AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS TO ACQUIRE A CERTAIN BRIDGE IN THE TOWN OF WALPOLE.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department of highways shall immediately take by eminent domain under chapter 79 of the General Laws that portion of Bullard street as laid out in Norfolk county in the town of Walpole which comprises the public way which traverses Willett Pond, including the fee interest in and to the bridge deck and attendant structures known as the Bullard street bridge, and the permanent easement interest in and to the abutments to the extent necessary to properly complete construction, for all purposes consistent with the emergency rehabilitation and repair of same for the safety of the public.
SECTION 2. The department of highways shall undertake and fund all necessary and immediate repairs required to rehabilitate the Bullard street bridge on behalf of the county, to the extent shown on undated construction plans entitled “MassHighway Proposed Bridge Rehabilitation Walpole Bullard Street over Willet Pond Outlet” which plans are on file with the department. The bridge is referenced as Bridge No. W-03-037 within the bridge inventory compiled by the department.
SECTION 3. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, no permit shall be required from any state or local agency or body in order to effectuate the necessary and immediate repairs contemplated by this act, and nothing within this act shall affect those structures known as the Willet Pond dam and spillway which shall remain under private ownership.
SECTION 4. Notwithstanding said chapter 79, no appraisal of damages shall be required before any taking by eminent domain for the purposes of this act. Any appraisals required for the purposes of this act shall be undertaken and funded by the department of highways.
SECTION 5. The bridge referred to and described within section 1 shall be named the Honorable George A. Sullivan, Jr. Bridge in honor of his distinguished service to the commonwealth as a senator and justice of the trial court.
SECTION 6. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved August 9, 2006.