Massachusetts Municipal Law is the first manual of its type in Massachusetts to combine an explanation of the many statutory and regulatory sources and judicial decisions with clear practice tips, informing both the generalist and the specialist on what makes a city or town tick. A practical, comprehensive treatment of a variety of issues facing towns and cities today - an indispensable desk reference!
Highlights from the many developments reflected in this edition include:
- an expanded discussion of the procedures necessary to adopt or amend a municipal charter;
- the right of a homeowner to surplus funds following a foreclosure sale for delinquent taxes;
- an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) special education case in which the plaintiff was not required to exhaust remedies under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA);
- the adoption of An Act Addressing Barriers to Care for Mental Health, which mandated alternatives to student suspensions;
- updates on public employment collective bargaining;
- recent developments on regulation of cannabis operations;
- updates on public construction projects, including a Supreme Judicial Court review of the law governing liquidated damages;
- court approval of a large-scale solar energy system despite reliance on an access road that passed through a residential use zoning district;
- enactment of the Public Lands Preservation Act (PLPA), effective in February 2023;
- a detailed discussion of voting procedures, including vote by mail and early voting; and
- a launch of a new online learning platform for use in municipal ethics training and education.
Table of Contents
Chapter 01 - Municipal Home Rule in MassachusettsMarilyn Contreas,
Robert W. Ritchie, Esq.,
Formerly Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General
Chapter 02 - Forms of Municipal Government and Methods of Governance
Marilyn Contreas,
Robert W. Ritchie, Esq.,
Formerly Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General
Chapter 03 - The Municipal Attorney - A Community’s Chief Legal Officer
James B. Lampke, Esq.,
Lampke & Lampke
Exhibit 3A - Examples of Local Ordinances and Bylaws Pertaining to a Municipal Law Department
Exhibit 3B - SJC Rule 3:03 - Legal Assistance to the Commonwealth and to Indigent Criminal Defendants, and to Indigent Parties in Civil Proceedings
Exhibit 3C - Selected Advisories and Opinions from the State Ethics Commission
Exhibit 3D - Conflict of Interest Law Opinion Regarding Shared or Joint Representation
Exhibit 3E - Representative List of Recent Seminars Offered by the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association (MMLA)
Exhibit 3F - Partial List of Cases in Which MMLA Filed Amicus Briefs
Chapter 04 - Unique Representation Issues in the Municipal Context
Arthur J. Goldberg, Esq.,
Chapter 05 - The Relationship Between the Federal Government and Local Government
Paul Myer Kominers, Esq.,
Anderson Kreiger LLP
Mina Makarious, Esq.,
Anderson Kreiger LLP
Chapter 06 - Municipal Finance and Tax
Kathleen Colleary, Esq.,
Retired, Division of Local Services, MA Department of Revenue
Chapter 07 - Civil Rights Claims Against Municipalities
Thomas R. Donohue, Esq.,
Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten LLP
Leonard H. Kesten, Esq.,
Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten LLP
Francesca M. Papia, Esq.,
Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten LLP
Chapter 08 - School Law
Joanne Agnoli,
Robinson Donovan, PC
Nancy J. Campany, Esq.,
Murphy, Lamere & Murphy, PC
Michelle Allaire McNulty, Esq.,
Murphy, Lamere & Murphy, PC
Chapter 09 - Public Employee Collective Bargaining
John M. Collins, Esq.,
Exhibit 9A - Mandatory Subjects of Bargaining
Exhibit 9B - Examples of Nonmandatory Subjects of Bargaining
Exhibit 9C - Decisions Addressing Repudiation of Contract
Exhibit 9D - Decisions Addressing Unilateral Change
Exhibit 9E - Examples of Disputes Involving Impact Bargaining
Chapter 10 - Chapter 30B, the Uniform Procurement Act: The Basics
Joseph M. Cook, Esq.,
City of Northampton, Law Department
Chapter 11 - Secrets to a Successful Public Construction Project
Jane E. Estey, Esq.,
Horsley Witten Group, Inc.
