House, Senate Pass North Reading Cell Tower Leasing Fund Bill

North Reading MA

13 January, 2022

3:04 PM

Description

The Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate have approved legislation authorizing North Reading to establish a special account for depositing revenues derived from the leasing of space on town-owned property to cell tower companies. House Bill 4020, An Act creating a cell tower receipts fund for the town of North Reading, was filed on the town's behalf by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). The bill was enacted in both branches on January 10 and is now on Governor Charlie Baker's desk for his review and signature. House Bill 4020 allows the North Reading Select Board to establish a special account in which to deposit revenues generated by the town from the leasing of space on town water towers and at the DPW facility on Chestnut Street to cell tower companies. The language contained in the bill was approved on a unanimous voice vote at North Reading's Annual Town Meeting. North Reading currently generates between $350,000 and $375,000 a year in cell tower leasing income and deposits these revenues into its General Fund, where they are customarily used to supplement the annual operating budget, although they can be used for other purposes. Local officials opted to pursue a home rule petition after the Massachusetts Department of Revenue recommended the town establish a dedicated fund for cell tower revenues to memorialize this recurring budget practice. House Bill 4020 requires all expenditures from the special account be subject to appropriation by a majority vote of Town Meeting. "This legislation clears the way for North Reading to create a dedicated fund in accordance with the recommendations of the Department of Revenue," said Representative Jones. "I'm pleased that Senator Tarr and I were able to work together on the town's behalf to secure the passage of this home rule petition." "Now North Reading will have an efficient, transparent and accountable way to collect and spend funds garnered from private cellular telecommunications businesses who choose to colocate cellular service equipment in the town," said Senator Tarr. "Representative Jones and I anticipate and welcome Governor Baker's support for the residents as well." Governor Baker has until January 20 to sign the bill into law.