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Bill would let farmers separate marginal land from Chapter 61A to host renewable energy without municipal right of first refusal
Summary
A bill based on the Massachusetts Cranberry Revitalization Task Force would allow farmers to separate nonproductive land from Chapter 61A protections so they can host renewable energy projects without triggering a municipal right of first refusal or a five‑year rollback tax, supporters told the Joint Committee on Revenue.
Representative (bill sponsor) urged the Joint Committee on Revenue to support a bill that would let farmers separate land from Chapter 61A to develop renewable energy on nonproductive, adjacent parcels.
The proposal, testimony and industry witnesses said, would remove a municipal right of first refusal prior to separation and eliminate the five‑year rollback or conveyance tax so farmers could lease adjacent land for smaller solar or other renewable projects without triggering forced sales or steep tax penalties.
The bill’s backers framed the measure as a targeted tool to help small and mid‑size farmers, notably cranberry growers, secure a supplemental income stream while keeping the core agricultural operation intact. “Putting renewable energy on, farm properties is a really important tool for farmers to…
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