[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6083041,"mediaKeyId","2935428-2b8344d231d35c1301a3d6a74bb165d2","parentId",2935428,"title","Cambridge lawmakers urge committee to allow lease reorientation for Riverside Boat Club","audioSeconds",147,"startMs",1769000,"endMs",1916000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2935428-2b8344d231d35c1301a3d6a74bb165d2&start=1769&end=1916","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2935428-2b8344d231d35c1301a3d6a74bb165d2/thumbnail_1769000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6083041/Massachusetts/Cambridge-lawmakers-urge-committee-to-allow-lease-reorientation-for-Riverside-Boat-Club","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083041-feaabdb3df387eeba328a59fe1176bda/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122849&Signature=ObDpoIfSMp7NWSrabfzSS8l5jiR780tn5uTMTAW4FpokT~EDZLg1LGPKgR4lc9vSlUmGxjAfohTTeOgxEHfRjzj29dxT1w27LCuvC~nkiWcUYpfvmkcxkm-D27OM1LjaeOWjxkRoCXUzEP03ZO45CNq8eWEjhwGak3vxmbU7u4zMJc0911GVOgPDFoV10KB-sV7dR5imDIbcHVxbnpZOHeOuiEocRngTbTU5Koccb1HYg-w~~pS8VXnOgq1m1XtSDw8sLkbOl3cg7pIAW2PTZgjTw3zMk2q6U3mZHS7A1fwg1ZraWMRAzpBxN991WwDRNuHWs0CO9oU11LxwiaIlpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Massachusetts Legislature","date","2025-04-09T00:00:00Z","article","State Representative Michael Connolly told the joint committee that House Bill H.3308 (and companion Senate language) would permit the Riverside Boat Club in Cambridge to reconfigure a DCR waterfront parcel so the club can better store boats and improve building access for local schools and community groups.

Connolly said the bill’s language has been approved by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and that the proposal does not result in a loss of public space. He told the committee the senate passed an earlier version of the legislation on July 30 of the prior year and the House Committee on Bills in the Third Reading had vetted subsequent edits reflected in the version before the committee.

Why it matters: supporters said the change would help a community nonprofit that provides rowing access and equipment storage for youth and school programs along the Charles River. Connolly asked the committee to act so the bill can move through the legislature this session.

What was said: Connolly described the Riverside Boat Club as “a community boat club,” said the DCR approved the language and that the reorientation preserves public space while improving stewardship. Representative Rayce (in the audience) said he intends to vote to report the bill favorably. No formal action or vote occurred during this hearing.

Ending: proponents asked the committee to advance the bill quickly given prior legislative progress in the Senate; committee members took no formal vote at the hearing.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight - 4-9-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Rep. Michael Connolly asked the joint committee to advance legislation authorizing a reoriented lease for the Riverside Boat Club on DCR land to improve access and equipment storage.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MA, Massachusetts","taxId",77682,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6083045,"Mass. lawmakers hear support for bill to transfer DCAM parcel in Brockton to Catholic Charities",2586,678000,3264000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2935428-2b8344d231d35c1301a3d6a74bb165d2&start=678&end=3264","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2935428-2b8344d231d35c1301a3d6a74bb165d2/thumbnail_678000.jpg","/articles/6083045/Massachusetts/Mass-lawmakers-hear-support-for-bill-to-transfer-DCAM-parcel-in-Brockton-to-Catholic-Charities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083045-a6201462de0f34fe508b660d5f791efb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122849&Signature=QSOGWu4MMWooEQVktV94ABcEkDnOVjuf-i7BmjybHtdDUaCraSdJoe61-oTWJEm0j7b643IRV0Sd1dI8PSF2fTyh0AX0nSyTlsXycBOvjUS63RfJ~YhXOCDadx0ABKqRCwJY9NzKBa2qn9ue2dv7zIA3UiMsQzMqLqcoqj32osEYXPEM35fEFI7KVb0eN8mv0XM~hKysD650eDJe3YB9ar9Gdaqr6UlQw1Usne9J0-4qoH4kAQT8SWnkOd4bWMKFszemOH-G-ZBRfqLrIPWMrlQKOxzXolshaBJXYefmw-V47at6~DicRjk0sR2xk7Mc0lrc7HX6FL81Pms1U4Th2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Representative Michelle DuBois, speaking for the Brockton delegation, told the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight that she supports House Bill H.3324, “an act to empower DCAM to release property in the city of Brockton,” and asked the committee to consider several technical amendments.

