The Massachusetts Constitution guarantees citizens basic environmental rights, including the conservation of open land. It also grants the Legislature the ability to transfer open land to local communities by a two-thirds vote. Between 1989 and 1998, there were 150 land transfers approved by the Legislature. Of the 150 transfers, only 32 sought to replace the land taken with other open land. Critics point to the transfer of 44 acres of MDC open space in Medford last year.
Opponents say the sale is another example of how valuable open space is being lost.
But backers and Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn said the sale allowed the city to build two new schools and reclaim a forgotten area of the community. Besides building a middle school and elementary school, the city is constructing a playground, several baseball and soccer fields and two basketball courts. The city is also spending a million dollars to help improve the river bank. In order for a city or town to develop conservation land, it would have to set aside an equal amount of open land somewhere else. The bill would also force municipalities to look at other options before targeting open space.