An Act authorizing the town of Billerica to transfer control of certain land in the town of Billerica for the Yankee Doodle Bike Path

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Cindy Friedman and 1 co-sponsor

The bill transfers land control in Billerica from the conservation commission to the select board to advance and maintain the Yankee Doodle Bike Path for recreation.

Ordered to a third reading

Summary of Bill H. 5492 (194th General Court, Massachusetts)

Purpose and intent

The bill authorizes the town of Billerica to transfer control of specific land within its borders from the town’s conservation commission to the town’s select board.

The transfer is for recreational purposes to support the construction and maintenance of the Yankee Doodle Bike Path.

Key provisions

Legislative authorization: The conservation commission of Billerica may transfer ownership/control of designated land to the town’s select board.

Scope of land affected: The transfer applies to parcels shown as “E-23,” “FP-9,” and “PUE-5” on a plan filed with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) titled “Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway Division Plan and Profile of Yankee Doodle Bike Path in the Town of Billerica, Middlesex County, Preliminary Right of Way Plans.”

Parcel identifiers: The affected parcels are described in town records as:

Parcel ID: 78-282-1-1
Parcel ID: 87-258-1
Parcel ID: 87-249-2

Current use and status of land:

“E-23” and “PUE-5” parcels have been used to promote, develop, and protect natural resources.
“FP-9” parcel has been used to promote and develop natural resources and to protect watershed resources.

Constitutional and statutory caveats: The transfer is authorized “notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary” and is conditioned on compliance with Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution (which protects certain conservation and open-space lands). This ensures that recreational use does not violate protections for protected land.

Effective date: The act takes effect upon passage.

Who would be affected

The town government of Billerica (conservation commission and select board) would directly implement the transfer and assume authority over the specified parcels for recreational use.

The Yankee Doodle Bike Path project would benefit from clarified land control to advance construction and ongoing maintenance.

The public may gain increased access to recreational infrastructure and potential enhancements to natural-resource protection linked to watershed resources.

Procedural and timeline notes

This bill was reported out of the House Ways and Means Committee and is a replacement draft of an earlier measure (H. 4440), indicating a revised version moving forward.

The act would take effect immediately upon passage, pending any required compliance with constitutional protections (Article 97) and any related state approvals or permitting processes tied to the bike path project.

Practical impact

Enables streamlined land management for the Yankee Doodle Bike Path by transferring control from the conservation commission to the select board.

Aims to balance recreational development with existing natural-resource and watershed protections through Article 97 compliance.