In the News
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly | March 2026
T.J. was quoted in Town of Hull v. Ferrara, a recent Appeals Court decision reversing a Land Court ruling on the derelict fee statute and its application to a 1885 Nantasket Beach subdivision plan.
"A lot of 'paper streets' do exist raising issues that often apply to beach access... The Ferraras still have counts of adverse possession and prescriptive easement pending. Massachusetts municipalities are generally immune from those claims but only if it is shown that the land is held for a public purpose."
Falmouth Enterprise | May 2024
T.J. represented families abutting a beach resort in North Falmouth, opposing a proposed expansion project.
Critical procedural concerns were raised including that the hotel's original special permit could not be located and was not recorded with the registry of deeds, arguing the project would cause property value losses for clients and other abutters.
“I’ll admit that I have not seen an application like this before where over the course of many years separate special permits have been taken out rather than modifying the original. I think that this board knows that when you can’t put a special permit on record, that is an issue.”
T.J. noted that the proposed structures would significantly alter his clients’ view of Buzzards Bay, and in some cases block the view entirely.
“When you take into consideration this proposal, it could end up to a six-digit reduction in property value,” adding that noise from the duplexes could contribute to property value loss, too.
Following the hearing the Falmouth ZBA signaled it was unlikely to approve the permit, the applicant withdrew.