Summary: House Bill H.2355 – An Act authorizing the town of Northfield to acquire property in the town of Bernardston
Overview
- Purpose: To authorize the town of Northfield to acquire, by any lawful means (gift, purchase, eminent domain, or otherwise), a specific parcel of land located in Bernardston for general municipal use, including the potential establishment of a public safety facility.
- Effective date: Takes effect upon passage.
Key Provisions
- Section 1: Grants Northfield authority to acquire the described Bernardston property notwithstanding section 14 of Chapter 40 of the General Laws or any other law to the contrary. Acquisition may be by gift, purchase, eminent domain, or other means.
- Use of property: For general municipal purposes, explicitly including a public safety facility.
- Property description: A parcel of land totaling approximately 3.018 acres, with improvements, known as 546 Northfield Road (Route 10) in Bernardston. Legal description references:
- Deed recorded with the Franklin County Registry of Deeds in Book 6209, Page 62
- Shown as “Lot 2” on a plan titled “Plan of Land in Bernardston, MA Surveyed for Country Oil, Inc,” dated August 15, 2001, recorded with the Registry in Plan Book 114, Page 43
- Section 2: Specifies that the act takes effect upon passage.
Property Details
- Location: 546 Northfield Road (Route 10), Bernardston, MA
- Size: Approximately 3.018 acres
- Improvements: Included on the parcel as described above
- Land records references: Deed Book 6209, Page 62; Plan Book 114, Page 43
Who Is Affected
- Town of Northfield: Gained authority to acquire the Bernardston property for municipal use, including potential facilities for public safety.
- Town of Bernardston: Property owner status would change only if acquisition occurs; otherwise, remains unaffected.
- Public safety and municipal planning entities: Could benefit from a potential new facility or shared services arrangement enabled by the acquisition.
Procedural and Timeline Notes
- Introduction: February 27, 2025
- Committee: Referred to the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government on February 27, 2025; Senate concurrence noted.
- Legislative actions: The hearing date has been rescheduled multiple times, with the latest notice placing the hearing on July 29, 2025, in Gardner Auditorium (and virtually), originally scheduled for earlier times and then adjusted.
- Sponsors: Representative Susannah M. Whipps (cosponsor) and Senator Joanne M. Comerford (cosponsor)
- Related bill: House Docket No. 1745 (HD 1745) accompanies the bill; HD 1745 is listed as replacement.
Legal and Fiscal Considerations
- Notwithstanding existing general laws restricting land acquisition, this act explicitly authorizes Northfield to acquire the Bernardston parcel by various means, including eminent domain, for municipal use.
- No explicit funding mechanism or fiscal terms are included in the text; any acquisition would require appropriate appropriation and subsequent budgeting by Northfield.
Impact Summary
- Enables inter-town land acquisition for municipal purposes and potential joint or expanded public safety facilities.
- Creates a streamlined path for Northfield to obtain a specific Bernardston parcel, subject to standard procedural requirements and approvals during the normal legislative and municipal processes.
