Newsletter Articles 2/10

May 302 min read

The Latest on Tax Takings and Owners' Right to a Return of Equity

Most towns are familiar with the tax taking process. However, the process as we know it is under scrutiny by courts and lawmakers...

The Supreme Judicial Court on Police Records and the Public Records Act

Harrington Heep, LLP

May 302 min read

The Supreme Judicial Court on Police Records and the Public Records Act

When and to what extent police investigation records are public records remain difficult questions to resolve. The Supreme Judicial Court...

Harrington Heep, LLP

May 301 min read

Rapid Fire Updates - May 2024

Outdoor Dining and Takeout Alcoholic Drinks Ch. 88 of the Acts of 2024, a supplemental appropriations bill, contains two important...

The Appeals Court Affirms the Broad, Discretionary Authority of Boards of Health

Harrington Heep, LLP

Apr 182 min read

The Appeals Court Affirms the Broad, Discretionary Authority of Boards of Health

Local boards of health have broad authority under G. L. c. 111, §§ 122-125 to eliminate nuisances within a municipality. In a recent...

The Appeals Court Highlights that a Request for Public Records Must Be Reasonable

Harrington Heep, LLP

Apr 182 min read

The Appeals Court Highlights that a Request for Public Records Must Be Reasonable

As public officials may know, many areas of the Public Records Law are based on “reasonableness.” In a recent Appeals Court case,...

A Reminder that Zoning Bylaws and Ordinances Must be Carefully Written

Harrington Heep, LLP

Apr 181 min read

A Reminder that Zoning Bylaws and Ordinances Must be Carefully Written

A company proposed to reclaim a former gravel pit by filling it with soil and other materials over a 7 to 9 year period. The Pepperell...

Harrington Heep, LLP

Apr 181 min read

Rapid Fire Updates - April 2024

Webinar on Surplus Supply Disposition Practices; Webinar on Community Preservation Act On April 23, 2024, the Office of the Inspector...

Public Officials and Personal Social Media Accounts

Harrington Heep, LLP

Mar 293 min read

Public Officials and Personal Social Media Accounts

In a rare unanimous decision on a matter of substantial public interest, the U.S. Supreme Court pronounced factors to determine when a...

Harrington Heep, LLP

Mar 291 min read

Local Regulation of Tobacco Sales

The state Tobacco Act, G.L. c. 270, § 6, sets the minimum age for the sale of tobacco products at 21. It expressly preempts an...

The Attorney General is Liable for Attorneys’ Fees Under the Public Records Law

Harrington Heep, LLP

Mar 292 min read

The Attorney General is Liable for Attorneys’ Fees Under the Public Records Law

In the course of concluding 4 ½ years of litigation, the Superior Court recently found the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) partially...

Protected Petitioning Activity Can Be a Violation of G.L. c. 93A

Harrington Heep, LLP

Mar 293 min read

Protected Petitioning Activity Can Be a Violation of G.L. c. 93A

While appeals of zoning decisions are classic petitioning activity protected by the state and U.S. constitutions and the Massachusetts...

Harrington Heep, LLP

Mar 291 min read

Rapid Fire Updates - March 2024

DLS Issues Informational Guideline Releases

Zoom's "AI Companion" Feature May Create Public Records Subject to Release

Harrington Heep, LLP

Feb 162 min read

Zoom's "AI Companion" Feature May Create Public Records Subject to Release

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, government bodies have seen a rise in virtual meetings through platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams....

Harrington Heep, LLP

Feb 161 min read

Town Meeting - It's the Little Things

The Annual Town Meeting can last for days. Even if the business is accomplished in one day, the long hours can lure attendees into a...

Harrington Heep, LLP

Feb 161 min read

Rapid Fire Updates - February 2024

Attorney General Presentation on Bylaw Review; DLS “Meet DLS” The Attorney General’s Municipal Law Unit will offer a review of the...

Important, Miscellaneous Changes to Municipal Finance Laws

Harrington Heep, LLP

Jan 173 min read

Important, Miscellaneous Changes to Municipal Finance Laws

The legislature has been busy updating some important municipal finance laws and some of these updates may have fallen under the radar....

Proposed Model for Host Community Agreements for Cannabis

Harrington Heep, LLP

Jan 171 min read

Proposed Model for Host Community Agreements for Cannabis

The Cannabis Control Commission issued as part of its packet for its January 11, 2024, meeting, a model Host Community Agreement. The...

Guidance on When Land is Designated for a Specific Municipal Purpose

Harrington Heep, LLP

Jan 172 min read

Guidance on When Land is Designated for a Specific Municipal Purpose

A recent case discussed what factors may determine when land has been designated for a specific municipal purpose. The determination is...

Harrington Heep, LLP

Jan 171 min read

Rapid Fire Updates - January 2024

Training to Increase Diversity in Procurement; Updated Open Meeting Law Guide and Educational Materials

Hybrid Meetings and Technical Challenges

Harrington Heep, LLP

Nov 30, 20232 min read

Hybrid Meetings and Technical Challenges

Perhaps your boards and committees are meeting again in person, but you would like to continue to offer the public an online link to...

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