The MMLA Executive Board recently adopted a code of conduct for users of our organization's listserv system. Members are also encouraged to review the recent formal opinion of the ABA's Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Formal Opinion 511, regarding the Confidentiality Obligations of Lawyers Posting to Listservs.

The SJC has issued an opinion in Mack v. District Attorney for the Bristol District, opining on the scope of exemption (c) of the Public Records Law as it was amended in 2020 as part of the policing reform legislation, Chapter 253 of the Acts of 2020.

On April 26, 2024, the MMLA submitted a letter to Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll that contained comments on and a request that they return to the Legislature for amendment Section 4 of HB 4582, related to outdoor dining. This legislation was laid before them on April 25, 2024. A copy of the comment letter is available here.

The MMLA together with the Massachusetts Municipal Association submitted comments on April 25, 2024 to the Cannabis Control Commission regarding the Commission's "Model Municipal Equity Bylaw or Ordinance," which the Commission issued on April 11, 2024. 

Below are links to the materials from our joint March 13th webinar with MMA "Lessons Learned From EOHLC and AGO Preliminary Review of Proposed MBTA Communities Zoning":

3A lessons learned_3-13-24.pdf (Presentation Slides)

Easton Pre-adoption feedback 2-12-24_signed.pdf

Sherborn Pre-adoption feedback 2-9-24_signed.pdf

Wilmington Pre-adoption feedback 2-7-24.pdf

Topsfield Pre-adoption feedback 2-6-24.pdf

Danvers 3A Pre-adoption feedback 1-4-2024.pdf

Tewksbury Pre-adoption feedback 2-28-24 - signed.pdf

Sterling Pre-adoption feedback 11-27-23_Final.pdf

North Reading Pre-adoption feedback 2-23-24 signed.pdf

Canton Pre-adoption feedback 2-1-2024.pdf

Lincoln Pre-adoption feedback 1-12-2024.pdf

Salem - District Approval Letter 9-8-2023_signed.pdf

Lexington - District Approval Letter- 11-29-2023 SIGNED.pdf

Arlington - FINAL District Approval Letter 02122024.pdf

Scott v. Knox decision

Link to MBTA communities website sample bylaw: https://www.mass.gov/doc/mbta-communities-sample-zoning/download

Missed the program or want to watch it again? You can find it on the MMA website here. Thank you to MMA and all our panelists for joining us to host this program!

MMLA President Karis North recently wrote to several joint committees in the state Legislature regarding H. 4138, the Affordable Homes Act, a bill proposed by Governor Healey to address affordable housing opportunities and other housing concerns. MMLA applauded the bill's goals but raised concern with the impact of the some of the current language in the bill in eroding local zoning control. A copy of MMLA's letter can be found here.  

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.