SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 40E through 40J of chapter 7 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the commissioner of the division of capital asset management and maintenance may, in consultation with the department of conservation and recreation, convey in fee simple, for nominal consideration, a certain parcel of land, any permanent easements and any improvements and structures located thereon formerly known as the 1918 Whitehall Reservoir Dam and Gatehouse located on, adjacent and under Highland Street in the town of Hopkinton, accepted by the town of Hopkinton as a public highway on March 7, 1925, and the historic Gatehouse, its spillway and the former earthen dam under Highland Street, to said town for the purpose of operating and maintaining a public way,. Prior to any conveyance, the town of Hopkinton shall enter into a historical covenant agreement with the Massachusetts historical commission which shall be filed with the registry of deeds and run with the land in perpetuity.  Use and maintenance of the parcel, excluding the Highland Street infrastructures, shall be subject to the restrictions and provisions of the historical covenant. The exact boundaries of the parcel and any permanent easements shall be determined by the commissioner of the division of capital asset management and maintenance in consultation with the commissioner of the department of conservation and recreation after completion of a survey.  This parcel shall be conveyed by deed without warranties or representations by the commonwealth. 

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the town of Hopkinton shall be responsible for all costs and expenses, including but not limited to, costs associated with any engineering, surveys, appraisals and deed preparation related to the conveyance authorized pursuant to this act as such costs may be determined by the commissioner of the division of capital asset management and maintenance.