Bill S.274

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 829 FILED ON: 2/8/2021

SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 274

By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 274) of Vincent Lawrence Dixon for legislation relative to Community Institution Stabilization. Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 217 OF 2019-2020.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act for Community Institution Stabilization.

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 Massachusetts General Laws are hereby amended by inserting the

following new chapter:

An Act for Community Institution Stabilization.

1.) When an organization, generally viewed as a Community Institution, resolves, and/or

decides to dissolve, and/or to dispose of substantial property, one or more individuals, being in

good standing, as members, and/or affiliates of such organization, and Community Institution,

shall be permitted to have the Right of First Refusal (RFR) , regarding the disposition, transition

of, and/or alternative programming uses, of certain properties, that are properly viewed as

Community Institution Landmarks (CIL).

2.) It is in the public interest to provide, and establish, certain opportunities for stabilizing

community institutions, and their memberships.

3.) An important aspect of the unique communities, and vitality of our Commonwealth of

Massachusetts, is the presence of particular buildings, churches, and other institutions, with

architectural, programmatic, and archival record resources.

4.) As a society changes, various organizations, and structures intersect with many

different trends, events, and other circumstances. It is in the public interest, to keep certain

physical, often iconic structures, and they often are protected by various historical designations,

and/or other opportunities.

5.) Just as certainly, the usages of certain of these structures, provide certain value, and

values, to local communities, and it is in the public interest, to allow reasonable change, while

encouraging certain aspects of stability. When many changes occur, they are often good ones;

but changes often can lead to unfortunate disruptions, and sometimes even social harm.

6.) This statute, is formed, to encourage, certain aspects of transitional bridging, in

communities, in ways that strengthen them, even in the midst of significant changes.

7.) Such Community Institution, and/or organization, chartered under the Laws of

Massachusetts, and/or in well-recognized operation for at least ten (10) years, shall, when such

Right of First Refusal (RFR) , is requested; obtain, and/or assist the obtaining of, a reasonable

assessed valuation, determining the value of the property, and/or properties, and also the

economic value of particular continuing programming.

8a.) A Community Institution, for the purposes of this statute, is, and may be defined, as

a building, such as a school, library, church, or structure which is iconic to many in the

community, and has held significant community services, whether educational, cultural, or

religious.

8b.) A declaration that a particular structure, and/or organizational programs, constitute a

Community Institution, may be made by a municipal body, such as a Board of Selectmen, City

Council, Board of Alderman, Town Meeting, Planning Board, or other relevant body; but need

not be obtained, if individuals, in good standing, from the Community Institution, have filed a

Community Institution Membership Right of First Refusal (RFR), with the local municipal

authorities, and the Community Institution.

9.) When such circumstances occur, individuals seeking Right of First Refusal (RFR), may

request the appointment of a neutral, non-interested individual, as a Special Community Trustee

(SCT), to determine, and facilitate the circumstances, continuing the use of the structure, and/or

its alternative potential uses. That Trustee shall have reasonable powers, to provide public

hearings, private, and transparent negotiations, and other reasonable roles, to permit the

evolution of the programs, and properties, going forward, in a community stabilizing manner.

10.) The Special Community Trustee (SCT) shall, in their considerations, and decisions,

prefer reasonable offers, from the Community Institution membership, and/or properly identified

members thereof, as long as the funding, financing, and economic viability of any such offer, is

verified, and certified. Such decisions, shall be publicly announced, and a written Decision

Report, shall be provided by the Special Community Trustee (SCT).

Name:	District/Address:
Vincent Lawrence Dixon	60 Lake Street – Unit N Winchester, Mass. 01890