February 22, 2008

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives:

          Pursuant to Article LVI, as amended by Article XC, Section 3 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I am returning to you for amendment House Bill No. 4325, “An Act Authorizing The City of Methuen To Lease A Portion Of A Certain Building To The Methuen Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union.”

          This legislation authorizes the city of Methuen to lease part of one of its properties, the Quinn Building, to the Methuen Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union.  Unfortunately, the legislation contains an incorrect citation: it exempts the city from section 5 of the uniform procurement act (chapter 30B), which establishes rules for bidding on supplies and services.  The accurate statutory reference would be to exempt Methuen from section 16 of chapter 30B, which establishes rules for the conveyance, rental or disposition of government owned land.

          I, therefore, recommend that House Bill No. 4325 be amended as follows:

In Section 1 by striking out the number “5” in line 1 and inserting in place thereof the following number:- 16.

                                                          Respectfully submitted,