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S 2111

Relates to the authority for the impose an additional mortgage recording tax in Otsego county

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Peter Oberacker

The bill authorizes DCAMM to grant a non-exclusive easement on UMass Boston land to Boston Gas to install and operate a 12-inch gas main, with the state paid fair value.

SIGNED CHAP.259
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Bill Summary · S 2111

Summary — S.2111 (SIGNED CHAP.259, 2025)

An Act authorizing the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to convey an easement across certain property in the Dorchester section of the city of Boston to the Boston Gas Company

Purpose

Authorize the state (through the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance — DCAMM), in consultation with UMass Boston’s chancellor, to convey a non‑exclusive easement on state‑owned land at 100 Morrissey Boulevard (Parcel “F” on the Columbia Point/UMass plan) to Boston Gas Company (or its successors/assigns/affiliates) to install, operate and maintain an underground natural gas distribution system.

Key provisions

  • Authorization: Notwithstanding chapter 7C, §§32–37 or other law, the DCAMM commissioner (with the UMass Boston chancellor) may grant a non‑exclusive easement on Parcel F (University of Massachusetts property at 100 Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester) to Boston Gas Company.
  • Scope of easement: Rights to install, construct, reconstruct, alter, extend, operate, inspect, maintain, repair, renew, modify, replace, remove, abandon and otherwise change an underground natural gas distribution system. The easement covers existing underground/grade gas systems on Parcel F and the installation of a standard gas main from those systems to Bianculli Boulevard and Morrissey Boulevard.
  • Easement area: Approximately shown as “PROPOSED GAS EASEMENT AREA = 5,425 SF ±” on a plan titled “SKETCH TO ACCOMPANY EASEMENT FOR THE PROPOSED INSTALL OF 12‑INCH PLASTIC 60 PSIG GAS MAIN ON PRIVATE PROPERTY” (on file with DCAMM). Includes right of access (pass and repass) by foot/vehicle from Morrissey and Bianculli Boulevards.
  • Form of conveyance: Substantially Boston Gas Company’s standard easement form for similar installations, prepared per its DPU‑approved distribution service terms and conditions.
  • Costs: Grantee (Boston Gas) bears all costs related to the conveyance (engineering, appraisals, surveys, deed preparation, etc.) as determined by the commissioner.
  • Consideration: The state must receive the greater of (i) full and fair market value or (ii) value in proposed use. An independent appraisal is required.
  • Oversight and reporting: Commissioner must submit the appraisal and report to the Inspector General (IG) for review and approval. The IG reviews methodology, prepares a report, and that material must be filed with the commissioner for submission to the House and Senate Ways & Means committees and the chairs of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight prior to executing the conveyance.
  • Dedicated fund: Creates the “UMass Boston Morrisey Boulevard Easement Fund,” a separate non‑budgeted special revenue fund administered by the UMass Boston chancellor. The fund is credited with proceeds from the easement, gifts or grants, and interest; funds are expendable (without further appropriation) for UMass Boston purposes; balances carry forward; the fund terminates when fully expended.

Who is affected

  • Boston Gas Company (grantee) and its successors/affiliates — gains rights to install and operate the gas infrastructure.
  • Commonwealth agencies: DCAMM (conveyance authority), Inspector General (appraisal review), Department of Public Utilities (indirectly via form/terms), and UMass Boston (chancellor administers fund and is consulted).
  • UMass Boston campus and users: potential new or upgraded gas service and related construction/activity on campus property.
  • Local community (Dorchester/Morrissey Blvd./Bianculli Blvd.): potential construction impacts and utility access.

Procedural timeline / status

  • Filed / docketed: January 17, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 2036).
  • Public hearing recorded: April 9, 2025.
  • Passed Senate: May 27, 2025.
  • Passed House / Returned to Senate: June 13, 2025 (substituted for A5479; home rule request noted).
  • Delivered to Governor: August 4, 2025.
  • Signed into law: August 7, 2025 (Chapter 259, 2025).

Potential effects and considerations

  • Enables installation/extension of a 12‑inch, 60 PSIG plastic gas main to serve campus or adjacent properties; may improve or expand natural gas service.
  • Generates proceeds for UMass Boston, dedicated to campus purposes via the created special revenue fund.
  • Requires independent appraisal and IG review to ensure the state receives appropriate compensation.
  • Construction and ongoing pipeline operation may involve temporary disruption, safety oversight, and environmental considerations; these are addressed through project permitting, DPU terms, and standard easement conditions.

For reference: easement and plan documents are on file with DCAMM as described in the bill, and the conveyance must follow the appraisal and IG review requirements before execution.

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

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