Over the weekend, Governor Baker signed a supplemental budget bill funding COVID-19-related items. The bill also addresses several other pandemic-related issues. Of greatest importance to towns are Sections 15 and 26, which give towns continued flexibility to modify their town
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New DHCD Guidelines on Multi-Family Districts for MBTA Communities
Long-awaited guidance for municipalities concerning how to comply with new requirements under the Governor’s Housing Choice legislation have finally been issued by the Department of Health and Community Development (“DHCD”). General Laws Chapter 40A, Section 3A(a) (“Section 3A”) requires that…
Federal Court Issues Nationwide Injunction on Biden Administration’s COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Federal Contractors
On December 7, 2021, United States District Court Judge R. Stan Baker at the Southern District of Georgia granted Plaintiffs’ motion to enjoin the Biden administration “from enforcing the vaccine mandate for federal contractors and subcontractors in all covered contracts…
Alexander Hamilton, Public Records Law Share Top Billing at the First Circuit
The First Circuit recently delved into a mustier corner of the Public Records Law in United States v. Letter from Alexander Hamilton to the Marquis De Lafayette Dated July 21, 1780, shedding some light on how the Public Records…
When it Comes to Pot Shops, Local Control Wins
On July 20, 2021, the Supreme Judicial Court confirmed that municipalities enjoy substantial deference in dealing with marijuana retailers applying for Host Community Agreements (“HCA”). In Mederi, Inc. v. City of Salem, the SJC affirmed the dismissal of a…
FAA Announces Additional Aid Available to Airports under ARPA

On June 22, 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) announced its process for distributing Airport Rescue Grants pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319, Pub. L. 117-2) (“ARPA”). The FAA is issuing nearly $8 billion in…
Governor Signs Bill Making Zoning Changes and Promoting Housing
Aid for Airports and the Aviation Industry in the 2021 Appropriations Act

Image by Alexey Hulsov from Pixabay
On December 21, 2020, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, H.R. 133 (the “2021 Appropriations Act”). The President signed the legislation on December 27. The 2021 Appropriations Act authorizes $2.3 trillion…
Governor Mandates Wearing of Face Masks in Public and Delegates Enforcement Authority to Local Boards of Health
On May 1, Governor Baker issued an order mandating that people wear face coverings in public. The order, available here, is the governor’s latest measure responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The governor is acting pursuant to his authority under…
Governor Mandates Wearing of Face Masks in Public and Delegates Enforcement Authority to Local Boards of Health
On May 1, Governor Baker issued an order mandating that people wear face coverings in public. The order, available here, is the governor’s latest measure responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The governor is acting pursuant to his authority under…