Bill SD.825

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 825 FILED ON: 2/8/2021

SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1345

By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1345) of Vincent Lawrence Dixon for legislation to study establishment of, and definition of, a Middlesex Regional Commission. Municipalities and Regional Government.

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1195 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 to study establishment of, and definition of, a Middlesex Regional Commission.

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 to study establishment of, and definition of, a Middlesex Regional Commission.

1.) A Middlesex Working Group (MWG), to examine, and specify, the concept, and

recommendations regarding a Middlesex Regional Commission, shall be established.

2.) Whereas, it appears, and is substantially believed by many individuals, local governments,

organizations, and groups, that various undesirable pressures exist, and have been created in

many parts of, and much of the region, known as Middlesex County, made up of 54

municipalities.

3.) Whereas, it is thought that these pressures include negative impacts from what is

called overdevelopment: including reduction, and loss of wetlands, flood plains, watersheds,

permeable surfaces, open space, open land, in certain areas, insufficient development of public

park and recreation land, loss of farm, and other agricultural land; unplanned pressures on local

school district enrollments and budgets; and poor quality of construction, and infill construction.

4.) Therefore, this Act is established, to create a study group called the Middlesex

Working Group (MWG), to consider the creation of a generally beneficial, and supervisory body,

for the 54 municipalities, and people, of Middlesex County, to be known as the Middlesex

Regional Commission, composed of a variety of members.

4a.) The Special Commission, named the Middlesex Working Group (MWG), is

authorized, to be created, referencing the manner, among other reference points, in which the

Cape Cod Commission, has been established, and operates; to report back to the public, and the

General Court, in a timely manner of between 12, and 24 months.

4b.) The MWG shall be composed of representatives from each of the 12 cities, and 42

towns of Middlesex County. Each of the 54 municipalities shall nominate one representative.

Once this body is convened, it may consider also the sub-definitions of Middlesex North, and

Middlesex South, as either separate districts, or sub-districts of the contemplated Middlesex

Regional Commission (MRC). The MWG may also identify, recruit, and otherwise obtain useful

additional advice, testimony, and other consultation, as seems needed, and proper.

4c.) The MWG shall collect detailed materials, by Open Public Meetings (OPMs), written

submission, requested expert testimony, and other relevant means; and shall produce both a

Summary Public Report (SPR), and a General Report (GR), of findings, including appropriate

analysis, and recommendations for future actions, and the establishment of a permanent

Middlesex Regional Commission (MRC).

5.) The Middlesex Working Group (MWG), shall consider the definition of goals, for the

Middlesex Regional Commission (MRC) to include a wide range, including, in part:

Additional protections of the natural environment, including wetlands, floodplains,

watersheds, permeable surfaces, open space, open land, and agricultural uses.

In addition, particular standards to be encouraged should include, enhanced construction

standards, welcoming more neighborhood, and community friendly contractors; requiring

more durable and substantial forms of building construction, more environmentally

responsible design, including solar, geothermal, and other effective, and responsible aspects.

6.) There shall be consultation, and evaluation with, local municipal school districts, on their

expectations, for advance enrollment projections of at least five, ten, and twenty years, in

establishing potential trends for more fully services integrated communities.

7.) Regional housing goals, objectives, and standards, shall be apportioned across the regional

commission district of the Middlesex Regional Commission. The Commission goals, are to be

specifically oriented to support local community-friendly values.

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