Bill > H2358

This bill allows municipalities in Massachusetts to spend public funds on maintaining, repairing, and improving private roads under specific conditions. The conditions include that the private road must serve at least 100 residential properties that pay property taxes to the municipality, be the primary or sole access for those properties, have historical significance or longstanding ties to the town, and not already be maintained by a developer or private entity. Municipalities choosing to provide such services must first adopt a bylaw or ordinance that clearly outlines the conditions, scope, and process for maintaining private roads, including any spending limits and types of services they will provide. Additionally, municipalities must submit annual reports to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue detailing their expenditures and the number of properties served by these maintenance efforts, which will help ensure transparency and accountability. This legislation provides municipalities with more flexibility in managing local infrastructure while establishing clear guidelines to prevent potential misuse of public funds.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2358