Archive for October, 2017
Posted In: Land Use
SJC Announces New Test to Determine When Public Land Falls within Protections of Article 97

In Smith v. City of Westfield, the Supreme Judicial Court broadened the application of article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution, holding that its conservation protections apply to any land that…
Posted In: Drones
Federal Court Clarifies, Limits the Role of Local Governments in Drone Regulation

Ever since FAA issued its first set of regulations regarding the operation of unmanned aerial systems (“UAS”, or “drones”) in June 2016, local governments have been left wondering what was…
Posted In: Zoning
Un-Neighborly Conduct: Adjacent Town Lacks Standing to Block Asphalt Plant

In the latest battle in the ongoing dispute over a proposed asphalt plant in Westford abutting the Chelmsford town line, the Superior Court recently held that Chelmsford has no standing…