Bill > H3413

This bill authorizes the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to transfer ownership of the Lampson Brook Farm in Belchertown to two nonprofit organizations at no cost. Specifically, the Jepson farmstead parcel will be granted to the New England Small Farm Institute (NESFI) with a historic preservation restriction, allowing uses such as offices, classrooms, and residential space. The remaining four parcels of the farm will be transferred to the Nipmuc Indian Development Corporation, including a commercial agriculture parcel, a community farm parcel, a forest parcel, and an enterprise zone parcel. The community farm parcel transfer includes a condition that existing leases with NESFI must be honored, and future leases must be at least 5 years long. The bill also stipulates that Commonwealth funds may be used to convert the enterprise zone parcel into Nipmuc farm worker housing. Additionally, the landfill site of the former Belchertown State School will remain under the division's control, with the option to dispose of the parcel while considering impacts on adjacent properties. The bill repeals two previous legislative acts related to these properties, effectively replacing them with this new transfer arrangement.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3413