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S 2135

Requires additional disclosures from lobbyists

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 4 co-sponsors

The bill authorizes DCAMM to swap two Upton parcels for two conservation parcels under DCR, with replacement land if contamination is found.

REFERRED TO ETHICS AND INTERNAL GOVERNANCE
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Bill Summary · S 2135

Summary — S.2135 (2025): Disposition of certain property in the town of Upton

Overview / Purpose

This bill authorizes a negotiated land swap between the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) and the Upton Development Group, Ltd. The intent is to allow DCAMM, in consultation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), to convey two specified parcels in Upton to the private developer and, in exchange, receive two other parcels to be placed under DCR control for conservation. The bill amends Chapter 156 of the Acts of 2005 by replacing sections 1–3 with new language setting out the transfer, exchange, and replacement rules.

Note: The bill text concerns property disposition in Upton. Some metadata supplied with the request (title: “Requires additional disclosures from lobbyists”; sponsor list) appears inconsistent with the body of the bill. Readers should verify official sources for final sponsor/title attribution.

Key provisions

  • Authority to convey: DCAMM, in consultation with DCR, may convey by deed two parcels off Maple Avenue in Upton (parcels shown on an “Approval Not Required Plan of Land Maple Avenue, Hartford Avenue, 9 Glen Avenue Upton, Massachusetts, Worcester County,” dated October 13, 2013, prepared by Geo/Network Land Survey, Inc.) to Upton Development Group, Ltd., or its nominee — notwithstanding sections 32–37 of chapter 7C (which generally govern disposal of state real property).
  • Consideration by exchange: In consideration for that conveyance, DCAMM shall receive from the recipient two parcels (shown on a separate plan dated October 13, 2013, for 17 Glen Avenue) to be placed under DCR care, custody, and control and used for conservation purposes.
  • Contamination / replacement clause: If the conveyance proposed to DCAMM is unacceptable due to environmental contamination, Upton Development Group or its nominee must convey alternative replacement land acceptable to DCAMM (in consultation with DCR). Replacement land must have equal or greater acreage and natural resource value and be placed under DCR control for conservation.
  • Exact parcel boundaries: To be determined by the DCAMM commissioner in consultation with DCR (and, for the parcels to be received, in consultation with the recipient).

Who is affected

  • Upton Development Group, Ltd. (or its nominee) — potential recipient of state parcels and obligated to provide replacement parcels if necessary.
  • DCAMM and DCR — agencies executing and accepting conveyances; DCR will assume stewardship of conservation parcels.
  • Town of Upton and local stakeholders — potential changes in land ownership, development prospects, and conservation outcomes.
  • Public/environment — potential environmental review implications if contamination is present; conservation land added to DCR holdings.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Filed in the Senate (docket references show initial filing 1/14/2025; bill intro/reading activity recorded June–July 2025).
  • Committee actions and readings listed include referral to State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, hearings scheduled, and a reported favorable committee action; status entries also show referral to Ethics and Internal Governance. A new draft (Fattman) was substituted (see S.2576).
  • Because the bill uses “notwithstanding” language to bypass standard Chapter 7C disposal procedures, it requires express legislative approval to effect the transfers.

Considerations / potential impacts

  • Conservation benefit: adds land to DCR for conservation if parcels accepted.
  • Environmental risk: contingency for contaminated land requires suitable replacement parcels; environmental assessments will be important.
  • Precedent: use of statute to override Chapter 7C disposal rules in a site-specific transfer.
  • Local planning and tax implications: transfer of state parcels to a private developer could change local land-use and tax dynamics.

Recommendation

Verify sponsors, official title, and current status with the Legislature’s formal docket (due to metadata inconsistencies). Review any environmental site assessments for the parcels to be conveyed or received and confirm the exact parcel descriptions once the commissioner determines boundaries.

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

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