Christopher J. Petrini, Esq.,
Petrini & Associates, PC
Chapter 12 - Municipal Real Estate Transactions
Ethan Blair Dively, Esq.,
Miyares and Harrington LLP
Christopher H. Heep, Esq.,
Miyares and Harrington LLP
Jennie M. Merrill, Esq.,
Miyares and Harrington LLP
Jonathan E. Simpson, Esq.,
Brookline, Town of/Town Counsel
Chapter 13 - Environmental Issues
Gregor I. McGregor, Esq.,
McGregor Legere & Stevens, PC
Chapter 14 - Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing at the Local Level
Ira H. Zaleznik, Esq.,
Lawson & Weitzen LLP
Exhibit 14A - Notice to All Retail Licensees (Sept. 28, 2004)
Chapter 15 - Gifts and Other Charitable Dispositions to the Municipal Corporation
Joseph C. Cove, Esq.,
Chapter 16 - Insurance Coverage for Municipalities
Deborah I. Ecker, Esq.,
KP Law, PC
Lauren F. Goldberg, Esq.,
KP Law, PC
Chapter 17 - Municipal Regulation of Telecommunications in the Public Way
William August, Esq.,
Epstein & August LLP
William H. Solomon, Esq.,
Attorney Solomon Associates
Chapter 18 - Public Records
Manza B. Arthur, Esq.,
Chapter 19 - Municipal Election Administration and Campaign Finance
Lauren F. Goldberg, Esq.,
KP Law, PC
Brian W. Riley, Esq.,
KP Law, PC
Michelle K. Tassinari, Esq.,
Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Elections Division
Exhibit 19A - Candidate’s Statement for Preliminary Nomination Papers in Accordance with G.L. c. 43, § 44C
Exhibit 19B - Petition Accompanying the Statement of Candidate in Accordance with G.L. c. 43, § 44C
Exhibit 19C - G.L. c. 41, § 109: Resignation; Notice; Residence Requirements
Exhibit 19D - Chapter 41, § 1B: Appointed Town Offices and Boards; Acceptance by Voters
Exhibit 19E - Chapter 225 of the Acts of 2000
Exhibit 19F - Chapter 126 of the Acts of 1998
Exhibit 19G - Chapter 5 of the Acts of 1999
Exhibit 19H - Chapter 32 of the Acts of 1999
Exhibit 19I - Examples of Appointed Official Attendance Bylaws
Exhibit 19J - Code of the Town of Chelmsford § 2-5
Exhibit 19K - Charter of the Town of Swampscott § 2-5A
Exhibit 19L - G.L. c. 59, § 21C(m); Limitations on Total Taxes Assessed; Determination by Voters
Exhibit 19M - G.L. c. 43A, § 10 and Sample Referenda Procedures
Exhibit 19N - Town of Southbridge Home Rule Charter § 11
Exhibit 19O - Town of Douglas General Bylaws Article I, Section 3
Exhibit 19P - Chapter 89 of the Acts of 1998
Chapter 20 - Streets and Ways
Stephen Bartlett, Esq.,
Foley Hoag LLP
Jeffrey B. Mullan, Esq.,
Foley Hoag LLP
Chapter 21 - Municipal Civil Service Law
Michele M. Heffernan, Esq.,
Human Resources Division, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Melinda T. Willis, Esq.,
Commonwealth of Ma, Deputy General Counsel, Human Resources Division
Chapter 22 - Bankruptcy: Municipality as a Creditor
John D. Finnegan, Esq.,
Hill Law
Robert J. Kerwin, Esq.,
Attorney At Law
Exhibit 22A - Common Issues Litigated with Municipalities in the Bankruptcy Court
Chapter 23 - The Conflict of Interest Law and Municipal Attorneys
Eve Slattery,
Chapter 24 - Municipal Code Enforcement
Andrew N. Bettinelli, Esq.,
Miyares and Harrington LLP
Donna M. Brewer, Esq.,
Miyares and Harrington LLP
Exhibit 24A - Application in Support of an Application for an Administrative Warrant
Chapter 25 - The Open Meeting Law
Thomas A. Mullen, Esq.,
Thomas A. Mullen, PC
Chapter 26 - Defending Against Challenges to State Statutes and Regulations
Eric Haskell, Esq.,
Middlesex Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Robert L. Quinan, Jr., Esq.,
Civil Service Commission, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Exhibit 26A - Tips on Drafting Bylaws and Ordinances
Exhibit 26B - Questions to Ponder Before Challenging a Regulation
Chapter 27 - Emerging Standards for Compliance with Chapters 93H and 93I
Linda M. Hamel, Esq.,
Massachusetts Health Connector
Chapter 28 - Land Use Regulations
Jonathan Murray,
Barbara J. Saint Andre, Esq.,
Community and Economic Development Department, Town of Medway
Jonathan D. Witten, Esq.,
KP Law, PC
Chapter 29 - Land Use Considerations for Cannabis Business Development
Valerio G. Romano, Esq.,
VGR Law Firm LLC
Checklist 29.1 - Steps for Identifying Potential Zoning Issues Relative to Cannabis Business Zoning
Checklist 29.2 - Steps for Adopting or Amending Unfavorable Zoning Ordinances or Bylaws Relative to Cannabis Business Zoning
Exhibit 29A - G.L. c. 40A, § 5: Adoption or Change of Zoning Ordinances or By-laws; Procedure
Chapter 30 - Eminent Domain Law in Massachusetts - Municipal Issues
Mark S. Bourbeau, Esq.,
Drohan, Tocchio & Morgan, PC
Jeffery A. Tocchio, Esq.,
Drohan, Tocchio & Morgan, PC
Chapter 31 - Massachusetts False Claims Act
Cassandra H. Arriaza, Esq.,
Chapter 32 - Unfunded Mandates and the Local Law
Sophia A. Apostola, Esq.,
Massachusetts Department of Public Health/General Counsel's Office
Chapter 33 - Professional Ethics
Christine P. Deshler, Esq.,
Office of Bar Counsel, Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers
Chapter 34 - What Access Do Employers Have to CORI?
