The Commission on PILOT for State-Owned Land (SOL), established by Governor Healey through Executive Order 645, is hosting a series of listening sessions in July to solicit feedback on how the state compensates municipalities for state-owned land.
The Commission is eager to hear directly from municipal leaders, residents, and other interested stakeholders, and findings from the listening sessions will inform the Commission’s recommendations.
The Commonwealth owns more than half a million acres of land, including state parks and forests, wildlife management areas, beaches, and military training facilities. Because this property is exempt from local taxation, the state administers a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) program that provides payments to municipalities that host eligible state-owned land.
See below for the July session schedule:
- Marion Music Hall: Tuesday, July 14, 10 am-11:30 am
- Franklin Regional Council of Governments: Thursday, July 16, 5:30 pm-7 pm
- Holyoke Community College: Monday, July 20, 10 am-11:30 am
- Berkshire Innovation Center: Friday, July 24, 10 am-11:30 am
- Orange Town Hall: TBD (tentatively week of July 20)
Additional sessions may be offered in the future depending on demand.
Register for a listening session: Registration for PILOT Listening Sessions. Walk-ins will also be welcome, but those who pre-register will receive materials providing an overview of how the PILOT program works.
You can also use this form if you are unable to attend a listening session but would still like to share your thoughts on the PILOT program with the Commission.