HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4660

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, October 30, 2025.

The committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3352) of Steven S. Howitt and Michael S. Chaisson that the Secretary of Transportation convey certain parcels of land in the town of Norton, reports recommending that the accompanying bill (House, No. 4660) ought to pass.

For the committee,

ANTONIO F. D. CABRAL.

        FILED ON: 10/21/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4660

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act relative to a certain parcel of land in the town of Norton.

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to provide forthwith a conveyance of land in the town of Norton, 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:
 

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding section 5A of chapter 3 of the General Laws, section 20 of chapter 6C of the General Laws, section 7E of chapter 81 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the secretary of transportation, or a designee, may convey to the town of Norton for redevelopment purposes through a release deed certain parcels of land in the town of Norton, owned by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and taken for highway purposes pursuant to an order of taking dated May 16, 1973 and recorded with the Bristol northern district registry of deeds in book 1635, page 64.

The land to be conveyed pursuant to this act is identified as: (i) a portion of Parcel ID 11-16 to be determined by the secretary of transportation or a designee; (ii) Parcel ID 11-14-01; and (iii) Parcel ID 11-15, all on the town of Norton assessor’s records and in an order of taking dated May 16, 1973, recorded in the Bristol northern district registry of deeds in book 1635, page 64 and as shown on a plan of land dated May 16, 1973 in plan book 139, page16 recorded in said registry of deeds. Prior to finalizing the transaction or making the conveyance authorized in this act, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall determine the exact boundaries of the parcels following completion of a survey.

SECTION 2. The consideration for the conveyance authorized in this act shall be the full and fair market value of the parcel as determined by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s office of real estate and economic development. The parcels shall be conveyed in its present condition, as is, where is and with all faults, through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s standard form release deed. The town of Norton may sell or lease the parcels described in section 1 for redevelopment. Upon the town of Norton selling or leasing any portion of the parcels, the proceeds from such sale or lease shall be conveyed to the commonwealth to meet the full and fair market value of such parcels. 

SECTION 3. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the purchaser of the land shall be responsible for all costs and expenses associated with the conveyance authorized in this act including, but not limited to, all costs associated with any engineering, surveys, appraisals and deed preparation as such costs may be determined by the secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.