Agapi Koulouris, Esq.,
Dept. of Criminal Justice Information Services, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Exhibit 34A - Summary of CORI Access
Exhibit 34B - Individual Registration Guide
Exhibit 34C - Organization Registration Guide
Exhibit 34D - Advocate/Attorney CORI Request and Affidavit of Indigency
Exhibit 34E - Attorney Request to Access CORI
Exhibit 34F - Model CORI Policy
Exhibit 34G - CORI Acknowledgment Form
Exhibit 34H - Complaint Form: Incorrect CORI
Exhibit 34I - Complaint Form: CORI Regulatory Violations
Exhibit 34J - Complaint Form: Improper Access or Dissemination of CORI
Authors
Editor(s)James B. Lampke, Esq.
Lampke & Lampke, Hingham
Author(s)
Sophia A. Apostola, Esq.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health/General Counsel's Office, Boston
Cassandra H. Arriaza, Esq.
North Grafton
Manza B. Arthur, Esq.
Worcester
William August, Esq.
Epstein & August LLP, Cambridge
Stephen Bartlett, Esq.
Foley Hoag LLP, Boston
Andrew N. Bettinelli, Esq.
Miyares and Harrington LLP, Wellesley
Mark S. Bourbeau, Esq.
Drohan, Tocchio & Morgan, PC, Hingham
Donna M. Brewer, Esq.
Miyares and Harrington LLP, Wellesley
Nancy J. Campany, Esq.
Murphy, Lamere & Murphy, PC, Braintree
Kathleen Colleary, Esq.
Retired, Division of Local Services, MA Department of Revenue, Watertown
John M. Collins, Esq.
Collins & Associates, Aquinnah
Marilyn Contreas
Melrose
Joseph M. Cook, Esq.
City of Northampton, Law Department, Northampton
Joseph C. Cove, Esq.
Christine P. Deshler, Esq.
Office of Bar Counsel, Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers, Boston
Ethan Blair Dively, Esq.
Miyares and Harrington LLP, Wellesley
Thomas R. Donohue, Esq.
Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten LLP, Boston
Deborah I. Ecker, Esq.
KP Law, PC, Boston
Jane E. Estey, Esq.
Horsley Witten Group, Inc., Sandwich
John D. Finnegan, Esq.
Hill Law, Boston
Arthur J. Goldberg, Esq.
Lauren F. Goldberg, Esq.
KP Law, PC, Boston
Linda M. Hamel, Esq.
Massachusetts Health Connector, Boston
Eric Haskell, Esq.
Middlesex Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Woburn
Christopher H. Heep, Esq.
Miyares and Harrington LLP, Wellesley
Michele M. Heffernan, Esq.
Human Resources Division, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
Robert J. Kerwin, Esq.
Attorney At Law, Newton
Leonard H. Kesten, Esq.
Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten LLP, Boston
Paul Myer Kominers, Esq.
Anderson Kreiger LLP, Boston
Agapi Koulouris, Esq.
Dept. of Criminal Justice Information Services, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Chelsea
James B. Lampke, Esq.
Lampke & Lampke, Hingham
Henry C. Luthin, Esq.
Brighton
Mina Makarious, Esq.
Anderson Kreiger LLP, Boston
Gregor I. McGregor, Esq.
McGregor Legere & Stevens, PC, Boston
Michelle Allaire McNulty, Esq.
Murphy, Lamere & Murphy, PC, Braintree
Jennie M. Merrill, Esq.
Miyares and Harrington LLP, Wellesley
Jeffrey B. Mullan, Esq.
Foley Hoag LLP, Boston
Thomas A. Mullen, Esq.
Thomas A. Mullen, PC, Lynnfield
Jonathan G. Murray, Esq.
KP Law, PC, Boston
Francesca M. Papia, Esq.
Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten LLP, Boston
Christopher J. Petrini, Esq.
Petrini & Associates, PC, Framingham
Robert L. Quinan, Jr., Esq.
Civil Service Commission, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
Brian W. Riley, Esq.
KP Law, PC, Boston
Robert W. Ritchie, Esq.
Formerly Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General, South Hadley
Valerio G. Romano, Esq.
VGR Law Firm LLC, Boston
Barbara J. Saint Andre, Esq.
Community and Economic Development Department, Town of Medway, Medway
Jonathan E. Simpson, Esq.
Brookline, Town of/Town Counsel, Brookline
Eve Slattery
Cambridge
William H. Solomon, Esq.
Attorney Solomon Associates, Haverhill
Michelle K. Tassinari, Esq.
Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Elections Division, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Paige L. Tobin, Esq.
Murphy, Lamere & Murphy, PC, Braintree
Jeffery A. Tocchio, Esq.
Drohan, Tocchio & Morgan, PC, Hingham
Melinda T. Willis, Esq.
Commonwealth of Ma, Deputy General Counsel, Human Resources Division, Boston
Jonathan D. Witten, Esq.
KP Law, PC, Boston
Ira H. Zaleznik, Esq.
Lawson & Weitzen LLP, Boston
