Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
The MMA hosted a webinar on Aug. 6 with a panel of attorneys from the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association to address timely legal topics affecting municipalities. Speakers included (top row l-r) Kelli Gunagan, an assistant attorney general and director of the Municipal Law Unit, Ivria Fried, a partner at Harrington Heep, Sam Dinning, chief of staff and policy for the city of Boston Law Department; and (bottom row l-r) John Finnegan, an attorney with Hill Law, and Nicole Costanzo, an attorney with KP Law.
The MMA hosted a webinar on Aug. 6 with a panel of attorneys from the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association to address timely legal topics affecting municipalities.
Nicole Costanzo, an attorney with KP Law, provided updates on topics related to the cannabis industry, including social equity mandates, delivery, and social consumption.
Kelli Gunagan, an assistant attorney general and director of the Municipal Law Unit, gave an overview of recent changes to the law regarding accessory dwelling units and reviewed examples of ADU bylaw requirements, including dimensional requirements, parking and bedroom limitations. (All Municipal Law Unit decisions can be accessed using its Decision Lookup Tool.)
John Finnegan, an attorney with Hill Law, explained a recent Land Court decision in Leominster v. Corbett and how it impacts tax title takings and the calculation of interest.
Sam Dinning, chief of staff and policy for the city of Boston Law Department, discussed federal actions regarding immigration enforcement, the legal landscape in Massachusetts, and its practical application on municipal work.
“States and municipalities don’t have an obligation to affirmatively assist the federal government with immigration enforcement,” Dinning said, “but they also cannot interfere with or obstruct immigration enforcement.”
The Attorney General’s office has issued guidance on the topic, and Dinning recommended reviewing Section 3, on the distinction between public and private spaces, and Section 9, on what constitutes interference.
Ivria Fried, a partner at Harrington Heep, moderated 15 minutes of questions and answers, addressing inquiries regarding marijuana delivery, requesting identification from federal agents detaining residents, and tax title changes included in a recently signed fiscal 2025 supplemental budget.
• Accessory Dwelling Units – Office of the Attorney General presentation (930K PDF)
• Cannabis Updates: Social equity mandates, delivery and social consumption (600K PDF)
• Immigration Actions – Law Department, city of Boston (530K PDF)
• Legislative changes to tax title interest rate under M.G.L. Chapter 60; Effect of Land Court decision in Leominster V. Corbett, 22 TL 000447; and unclaimed excess equity (150K PDF)