In continuing the process over the past year of ramping up our new website, we are pleased to announce that the City/Town Listing page, providing the identity and contact information for town counsels and city solicitors in Massachusetts, is back and has been updated. Check out the new listing here. Special thanks to Kathleen Colleary for all of her hard work to help update MMLA's information. We hope the public and our membership enjoy the restored access to this useful resource!

MMLA President Karis North recently sent a letter to the state Legislature's Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government regarding SB 2571, an Act Empowering Municipalities and Local Governments, outlining MMLA's position on this legislation, which provides for important changes to the Open Meeting Law, the Uniform Procurement Act, and for local zoning control of outdoor dining. 

On February 26, 2024, MMLA President Karis North (moderator) and MMLA members Susan Murphy and Donna Brewer, both go-to lawyers on the MBTA Communities Law, presented at a free webinar hosted by the Massachusetts Municipal Association. This webinar included a review of the MBTA Communities Law and discussion of key points related to the process and schedule for municipal compliance and enforcement for non-compliance. The webinar also addressed the distinctions between the MBTA Communities law, Chapter 40B, and Chapter 40R.

The presentation materials are available here.

On February 1, 2024, the MMLA submitted comments to the Joint Committee on Judiciary regarding HB1723 (S1137), An Act relative to legal advertisements in online-only newspapers. These bills would authorize the use of a new outlet for the publication of legal notices: online-only newspapers.

A copy of the MMLA's comment letter is available here.

On February 1, 2024, the MMLA wrote to the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight to communicate support of Bill SB 2069, An Act providing for alternative delivery of infrastructure projects.

A copy of the MMLA's comment letter is available here.

On February 6, 2023, the MMLA submitted comments to the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government regarding HB 2043. This bill seeks to amend Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40, Section 21D, relative to non-criminal enforcement of local ordinances, by-laws and regulations, by increasing the maximum fine amount and adding a new section, allowing the Court to assess a civil penalty and reasonable attorney fees against a defendant found in violation. 

A copy of the MMLA's comment letter is available here.

The MMLA recently joined with the Massachusetts Municipal Association, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, and the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents to send a letter to Superior Court Judge Christopher Barry-Smith opposing a request by the Commonwealth Employment Relations Board to order the Newton School Committee and the Newton Teachers Association to participate in mandatory binding arbitration. A copy of the letter can be found here. The issue ultimately became moot with the settlement of the strike on February 2, 2024. 

The Massachusetts Municipal Association (“MMA”) recently joined with the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association (“MMLA”) in providing comments to the Cannabis Control Commission’s (“CCC”) Model Host Community Agreement Template, that the Commission released on January 17, 2024.

The January 31, 2024 letter may be found here. 

MMLA past president Brandon Moss and Legislative Committee Chair Jillian Jagling presented a municipal law update to various municipal officials attending the MMA Annual Conference and Trade Show on Friday, January 19, 2024, with introduction and commentary by MMLA President Karis North. You can access the materials here or in the member's area. Jillian is Senior Counsel at West Group Law, PLLC, and Brandon is Senior Editor, Litigation, for Thomson Reuters in its Practical Law Service. 

Thanks to all who attended and special thanks to Brandon and Jillian for all your hard work in support of MMLA!

MMLA recently submitted comments in a letter to the Legislature's Joint Committee on Housing regarding HB 3551, codifying site plan review, offering its general support of the proposed legislation while recommending various revisions prior to final passage.