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S 3160

An Act relative to the dissolution of the Holmes Park Water District

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Peter Durant and 1 co-sponsor

Dissolve the Holmes Park Water District and transfer all its water-supply duties, assets, debts, and funding to the Town of Westminster.

Read; and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
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Bill Summary · S 3160

Overview

S.3160 (194th Massachusetts General Court) proposes the dissolution of the Holmes Park Water District and the transfer of its rights, responsibilities, assets, and operations to the town of Westminster. The bill repeals the district’s enabling statute (Chapter 788 of the Acts of 1963) and transfers duties, property, and funding to Westminster, with mechanisms for billing, debt payment, and the use of any surplus funds.

Main purpose and intent

  • Dissolve the Holmes Park Water District and consolidate its water supply duties into the Town of Westminster.
  • Preserve ongoing constitutional property protections (Article 97) for any real property interests that may be subject to it, by continuing those protections in Westminster if applicable.
  • Ensure a seamless transition of financial obligations and resources to Westminster’s water system.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 1: Repeals Chapter 788 of the Acts of 1963, which established the Holmes Park Water District.
  • Section 2: Transfer of the district’s functions and assets to Westminster:
    • Westminster assumes all rights, duties, and responsibilities to supply water within the district’s boundaries for all purposes in Chapter 788.
    • All district infrastructure, equipment, facilities, funds, assets, liabilities, and property become Westminster’s. The infrastructure becomes part of Westminster’s water supply system under the care and control of Westminster’s public works commission.
    • If any district real property interests fall under Article 97, those interests remain with Westminster.
    • Financial matters: charges and taxes owed to the district become due to Westminster. Westminster, via its public works commission, inherits enforcement and collection rights.
    • Funds: on the effective date, district funds transfer to Westminster. Those funds will be used to pay the district’s outstanding debts first. Any remaining funds flow into Westminster’s water enterprise fund (established under G.L. Chapter 44, § 53F1/2) for water-related purposes.
  • Section 3: The act takes effect upon passage.

Who or what is affected

  • District: Holmes Park Water District (its rights, duties, property, infrastructure, funds, debts, and operations).
  • Town: Westminster, which would assume responsibility for supplying water, managing infrastructure, enforcing charges, and handling financial matters related to the district.
  • Constituents within the district: Inhabitants previously served by the Holmes Park Water District, who would be billed by Westminster for water charges.
  • Legal frameworks: Repeal of Chapter 788; potential incorporation of Article 97 considerations for relevant land interests; integration of funds into Westminster’s water enterprise fund.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill was filed on 7/1/2026 and substituted as new draft S.3160 (Durant) for S.2505, with sponsor/co-sponsors listed.
  • It passed to be engrossed on 7/2/2026 and was referred to the House committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling on 7/8/2026 (action history indicates initial steps in the legislative process).
  • Effective date: upon passage of the act (no separate sunset or delayed effective date specified).

Summary

Bill S.3160 seeks to dissolve the Holmes Park Water District and transfer all related responsibilities, assets, and financial obligations to the Town of Westminster, consolidating water service within Westminster’s public works framework. Existing debts would be paid from district funds, with any surplus redirected to Westminster’s water enterprise fund for ongoing water-related purposes. The change would repeal the district’s enabling statute and incorporate Article 97 considerations where applicable, with Westminster assuming enforcement, billing, and operations for water supply within the district’s former boundaries. The measure would become effective immediately upon passage.

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

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