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S 2961

An Act authorizing the town of Dighton to use a portion of conservation land for public way purposes

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kelly Dooner and 1 co-sponsor

Allows Dighton to transfer 830 sq ft of conservation land at 0 Pleasant Street to the town for public works, enabling bridge replacement.

Accompanied a new draft, see S3052
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Bill Summary · S 2961

Summary of Bill: S.2961 (Session 194th, Massachusetts)

An Act authorizing the town of Dighton to use a portion of conservation land for public way purposes

Date: Filed February 17, 2026

1) Purpose and intent

  • The bill authorizes the town of Dighton to transfer care, custody, management, and control of a specific, small parcel of land from the conservation commission to the town’s Board of Selectmen for general municipal purposes.
  • In practical terms, the land’s use would include purposes related to public infrastructure, notably the replacement of a roadway bridge serving an adjacent public way.
  • This action is framed as an exception to general and special laws so the town can proceed with a public-works-related use of land previously designated for conservation.

2) Key provisions and changes

  • Parcel description:
    • Location: 0 Pleasant Street, Dighton.
    • Size: 830 square feet.
    • Identified as “Proposed Permanent Easement” on the plan titled “Dighton Pleasant Street Construction Plan.”
    • Assessor’s parcels: 076/020.0-0012 and 076/020.0-0013.
  • Authority shift:
    • The land would move from the Conservation Commission to the Board of Selectmen for general municipal purposes.
  • Purpose of transfer:
    • To facilitate the replacement of a roadway bridge that serves the adjacent public way.
  • Legal mechanism:
    • The act provides statutory authorization notwithstanding any contrary general or special law.
  • Effective date:
    • The act takes effect upon passage.

3) Affected parties and impacts

  • Affected entities:
    • Town of Dighton (Conservation Commission and Board of Selectmen).
    • The public, particularly users of Pleasant Street and the bridge related to the transfer.
    • Potential environmental and conservation interests due to land’s prior designation for conservation purposes.
  • Scope of impact:
    • A very small parcel (830 sq ft) would be reclassified from conservation to municipal public works use, enabling anticipated bridge replacement work.
  • Oversight and approvals:
    • The bill notes local approval has been received (local endorsement of the measure).

4) Procedural and timeline notes

  • Sponsorship:
    • Prime sponsors: Senator Kelly A. Dooner and Senator Justin Thurber (with Dooner listed as a co-sponsor in some materials).
  • Action history:
    • Referred to the Senate committee on Environment and Natural Resources (2/17/2026).
    • Hearing and scheduling activity occurred in early 2026 (noting a hearing reschedule).
    • House actions show concurrence on 2/19/2026.
  • Legislative status:
    • The bill is part of the 194th General Court (2025-2026 session) and has undergone committee consideration with accompanying draft updates (as of April 13, 2026).

Practical takeaway

S.2961 is a targeted local bill enabling the Town of Dighton to transfer a tiny conservation land parcel at 0 Pleasant Street to town control for the purpose of replacing a nearby bridge. The transfer is narrowly scoped to a specific 830-square-foot area and is intended to support a municipal public works project, with local approvals already in place. The act would take effect upon passage.

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

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