2017 Massachusetts General Laws
PART I ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
TITLE VII CITIES, TOWNS AND DISTRICTS
Chapter 44B COMMUNITY PRESERVATION
Section 15 Tort liability for destruction of real property purchased with funds from chapter
Section 15. (a) A person who, without permission, knowingly carries away or steals, mutilates, destroys, damages, causes to be damaged or cuts any tree, shrub, grass or any other portion of real property purchased by a city or town with funds derived from this chapter shall be liable to the city or town in tort for such actions.
(b) Damages, including punitive damages for willful or wanton violation of this chapter or any rule or regulation issued or adopted hereunder, may be recovered in a civil action brought by the city or town or, upon request of the city or town, by the attorney general. The city or town or, upon request of the city or town, the attorney general, may bring an action for injunctive relief against any person violating this chapter or any rule or regulation issued hereunder. The superior court shall have jurisdiction to enjoin violations, to award damages and to grant such further relief as it may deem appropriate.
(c) Any damages, penalties, costs or interest thereon recovered pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Community Preservation Fund of the city or town in which the violation occurred.
