James Gallman

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 122 co-sponsors

Authorizes transfer of specific Billerica land to the Select Board for the Yankee Doodle Bike Path, subject to Article 97 protections for open space use.

Scrivener's error corrected

Summary: H.4440 (2025-2026) – Yankee Doodle Bike Path land transfer in Billerica

Purpose and main intent

Authorizes the Town of Billerica to transfer ownership/control of specific town land to the Town’s Select Board for recreational purposes to facilitate the construction of the Yankee Doodle Bike Path.

The transfer is allowed notwithstanding other general or special laws, and is conditioned on compliance with Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution (land may be used for open space/recreational purposes while protecting conservation values).

Key provisions

Section 1

Grants the Conservation Commission of the Town of Billerica authority to transfer to the Town’s Select Board, for recreational purposes and subject to Article 97, certain land parcels identified as E-23, FP-9, and PUE-5.
The land is depicted on the plan 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.”
The affected land includes portions of parcels described in the Town’s Assessor records as Parcel IDs: 78-282-1-1, 87-258-1, and 87-249-2.
The transfer is specific to the Yankee Doodle Bike Path project.

Section 2

The act takes effect upon passage.

Lands and parties affected

Affected land: Portions of E-23, FP-9, and PUE-5 shown on the DOT plan, within the Town of Billerica.

Landowners/roles: Conservation Commission (current holder) transfers to the Town of Billerica’s Select Board.

Purpose relation: Intended for recreational use in connection with constructing the Yankee Doodle Bike Path.

Procedural history and timeline highlights

Introduced: August 21, 2025 (House Docket No. 4854; House No. 4440).

Local approval: Petition indicates local approval received.

Senate action: Senate concurred on August 25, 2025.

Committee action: Reported favorably by committee and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on September 22, 2025.

Hearing: Scheduled for September 4, 2025 (written testimony only) as part of committee review.

Take effect: Upon passage of the act.

Fiscal and practical considerations

The text does not specify any appropriation or funding; the bill focuses on authorization for transfer of land for park/recreational use.

The transfer is subject to Article 97 protections, ensuring that the land remains available for conservation/open space purposes while enabling the bike path project.

Related measures

Related Bill: HD 4854 (listed as replacing this measure in some references).

The bill is categorized under Municipalities and Regional Government with local approval acknowledged.