HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3744 FILED ON: 5/16/2011
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3456
By Representative Toomey of Cambridge and Senator Jehlen, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3456) of Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. and others (with the approval of the mayor and city council) for legislation to authorize the city of Somerville to use Harris Park for purposes other than a park or a playground. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.] |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the Year Two Thousand Eleven
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An Act relative to the relocation of Harris Park in the City of Somerville.
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. The city of Somerville, acting by and through its board of aldermen, may use for any lawful general municipal purpose, or sell, convey, or transfer a certain parcel of land in the city, designated as a playground called “Harris park”, located at 0 Cross street East in the city. Harris park contains approximately 15,482 square feet of land, as described in an order of taking by the city of Somerville dated January 27, 1972 and recorded in the Middlesex south district registry of deeds in book 12148 at page 329. The park is also shown as lots 1, 10, 11, 12 on block B of assessor’s map 89 of the city of Somerville, and includes an area of approximately 2,882 square feet next to Mystic Avenue southbound at highway I-93, not delineated on said assessors map. The current location of Harris park playground adjacent to highway I-93 has become unsuitable for use by children in the neighboring area because of excessive noise and poor air quality.
SECTION 2. In consideration for and as a condition of the transfer or change of use authorized in section 1, the city of Somerville shall purchase or acquire a parcel of land equal to or greater in size than 15,482 square feet and equal to or greater in value than the parcel described in said section 1 and shall build a new Harris park playground on said lot. The proposed future site of the new Harris park is shown as lots 14, 15, and 16 on block K of assessor’s map 89 of the city of Somerville, 15-25 Cross street East, and contains approximately 16,590 square feet of land, an area that is greater in size and value than the current Harris park playground lot. The new lot to be purchased or acquired by the city of Somerville shall be dedicated to park and recreational purposes.
SECTION 3. The board of aldermen of the city of Somerville shall take all actions they deem necessary or advisable in their sole discretion to carry out the transfer or change of use of land on which Harris park is located and purchase or acquisition of a separate parcel for a new Harris park to build a new playground as set forth in sections 1 and 2, including, without limitation, the execution of any and all documents relative thereto.
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon its passage.