State-Owned Land PILOT Commission Schedules Listening Sessions Municipalities are eligible for PILOT payments from the Commonwealth for state-owned land that is exempt from local taxation. The newly-formed State-Owned Land PILOT Commission is holding in-person and virtual sessions to hear feedback from municipalities on how municipalities are compensated. The sessions will be in September and early October. Comments may also be submitted in writing. Further details are found

On August 10, 2026, Governor Healey signed S.3241, “An Act Regarding Free Expression.” The Act adds three sections to G.L. c. 71, aimed at protecting the diversity of reading material in school libraries. Under the Act, the school library teacher is charged with selecting reading material that is age appropriate, serves an educational purpose, and is not chosen based on the teacher’s personal, political, or doctrinal view. Included content cannot be removed except by vote of

Data centers are a source of countervailing political concerns these days. Municipalities are attracted to the potential jobs and new tax revenue, while concerned about the environmental impacts and the center’s need for significant amounts of electricity and water. One town (an HH client) recently passed a zoning by-law to regulate data centers and the by-law has been approved by the AG’s Municipal Law Unit. Believed to be the first such by-law in the Commonwealth, the town

Back in 2024, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed An Act Promoting a Clean Energy Grid Advancing Equity and Protecting Ratepayer, Ch. 239 of the Acts of 2024. Thereafter, the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) adopted 225 CMR 29.00, regulations to implement the Act. October 1 is fast approaching, the date by which every municipality must allow applicants for Small Clean Energy Infrastructure Facilities, defined in the regulations, to apply for a consolidated loc

Once again, the dog days of August are upon us. But that doesn’t mean that the law firm of Harrington Heep LLP is lazing about in sun puddles. We are pleased to announce that as of September 1, Heather C. White has joined the firm as a partner. Heather has approximately 20 years in municipal law, concentrating on procurement and land use, as well as a year as Legal Counsel for the Massachusetts Port Authority. Her expertise will serve all of our clients well, and we are confi