MMA, MMLA team up for municipal law webinar

The MMA hosted a webinar with the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association on June 2 to provide updates on three timely legal areas.

Greg McGregor, founder and principal at McGregor Law Group, gave a presentation on environmental permitting, energy, and housing developments.

As a result of the state’s 2024 climate act, he said, “We now have a regulation in effect where small clean energy infrastructure facilities, called SCEIFs, may opt into an expedited permit program where you all will grant the permits or not within 12 months of the application. … You may offer this as early as July 1, and you shall offer this by Oct. 1.”

McGregor also reviewed the aspects of the Affordable Homes Act regarding seasonal communities, accessory dwelling units, surplus land regulations, and updates for MBTA communities.

Cheryl Sbarra, executive director and senior staff attorney with the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards, discussed new regulations for cannabis social consumption establishments. These include three license types — supplemental, hospitality and event organizer — as well as other general requirements for each establishment.

Cannabis social consumption establishments must not sell alcohol or tobacco, must sell pre-packaged, non-infused food, and may allow customers to take unconsumed cannabis out of the establishment in an opaque, child-resistance sealed bag, she said.

Ivria Fried, a partner at Harrington Heep, moderated 15 minutes of questions and answers, addressing inquiries regarding what taxes apply to social consumption establishments, ADU parking requirements, and how municipalities can ban cannabis delivery.

• Environmental permitting, energy and housing developments presentation (PDF)
• Social consumption establishment regulations (PDF)