Bill > H3015

This bill simplifies the process for cities and towns to officially accept new public roads, known as "ways," by adding a new section to Chapter 82 of the General Laws. Currently, accepting a new public way often requires a formal vote by town meeting or city council. This bill proposes that any way shown on a definitive plan, which has been approved, built, and completed according to Section 81U of Chapter 41 (a section related to subdivision plans), and for which ownership has been legally transferred to the city or town, will automatically be considered a public way. This means cities and towns will no longer need to take additional steps, like a separate vote, to accept these roads as public, as if they had been formally laid out and accepted through traditional procedures.