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H 4363

An Act authorizing the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance to convey a certain parcel of land in the town of Wellesley

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Alice Peisch

CMA can convey a 3,500 sq ft Wellesley parcel to Kimberlee Dow; sale proceeds fund the MBCC Oakland Circle Scholarship Trust for student scholarships, with IG oversight.

Ordered to a third reading
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Bill Summary · H 4363

Summary of H.4363: An Act authorizing the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance to convey a certain parcel of land in the town of Wellesley

Purpose and high-level intent

  • Authorizes the Commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (formerly the Commonwealth’s asset manager) to convey a small parcel of land in Wellesley to Kimberlee A. Dow (and successors/assigns).
  • The conveyance is tied to a specific parcel used for Massachusetts Bay Community College (MBCC) purposes, and proceeds are dedicated to MBCC scholarships through a newly established trust.
  • The act is labeled an emergency measure to effect the transfer promptly.

What the bill would do (key provisions)

  • Section 1 – Conveyance authority

    • Allows CMA, in consultation with MBCC, to convey a 3,500-square-foot parcel (identified as “Gravel Driveway” on a specific plan) located at 23 Oakland Circle, Wellesley.
    • Parcel boundaries to be determined by CMA.
    • Conveyance to Kimberlee A. Dow (or successors/assigns) with no warranties; subject to additional terms deemed necessary by CMA.

  • Section 2 – Consideration and appraisal

    • The sale price must be the greater of the parcel’s fair market value or its value in use, as determined by an independent appraiser.
    • The appraisals and the appraisal methodology are to be reviewed and approved by the Inspector General (IG).
    • The IG’s review and comments are to be filed with CMA and then submitted to the House/Senate Ways and Means and the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight at least 15 days before any transfer documents are executed.

  • Section 3 – Use of proceeds

    • Proceeds from the conveyance are to be deposited into the Massachusetts Bay Community College Oakland Circle Scholarship Trust.

  • Section 4 – Transaction costs

    • The buyer (Dow) or successors/assigns are responsible for all costs of the transaction (engineering, surveys, appraisals, title work, recording fees, deed preparation, etc.).

  • Section 5 – Establishment of the scholarship trust

    • Creates the Massachusetts Bay Community College Oakland Circle Scholarship Trust, administered by MBCC’s president.
    • The trust is funded by: (i) sale proceeds, (ii) applicable gifts/grants, and (iii) earned interest.
    • Funds may be used for student scholarships without requiring a separate appropriation; unexpended balances roll over from year to year; expenditures cannot cause a fund deficit.

Who is affected

  • Kimberlee A. Dow (buyer) and successors/assigns.
  • Massachusetts Bay Community College (MBCC) (beneficiary of the scholarship trust; recipient and administrator of the fund).
  • The Commonwealth (through CMA and statutory processes).
  • Inspector General (oversight of appraisal and methodology).
  • MBCC students who benefit from scholarships funded by the trust.
  • Wellesley community due to the transfer of municipal-adjacent land.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Status: Ordered to a third reading; introduced July 30, 2025; reported by the House Ways and Means with amendments; emergency language included.
  • Legislative actions show amendments and substitution (S.2724) and progression through typical committee review, with final passage pending at third reading.

Potential implications and considerations

  • The transfer bypasses certain existing land-disposition requirements (per Section 1’s waiver of specified General Laws), justified by an emergency finding.
  • The process emphasizes independent appraisal and IG oversight to ensure valuation fairness and transparency.
  • The scholarship trust creates a lasting educational benefit linked to the sale, with protections to preserve principal and fund ongoing scholarships.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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