# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 1: Authorization

> Massachusetts · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S1

## Section

- **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 1
- **Heading:** Authorization
- **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MA Code / Part I / Title XIII / Chapter 80A / Section 1

## Text

Section 1. A board of officers, hereinafter called the board, upon whom authority to take real estate by eminent domain on behalf of the commonwealth or of any county, city, town or district thereof, hereinafter described as the body politic, has been conferred by law, for the purpose of effecting a public improvement, may, at its election, instead of proceeding in accordance with chapter seventy-nine, or in accordance with chapters seventy-nine and eighty if betterments are to be assessed, institute proceedings for the taking of real estate or any interest therein, and for the assessment of betterments, in accordance with this chapter. So much of sections two to fifteen, inclusive, as relates to the assessment of betterments shall apply only to proceedings thereunder wherein the board votes under section two to assess betterments and so states in the order adopted thereunder.

Section 1. A board of officers, hereinafter called the board, upon whom authority to take real estate by eminent domain on behalf of the commonwealth or of any county, city, town or district thereof, hereinafter described as the body politic, has been conferred by law, for the purpose of effecting a public improvement, may, at its election, instead of proceeding in accordance with chapter seventy-nine, or in accordance with chapters seventy-nine and eighty if betterments are to be assessed, institute proceedings for the taking of real estate or any interest therein, and for the assessment of betterments, in accordance with this chapter. So much of sections two to fifteen, inclusive, as relates to the assessment of betterments shall apply only to proceedings thereunder wherein the board votes under section two to assess betterments and so states in the order adopted thereunder.

## Nearby sections

- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 1 Authorization](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S1.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 2 Order of intention; contents](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S2.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 3 Order of intention; additional provisions; notice of adoption](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S3.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 4 Petition to take property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S4.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 5 Answer](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S5.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 6 Default judgments; appointment of guardians](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S6.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 7 Hearing; judgment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S7.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 8 Arbitration of disputes; appointment of commissioners](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S8.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 9 Redetermination of damages; procedure](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S9.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 10 Final adjudication](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S10.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 11 Abandonment or discontinuance of proceedings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S11.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 12 Transfer of property; interest transferred; payment of compensation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S12.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 13 Taxation of costs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S13.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 80A, sec. 14 Assessment of improvements; assessment lien; effective date](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXIII_C80A_S1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.