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Bill

HD 6179

An Act authorizing the transfer of certain parcels of land in the town of Weston from the Weston conservation commission to the select board

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

Weston transfers three parcels to the Select Board for water tanks, and must return a separate mitigation parcel to the Conservation Commission for ongoing conservation and open sp

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Bill Summary · HD 6179

Purpose and intent

  • The bill authorizes the transfer of specific parcels of land in Weston from the town’s Conservation Commission to the Select Board for the purpose of siting water tanks.
  • In return, a separate Weston Town parcel is designated to be transferred back to the Conservation Commission as mitigation, to be held for passive recreation, open space, and conservation purposes.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Transfers from Conservation Commission to Select Board (Section 1)

    • The Weston Conservation Commission may transfer care, custody, and management of three land parcels currently held for passive recreation/open space/conservation to the Weston Select Board.
    • The parcels to be transferred:
      • Parcel A (55,235 square feet): Linked to Paines Hill Tank Water Supply Land plans (dated Sept. 25, 2024); located on assessor’s map 31-6-30; described in Middlesex south Deed Book 13093, Page 604.
      • Parcel A (74,841 square feet): Linked to Cat Rock Tank Water Supply Land plans (dated Sept. 25, 2024); located on assessor’s map 14-6; described in Middlesex south Deed Book 9040, Page 366.
      • Parcel A (65,999 square feet): Linked to Doublet Hill Tank Water Supply Land plans (dated Sept. 25, 2024); located on assessor’s map 40-37; described in Middlesex south Deed Book 12355, Page 279.
    • Purpose: Specifically for siting of water tanks.

  2. Mitigation and return of land to Conservation Commission (Section 2)

    • The Select Board must transfer a separate town-owned parcel back to the Conservation Commission as mitigation for the land transfers under Section 1.
    • The mitigation parcel details:
      • Size: 217,804 square feet.
      • Location: Part of assessor’s map 32-23-20; described in Middlesex south Deed Books 67393, Page 247 and 68039, Page 75.
      • Shown as Parcel B on the “Lot 9A Concept Subdivision” plan (dated Nov. 1, 2024).
    • Use of the mitigation parcel: To be held for passive recreation, open space, and conservation purposes under section 8C of Chapter 40 of the General Laws and protections of Article XCVII of the Massachusetts Constitution.

  3. Effective date (Section 3)

    • The act becomes effective upon passage by the General Court.

Affected parties and impact

  • Local government bodies:
    • Weston Conservation Commission: Originally holds three parcels slated for transfer; will regain a conservation/open space parcel as mitigation.
    • Weston Select Board: Will receive three parcels for siting water tanks.
  • Public interests affected:
    • Water infrastructure development (siting of tanks) on the transferred parcels.
    • Conservation, open space, and passive recreation on the mitigation parcel.
  • Legal/land-use framework:
    • Transfers are framed as authorizations notwithstanding general or special laws.
    • Mitigation aligns with Article XCVII protections and 8C provisions of Chapter 40, ensuring ongoing conservation/open-space status for the mitigation parcel.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill outlines the transfer and mitigation framework but does not specify additional funding or detailed schedule beyond identification of plans and parcel descriptions dated September 25, 2024, and mitigation subdivision plan dated November 1, 2024.
  • The act takes effect upon passage.

Summary in brief

This bill enables Weston’s Conservation Commission to transfer three specified land parcels to the Select Board for siting water tanks, while requiring the Select Board to transfer a separate mitigation parcel back to the Conservation Commission for ongoing conservation, open space, and passive recreation purposes. The arrangement is designed to balance water infrastructure needs with long-term conservation goals, subject to Massachusetts constitutional and statutory protections.

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

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