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December 21, 2024 Clear | 19°F
The 193rd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Section 35BBB: Douglas State Forest Maintenance Trust Fund

Section 35BBB. (a) There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a Douglas State Forest Maintenance Trust Fund to be used, without further appropriation, for the long-term preservation, maintenance, nourishment and public safety of the Douglas State Forest in the town of Douglas. Any balance in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund, but shall remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years. No expenditure made from the fund shall cause the fund to become deficient at any point during a fiscal year.

(b) The department of conservation and recreation shall impose a surcharge of $1 upon each fee charged and collected for admission to and parking in the Douglas State Forest. The additional monies collected from the surcharge shall be deposited into the Douglas State Forest Maintenance Trust Fund. Expenditures by the fund for public safety may be made available to the police, fire, ambulance and emergency personnel of the town of Douglas. On or before November 30 of each year, the department of conservation and recreation shall meet with the board of selectmen of the town of Douglas to discuss the maintenance and safety plan for the forest for the next calendar year as well as the balance and expenditures from the Douglas State Forest Maintenance Trust Fund.

(c) An annual report, which shall include projects undertaken, expenditures made and income received by the fund, shall be submitted to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and to the house and senate committees on ways and means not later than December 31 of each year.