BOSTON – The House of Representatives passed A Bill Clarifying the Enforcement of Fence Viewers rulings.  Representative Balser filed this legislation in response to difficulties encountered by a constituent in enforcing a fence viewer’s ruling.  The bill addresses a weakness in the system of enforcing decisions in boundary disputes. The legislation ensures that the fence viewer’s rulings will be enforced by making explicit that challenges may be heard in the district court in the city where the property is located.

Upon passage of the bill, Representative Balser remarked, “This is democracy in action.  In response to a problem by a constituent I was able to persuade my colleagues to change the law and make justice more accessible to the residents of the Commonwealth.”

A fence viewer is an agent of a city or town who issues rulings regarding property boundary disputes.  Current law directs challenges to fence viewers’ rulings to Superior Court.  Legal action in Superior Court is more costly and cumbersome than district court.  This legislation alleviates the burden placed upon residents seeking relief from the courts.

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