The bill would enable the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to transfer state-owned parcels on Crescent Street (the former Christos site) so Catholic Charities can build a mixed-use project combining community services and workforce housing. DuBois said one parcel proposed for transfer measures about 2.8 acres; the larger area under DCAM control totals about 6.8 acres.

Why it matters: committee members and local officials said the proposal could preserve local social services while adding housing and property tax revenue. Supporters described the plan as a way to keep Catholic Charities’ programs in Brockton, expand early education and workforce-training space, and add approximately 30 housing units aligned with local affordability goals.

Key details from testimony: DuBois said DCAM and local lawmakers met with agency staff the morning of the hearing and expect DCAM to draft amendments. She said the bill as filed contemplates transferring 2.8 acres to Catholic Charities for a “nominal fee” and placing the remaining roughly 3.2 acres into the municipal sale partnership program so the city can solicit redevelopment proposals; revenue from that sale would be directed to Massasoit Community College. DuBois estimated the Catholic Charities-led project at roughly $40,000,000.

Larry Mays, senior vice president for government and community relations at Catholic Charities, described the agency’s services and said the proposed building would include early-education classrooms and community program space on lower floors and affordable workforce housing on upper floors. Chris Cooney, president and CEO of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, said a UMass Donahue Institute needs assessment and a regional site-reuse study informed the proposal and supported mixed-use redevelopment.

Several committee members pressed for details. Senator Collins asked about prior state investments and the history of the parcels; DuBois traced earlier purchases, noting a 2015 purchase for roughly $1.7 million and additional demolition funded by a higher-education bond. Representative Gavin asked about which entity would pay property taxes; DuBois said PUA (the proposed development partner) would develop the housing and that details would be clarified by Catholic Charities. Representative Tyler raised concerns about ensuring the units are truly affordable; DuBois noted the bill proposes that 25 percent of units be affordable at or below 80 percent of area median income (AMI) and 20 percent at or below 50 percent AMI, and offered to follow up with the committee for more detail.

Discussion versus decision: the committee heard testimony but did not take any vote on H.3324 during this session. DuBois said lawmakers planned to file written amendments to change specific language (for example replacing a mandatory “shall” for a turn lane with a discretionary “may”) and to add the other parcel to DCAM’s municipal-sale partnership program.

What’s next: supporters asked the committee to report the bill favorably so the city and nonprofit can proceed with drafting financing and development agreements; no formal action was recorded at the hearing.

Ending note: witnesses submitted to the committee that Catholic Charities’ programs serve thousands of Brockton residents and that the proposed reuse of the DCAM parcel would combine social services with housing production.

","State Representative Michelle DuBois and local officials urged the joint committee to advance H.3324, a bill authorizing the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to transfer state parcels in Brockton to Catholic Charities for a mixed-use community services and workforce housing project.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6083030,"Residents and developers urge committee to protect DCR access and add egress for Columbia Point as UMass project advances",1074,3425000,4499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2935428-2b8344d231d35c1301a3d6a74bb165d2&start=3425&end=4499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2935428-2b8344d231d35c1301a3d6a74bb165d2/thumbnail_3425000.jpg","/articles/6083030/Massachusetts/Residents-and-developers-urge-committee-to-protect-DCR-access-and-add-egress-for-Columbia-Point-as-UMass-project-advances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083030-6cd39cab9c4ed45b45e48d8075902539/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122849&Signature=kHBy7kTR52pP52szoZKyLYVLf~iVTAz~LHaMnliSpCtp-WV8ixZTH~DtykBClC3OXo4de4vGCv2ZU6l33U1McWGZfJiorRKar-qCczUExkxnlOde7Njk8zhampJihZubHA7k~J8E67WWh0YMWRrSoG2sU0xaF8Y7m2350OI8O3rDtvbIIhcahmFmrwnv2Mm8EV~pWgwnrHcOzXMXpEdApUw3mrZRE0gxN93UMfiCW9aclpRFHSxVN0k3Q9tRW8xqZZN5vt7rOIdxryzEO8XKgfM8N1wbhPTCWSemW5PvjVbiDVe8CDlRE7tf5~M7m150QhkmcR~LXxeVqLoocD8hFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents of Harbor Point, developers and local officials urged the joint committee to act on legislation intended to protect public access to Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) land along Dorchester Bay and to address traffic and emergency-access concerns tied to large private development proposals on Columbia Point.

