On November 20, 2024, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed the “Act relative to strengthening Massachusetts’ economic leadership.” Also known as the “Mass Leads Act”, this comprehensive economic development bill includes provisions to again extend the life of many types of land use permits issued by municipal, regional, and state government.
Massachusetts recently enacted a new housing statute that makes it easier for homeowners to create accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on their residential properties. These commonly were called “in-law apartments” but the new law allows much more.
A commonly asked question and a conundrum for many is whether and how a conservation commission can approve a project under the state Wetlands Protection Act, G.L. c. 131, § 40 (the “WPA” or “Act”), while at the same time disapprove the project under a local wetlands protection bylaw or ordinance.
Firm senior partner Gregor I. McGregor and firm associate Caroline E. Smith this fall presented our Environmental Law Update 2024 to the Real Estate Bar Association (REBA) and Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association (MMLA) at their annual meetings.
On June 28, 2024, the United States Supreme Court overturned Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, 467 U.S. 837, 104 S. Ct. 2778 (1984). The case is Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, 144 S. Ct. 2244 (2024)
Firm principal Gregor I. McGregor on May 22, 2024 presented his PowerPoint survey of important legal developments at the Annual Municipal Law Conference co-hosted by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (MCLE) and Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association (MMLA).
This year's program of the MMLA - "Stay Out of the Trenches - Avoiding Traps at Every Phase of Your Public Construction Project,” is designed for municipal and state legal counsel involved in any and all aspects of public works projects.
Gregor I. McGregor, Esq., founding partner, McGregor Legere & Stevens PC, will present an online webinar on the U.S. Constitution’s Takings Clause and 100 years of the Pennsylvania Coal v. Mahon doctrine.
EPA in April listed two ubiquitous “forever” PFAS chemicals -PFOA and PFOS- as hazardous substances under Superfund (CERCLA), triggering reporting, testing, cleanup, and monitoring responsibilities for arrangers, transporters, treaters, disposers and other Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs), including manufacturers, users, and property owners under Superfund’s strict, joint and several, and retroactive liability.
On the state level, the new Massachusetts Climate Law, An Act Creating a Next-generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy, set ambitious statewide limits on emissions to achieve net zero by 2050. With interim emissions reduction goals, this new statute should revitalize the need for quick climate solutions and collaborative processes across all sectors.
On February 15, 2024, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) published Massachusetts’ first-ever “Environmental Justice Strategy” (EJ Strategy).1 This EJ Strategy comes as a result of the Commonwealth’s 2021 Environmental Justice Policy, which directed all EEA agencies to develop their own environmental justice (EJ) strategies.2
In early January 2023 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed decision to reconsider the standards on fine particulate matter, commonly referred to as PM2.5, under the Federal Clean Air Act’s (CAA) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).1
Partner in the firm Nathanial Stevens will present, with other experts, a workshop on the science and analyses used to evaluate artificial turf field projects in and near wetland resource areas and buffer zones.
For several years, firm partner Nathaniel Stevens has taught Unit 201 of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions’ certification program, which is a popular workshop entitled “Getting Home Before Midnight: How to Run an Effective Meeting.”
Gregor I. McGregor, Esq., the founding partner of the environmental, land use, and real estate law firm of McGregor Legere & Stevens PC in Boston, will present his short treatise called “Boundaries” to the Massachusetts Association of Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers (MALSCE)
Firm senior partner Gregor I. McGregor and wetlands and open space expert Michele Grzenda have teamed up to present a Q&A workshop at the Annual Environmental Conference (AEC) of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC).
Tyler owned a condominium that accumulated about $15,000 in unpaid real estate taxes along with interest and penalties. The County seized and sold it for $40,000, keeping the $25,000 excess over Tyler's tax debt, as per a state statute.
An important Supreme Judicial Court decision, Carroll v. Select Board of Norwell (SJC-13410, January 5, 2024) upheld the Town of Norwell's designation of land for affordable housing purposes and rejected an attempt by residents to transfer the property to another purpose without the Select Board's determination under G.L. c. 40, Section 15A that the land was no longer needed for affordable housing purposes.
Annually the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly publication, the legal newspaper of record for practicing attorneys, selects leading lawyers to recognize in an important field of law. For 2023 the subject was Environmental/Energy and our firm founder and senior partner Gregor I. McGregor was so honored.
In January 2023 MassDEP proposed a comprehensive suite of new regulations to deal with climate change in the form of storms, flooding, and sea level rise. These are expected to be promulgated during 2024. They will affect three related regulatory and policy programs. The opportunity for the public to comment is open through February. Where and how to send your comments are specified by MassDEP.
The Takings Clause of the United States Constitution and court cases since Pennsylvania Coal v. Mahon (1922) are a check on governmental power which the Due Process and Contracts Clauses used to serve.
Gregor I. McGregor, Esq. of McGregor Legere Stevens PC on November 15 will present on Local Climate Action to the Massachusetts Society of Municipal Conservation Professionals (MSMCP).
Calculate When Your Permits Expire If Issued Before or During the Covid Emergency: 462 Extra Days?
What the Lifting of the COVID-19 State of Emergency in Massachusetts Will Mean for Boards and Commissions
Legislature Revises Local and Regional Permitting Deadlines as COVID-19 Pandemic Continues
MassDEP and EPA Guidance on Waste Site Cleanups and Compliance during COVID-19 Emergency: Some Flexibility but Important Deadlines and On-Site Obligations Still Apply
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