FILED ON: 8/10/2018
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4881
Section 92 contained in the engrossed Bill promoting climate change adaptation, environmental and natural resource protection, and investment in recreational assets and opportunity (see House, No. 4835), which had been returned by His Excellency the Governor with recommendation of amendment (for message, see Attachment C of House, No. 4884). August 13, 2018. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)
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An Act providing for a special commission to preserve and enhance Willett Pond.
Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to establish a special commission, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
There shall be a special commission to study and report on the feasibility of transferring ownership of Willett Pond and its appurtenances to the department of conservation and recreation to provide new public access for outdoor recreation and to preserve the species and ecosystem of the pond. The study shall examine costs related to the transfer, including transferring ownership at no cost to the commonwealth.
The commission shall consist of: 3 persons to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 3 persons to be appointed by the president of the senate; the secretary of energy and environmental affairs or a designee; the commissioner of conservation and recreation or a designee; the commissioner of fish and game or a designee; the chairs of the boards of selectmen of the towns of Walpole, Westwood and Norwood or their designees; a representative from the Willett Pond Charitable and Protection Association, Inc. or a designee; a representative from the North Walpole Fish and Game Club, Inc. or a designee; a representative from the Neponset River Watershed Association, Incorporated or a designee. The commission shall submit its recommendations, including drafts of any proposed legislation, by filing the same with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate not later than March 31, 2019.