News Blog and Resources at Harrington Heep | Municpal Law Firm

Jul 27, 20231 min read

July 2023 News & Events

We are thrilled to announce that Bryan Bertram and Chris Brown have been elevated to partnership of the firm! Bryan and Chris are...

Proper Payment of Police Cadets Under the Wage Act

Miyares and Harrington, LLP

Jul 27, 20232 min read

Proper Payment of Police Cadets Under the Wage Act

Cadets who are employed must be paid as police officers.

Employment Discrimination and the “Cat’s Paw” Theory of Liability

Miyares and Harrington, LLP

Jul 27, 20232 min read

Employment Discrimination and the “Cat’s Paw” Theory of Liability

A supervisor unaware of a corporate policy of discrimination may still act unlawfully by terminating an employee consistent with that policy

Use of Public School Buildings for Political Purposes

Miyares and Harrington, LLP

Jul 27, 20231 min read

Use of Public School Buildings for Political Purposes

School buildings may be used for political purposes.

The Office of the Inspector General Reminds Municipalities to Avoid Bid-Splitting

Miyares and Harrington, LLP

Jul 27, 20231 min read

The Office of the Inspector General Reminds Municipalities to Avoid Bid-Splitting

Intentionally splitting purchases so as to be below $10,000 is illegal under G.L. c. 30B.

Miyares and Harrington, LLP

Jun 26, 20231 min read

June 2023 News & Events

We congratulate Ivria Glass Fried on her election as Vice President and Chris Brown on his election as Executive Board Member of the...

Sackett v. EPA: Massachusetts Wetlands Regulation is Unchanged

Miyares and Harrington, LLP

Jun 26, 20232 min read

Sackett v. EPA: Massachusetts Wetlands Regulation is Unchanged

Our readers may be aware that a recent United States Supreme Court Decision, Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, No. 21-454 (May...

Religious Uses Under the Dover Amendment, G. L. c. 40A, §3

Miyares and Harrington, LLP

Jun 26, 20232 min read

Religious Uses Under the Dover Amendment, G. L. c. 40A, §3

Section 3 of The Zoning Act, G.L. c. 40A, also known as the Dover Amendment, provides that zoning may not “regulate or restrict the use...

When Bids Must be Opened Publicly Under Ch. 30B

Miyares and Harrington, LLP

Jun 26, 20232 min read

When Bids Must be Opened Publicly Under Ch. 30B

A recent Appeals Court judgment in favor of the Martha’s Vineyard Airport Commission in Airport Fuels, Inc. v. Martha’s Vineyard Airport...

Miyares and Harrington, LLP

Jun 26, 20231 min read

Rapid Fire Updates - June 2023

Updates to the Inspector General’s Chapter 30B Manual One of the most useful publications for municipalities has been updated. Be sure to...

Proceeds from Tax Title Foreclosures – A Quick Take on the Supreme Court’s Decision

Miyares and Harrington, LLP

May 30, 20233 min read

Proceeds from Tax Title Foreclosures – A Quick Take on the Supreme Court’s Decision

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

Miyares and Harrington, LLP

May 30, 20231 min read

Rapid Fire Update - May 2023

Updates to the Municipal Records Retention Schedules The state imposes requirements on how long municipalities must retain municipal...

Valuable Updates from DOR Division of Local Services

Miyares and Harrington, LLP

May 30, 20231 min read

Valuable Updates from DOR Division of Local Services

The Division of Local Services (DLR) publishes throughout the year helpful data and guidance of interest to all local officials. Its most...

Miyares and Harrington, LLP

May 30, 20231 min read

Tips for Successful Town Meetings

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

Changing the Scope of Easements Taken by Eminent Domain

Miyares and Harrington, LLP

May 30, 20232 min read

Changing the Scope of Easements Taken by Eminent Domain

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

CLIENT ALERT May 30, 2023 Supreme Court Decision - Proceeds from Tax Title Foreclosures

Miyares and Harrington, LLP

May 30, 20233 min read

CLIENT ALERT May 30, 2023 Supreme Court Decision - Proceeds from Tax Title Foreclosures

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

CLIENT ALERT March 30, 2023 CERTAIN COVID RULES EXTENDED

Miyares and Harrington, LLP

Mar 29, 20232 min read

CLIENT ALERT March 30, 2023 CERTAIN COVID RULES EXTENDED

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

Incivility in Public Discourse Cannot Be Banned

Miyares and Harrington, LLP

Mar 20, 20233 min read

Incivility in Public Discourse Cannot Be Banned

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

The "Strong" Fire Chief Statute Does Not Confer Lifetime Tenure

Miyares and Harrington, LLP

Mar 20, 20233 min read

The "Strong" Fire Chief Statute Does Not Confer Lifetime Tenure

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...

ChatGPT and AI; Is Municipal Government Ready?

Miyares and Harrington, LLP

Mar 20, 20231 min read

ChatGPT and AI; Is Municipal Government Ready?

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...

How can we help you?

We are here for you! Do not hesitate to reach out by submitting the below form or giving us a call.

Stay Up-to-Date
by Subscribing

How can we help you?

We are here for you! Do not hesitate to reach out by submitting the below form or giving us a call.

Stay Up-to-Date by Subscribing

Stay Up-to-Date
by Subscribing