Bill
S 2576
Authorizes emergency conveyance of two Upton parcels to a developer, with replacement parcels to DCR for conservation, bypassing standard disposal rules to speed the transfers.
Note on title discrepancy
- The bill header provided ("Relates to the definition of person for the purposes of homicide") does not match the bill text. This summary follows the bill text filed July 30–31, 2025, which authorizes conveyance/exchange of specific parcels in the town of Upton for conservation and recreation purposes.
Purpose and intent
- To authorize the Commonwealth to convey two specific parcels in Upton to a private developer (Upton Development Group, Ltd. or nominee) and to secure replacement parcels to remain under public conservation control. The statute is enacted as an emergency law to permit immediate transfers.
Key provisions
- Amend Chapter 156 of the Acts of 2005 by replacing sections 1 and 2 with two new sections that:
- Authorize the Commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (in consultation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, DCR) to convey two parcels off Maple Avenue in Upton (described by deeds recorded in Worcester County: book 2651, page 81 and book 2646, page 147) to Upton Development Group, Ltd. or its nominee.
- Exempt these conveyances from the standard procedures in sections 32–37 of chapter 7C of the General Laws (i.e., waive certain general disposal requirements).
- Require the developer, in consideration for receiving those parcels, to convey two other parcels (identified as parcel 1B and parcel 3B on the referenced plan) to the Division/Commissioner for placement under DCR care, custody and control for conservation purposes.
- Allow the Division/Commissioner, in consultation with DCR, to reject parcel 1B and/or 3B if they are unacceptable due to environmental contamination. If rejected, the developer must convey suitable replacement land of equal or greater acreage and natural resource value acceptable to the Division/DCR.
- Provide that exact parcel boundaries will be determined by the Commissioner in consultation with DCR and the developer (as applicable). The parcels are shown on an "Approval Not Required Plan" dated October 7, 2013 by Geo/Network Land Survey, Inc.
Who is affected
- Upton Development Group, Ltd. (or its nominee) — prospective recipient of two Commonwealth parcels.
- Division/Commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) and Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) — parties making and receiving transfers and determining acceptability of replacement parcels.
- Town of Upton and local conservation interests — potential change in land use and conservation holdings.
- The general public — through changes to publicly held conservation/recreation lands and potential development.
Procedural/timeline notes
- Filed: July 30–31, 2025. Referred to Rules and then to Codes.
- Committee actions and amendments occurred in November 2025.
- Enacted by the Senate and House with emergency preamble adopted; recorded actions show enactment on November 19, 2025 (roll calls noted).
- Emergency preamble declares immediate effectiveness for public convenience.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Enables immediate transfer and potential development of two former conservation/recreation parcels while ensuring conservation value is preserved by requiring conveyance of replacement parcels (or acceptable substitutes) to DCR.
- Bypasses some standard public disposal procedures (chapter 7C, sections 32–37), concentrating decision authority in the Commissioner/DCAMM and DCR.
- Environmental contamination is explicitly accounted for by requiring acceptable replacements if initial parcels are contaminated.
- Exact land boundaries and resource-value equivalency will be determined administratively, so local stakeholders may wish to monitor implementation and site selection of replacements.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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