Now that most have completed their Annual Town Meetings, it may be helpful to share techniques and processes that have been helpful in...

The Supreme Judicial Court recently held that an easement taken for one purpose may require additional compensation to the subservient...

Tax title foreclosure pursuant to G.L. c. 60 has long been scrutinized due to the fact that Massachusetts taxpayers are not automatically...

With the end of the pandemic, municipalities have been anxious to have certain COVID practices that made governmental operations and...

On March 7, 2023, the Supreme Judicial Court unanimously ruled that “civility restraints on the content of speech at a public comment...

Many towns have accepted the provisions of G.L. c. 48, § 42, commonly referred to as the “strong” fire chief statute, in contrast to the...

The latest buzz has been about the growth of AI, of which the one most commonly referred to is ChatGPT. What are the drawbacks of using...

Outdoor Dining and Alcohol Service Coming to an End Under Section 15 of Chapter 42 of the Acts of 2022, municipalities are allowed to...

Happy New Year! The Massachusetts Municipal Association’s Annual Meeting and Trade Show returns on January 20-21, 2023, as an in-person...

Early voting can impose an administrative burden on city and town clerks, particularly for smaller municipalities. Remember that pursuant...

In December, the Secretary of the Commonwealth updated the Guide to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, tightening the requirements for...

On December 9, 2022, the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) filed its final regulations for the Stretch Code, 225 CMR 22.00 and 225...

We are pleased to announce that Ivria G. Fried has been elevated to the partnership effective January 1, 2023. Ivria joined Miyares and...

We are closely monitoring two sets of regulatory amendments proposed by the Department of Environmental Protection (the “Department”)....

We summarized in our June newsletter the SJC’s decision in Tracer Lane II Realty, LLC v. Waltham, 489 Mass. 775 (2022), which dealt with...

In 2020, G.L. c. 40A, § 17 was amended to provide that a plaintiff appealing the grant of a special permit, variance, or site plan could...

The peers of our retired partner, J. Raymond Miyares, have recognized Ray’s impressive and lengthy service in the field of municipal law...

“The best test takers are not necessarily the best police sergeants.” With that opening line, a Superior Court judge ruled that the...

On November 17, 2022, Governor Baker signed Chapter 274 of the Acts of 2022, An Act Preserving Open Space in the Commonwealth. The Act...

Release by DHCD of Section 3A Compliance Model The Department of Housing and Community Development has released the model for...