Orlando Perella, chairman of the Harbor Point Community Task Force, told the committee that Harbor Point’s roughly 3,500 residents (about 1,289 housing units, including roughly 400 subsidized units) need an additional access/egress connection from the peninsula to Day Boulevard to avoid gridlock and to ensure emergency vehicles can reach residents during peak traffic. Perella asked for legislation or agency action to require planners and developers to provide an additional route and said the UMass Building Authority (UMBA) has not responded adequately to residents’ requests.

Senator Collins said the committee should seek legal clarity—potentially an opinion from the Supreme Judicial Court—about Article 97 protections for parkland and whether easements and access over paved park property should be treated differently from grassy open space. Collins and other speakers criticized how the UMass Building Authority had handled prior community commitments and said prior legislative relief granting UMBA a nonexclusive easement had had unintended consequences for neighboring property owners and public access.

Developers and community leaders described the planned Dorchester Bay City development as very large (speakers referenced proposals in the multiple-million-square-foot range; one estimate cited “over 6,000,000 square feet”) and warned that current circulation and egress for the peninsula are inadequate. Several witnesses urged statutory protections to preserve public access and to ensure UMBA and other public entities coordinate with DCR and local communities.

No committee vote was recorded at the hearing; witnesses asked the committee to move legislation that would clarify public access rights and protect DCR easements and parkland.","Harbor Point residents, developers and officials testified in support of bills seeking to protect DCR access and require improved egress for the Columbia Point peninsula amid large-scale development proposals.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6083036,"Rep. Connolly urges priority for restoring Cambridge District Court space and access to justice",459,1775000,2234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2935428-2b8344d231d35c1301a3d6a74bb165d2&start=1775&end=2234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2935428-2b8344d231d35c1301a3d6a74bb165d2/thumbnail_1775000.jpg","/articles/6083036/Massachusetts/Rep-Connolly-urges-priority-for-restoring-Cambridge-District-Court-space-and-access-to-justice","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083036-1c996c700764d69f62805327eddb12d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122849&Signature=f5JiTfMJxSEOipfw26EJ~lsCfRQtfXWY-Xt-1I3pi-7Pq5SwjbxO9UkQ3I~Fhm-VPhoPXbIy5Z9xxNB8YUdLm8gE-gR8F3O5tXK-M5v9Mdg2aWVojg-iSXNH77DEt9-A~09NU0k9Mw3Ua-2eyXgzvPWzsLL7LNOvgQuZ2YTioS551fIOY6YufsSYSxBCVbWRLR0qHC4uKIe8ao77lrtkYUnEOJV1DJu-SbivC1XQTWjKtCxzoCpwsHSicnE3kiEFniImQHov2Hrga6ykFzXLyWgUyUemKHbZ0GkHxuUfBWQSG-XrnPT~6VvfQlUNVq~RpqVHrQ0Y1PtCSkUj2wGD8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Representative Michael Connolly told the joint committee that House Bill H.3309 would facilitate access to justice in Cambridge by encouraging the Commonwealth to prioritize trial-court needs when disposing of publicly owned buildings in the city.

Connolly described how the Cambridge District Court has sat in Medford since 2009 and said there is a vacant former probate and family court building in Cambridge’s Registry of Deeds that could be considered for court use or as swing space during future courthouse planning. He said he had consulted with the Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) and trial-court officials and that they had been receptive to considering the building.

Why it matters: Connolly and other supporters argued that returning local district-court capacity would improve accessibility for Cambridge residents and reduce travel burdens; the bill is intended to create preference or priority for court uses if the public property is disposed or repurposed.

What was said: Connolly noted possible regional planning for a Southern Middlesex Regional Justice Center and suggested the vacant registry/probate space could serve as swing space. He said the Commonwealth invested state funds to renovate that facility for use as an emergency family shelter in a recent episode, indicating the building has seen recent capital investment. Committee members asked about ADA compliance and coordination with the secretary of state’s office; Connolly said he had been in regular contact with trial-court staff and the DCAM.

Decision status: the committee heard the presentation and took no vote on H.3309 during the hearing.","Rep. Michael Connolly asked the committee to favor legislation that would give priority to trial-court needs when public properties in Cambridge are disposed, aiming to restore local district-court capacity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cambridge lawmakers urge committee to allow lease reorientation for Riverside Boat Club

Mass. lawmakers hear support for bill to transfer DCAM parcel in Brockton to Catholic Charities

Residents and developers urge committee to protect DCR access and add egress for Columbia Point as UMass project advances

Rep. Connolly urges priority for restoring Cambridge District Court space and access to justice