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H 4009

An Act authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer services to a certain parcel of land in the town of Sharon

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Ted Philips and 1 co-sponsor

MWRA may provide sewer service to a 3.07-acre Sharon parcel via Walpole, capped at 10,000 gal/day; Lang’s Century Services pays all tie-in costs.

Signed by the Governor, Chapter 54 of the Acts of 2025
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Bill Summary · H 4009

Summary: H 4009 — Act authorizing MWRA to provide sewer services to a parcel in Sharon

Overview

H 4009 is a targeted, locally focused bill that authorizes the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) to provide sewer services to a specific parcel of land in the town of Sharon, with service to be delivered through the town of Walpole’s sewer infrastructure. The measure was introduced in March 2025, advanced through the General Court, and was signed by the Governor as Chapter 54 of the Acts of 2025. The legislation sets conditions, capacity limits, and cost responsibilities tied to the proposed connection.

Purpose and Scope

  • Authorizes MWRA to provide sewer services to a 3.07-acre property at the intersection of Route One (General Edwards Highway) and High Plain Street in Sharon.
  • The parcel is described as Lots 2R and 4R on General Edwards Highway, and Lots 4 and 5 on Sharon Assessors Map 116; the property is currently under contract for sale to Lang’s Century Services or its nominee/assignee.
  • Discharges to the MWRA system are limited to 10,000 gallons per day unless the Authority approves a higher volume.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1: The Authority may connect this Sharon parcel to MWRA sewer service via Walpole, subject to:
    • receipt of approvals required under §2 and compliance with MWRA procedures,
    • payment of an entrance fee to the Authority,
    • volumetric discharge cap of 10,000 gallons per day (unless a higher cap is approved by MWRA),
    • the property may be serviced to the same extent as MWRA parcels currently served by the system,
    • all costs for engineering, design, construction, supervision, labor, equipment, and materials for the sewer tie-in are to be paid by Lang’s Century Services (or its nominee/assignee).
  • Section 2: The sewer connection and service may commence only after the MWRA Board votes to approve the connection and makes required findings under section 8(c) of chapter 372 of the Acts of 1984, along with other determinations in accordance with MWRA policies and necessary local and state approvals (including approvals from the originating and transporting communities and advisory bodies, as applicable).
  • Section 3: The act takes effect upon passage.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Lang’s Century Services (and its successor, nominee, or assignee): responsible for all tie-in costs and any project-related engineering/construction expenses.
  • Sharon (the property owner/developer) and the local community: potential sewer service integration and growth implications tied to the parcel’s sale and uses.
  • MWRA and Walpole: new service arrangement requiring Board approval and adherence to MWRA policies and regulatory steps.
  • Local/regulatory bodies: would need to grant the relevant approvals described in Section 2.

Procedural and Timeline Highlights

  • Introduced: March 31, 2025; filed March 26, 2025 (House Docket No. 4536).
  • Final status: Signed by the Governor; Chapter 54 of the Acts of 2025 (governing effective date: upon passage).
  • Related actions show a multi-stage legislative review culminating in an emergency preamble and final enactment in October–November 2025.

Effective Date

  • The act takes effect upon passage.

This bill is a narrowly tailored authorization enabling MWRA sewer service for a specific Sharon parcel, with defined discharge limits, cost responsibilities, and prerequisite approvals before the connection may proceed.

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

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