<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto">Colleagues:<div>Please see this from MMLA (our town attorneys) regarding the site plan review bill in the legislature.</div><div> Best regards,</div><div>Jeff Lacy</div><div>Rural Planning Associates </div><div>(413) 230-9693</div><div><br id="lineBreakAtBeginningOfSignature"><div dir="ltr">Sent from my iPhone</div><div dir="ltr"><br>Begin forwarded message:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><b>From:</b> Karis North <knorth@mhtl.com><br><b>Date:</b> March 28, 2024 at 2:48:08 PM EDT<br><b>To:</b> mmla@massmunilaw.net<br><b>Subject:</b> <b>[ MMLA ] RE: Exec Board update -Legislative action request</b><br><br></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr">
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<p class="MsoNormal">One more all member update, with a request to consider action by you/your clients:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Site Plan Review bill, HB 3551, has been moved to third reading, and word on the street is that it could even be subject to a vote as early as next week. MMLA sent over extensive comments, which are supported
by the Bill’s sponsor, Rep. Kristin Kassner (we have been working closely with her). We put together a revised bill, which really should be substituted for the currently moving version. The current version is full of errors and issues, and is just not good
legislation. We would like assistance in doing anything we can to stop this thing in its tracks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">We would like you to consider sharing this information with your clients, so that they can reach out to their legislators. For their convenience, I have attached a copy of the MMLA letter, as well as a short
statement they can email or use to discuss the bill.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“An Act facilitating site plan review (H.3551) is making it way through the legislature and is currently scheduled for a third reading in the House of Representatives. The intent of the bill is to codify site
plan review by adding a new Section 7A to MGL Chapter 40A and all municipalities (except Boston) which would require them to bring their bylaws or ordinances into compliance with this new Section 7A. While there are some merits to the proposed bill, the Massachusetts
Municipal Lawyers Association (MMLA) has flagged a number of issues with the bill and has recommended changes be included if the bill is to move forward. To date, none of the MMLA’s recommended changes have been adopted. We encourage municipalities to contact
their state representative and urge them not to support H.3551 in its current form and to advocate for the changes proposed by the MMLA.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">We have also reached out to the MMA for assistance. The OAG/MLU is going to be doing a reach out early next week.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you all!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">KLN<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">50 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 410<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Braintree, MA 02184<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tel.: 617.479.5000<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Direct Dial: 617.691.1948<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fax: 617.479.6469<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:knorth@mhtl.com">knorth@mhtl.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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