Districts and Schools: Fall 2021 from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) · July 30, 2021, Advisory Regarding Face Coverings and Cloth Mas