Matt Thomas has been providing municipalities with representation in various areas of Municipal Law since 1994.
Matt currently serves as one of the Town Counsel for the Town of Mattapoisett, Massachusetts where he is providing legal services to the Board of Assessors. Matt also has provided legal services relative to the development of the Mattapoisett Shared Use Path, a bike path on a former rail line, and regarding various municipal real estate matters.
Matt provides legal services to a number of municipalities relative to the negotiation of Payment in Lieu of Tax Agreements associated with the development of solar energy facilities. Matt has previously provided legal services to municipalities relative to agricultural preservation
Matt also previously served as Development Counsel for the City of New Bedford, Massachusetts from 1998 to 2002. During that time Matt:
- Participated in the development and supervised implementation of City of New Bedford’s Strategic Brownfields Showcase Redevelopment Policies;
- Was principal draftsman of the City of New Bedford’s Environmental Assessment Law;
- Served as Chairman of the Mayor’s Intermodal Task Force and was principal draftsman of City of New Bedford’s Intermodal Transportation Policy;
- Was principal draftsman of the City of New Bedford Eligibility Credit Program, a transferable development rights program that allowed development of supporting uses in New Bedford’s Designated Port Area;
- Was a contributing draftsman of the City of New Bedford Harbor Master Plan.
Matt also served as City Solicitor of the City of New Bedford from 2002 through 2005. During that time Matt:
- Was the principal draftsman of plan for redevelopment of the New Bedford Railyard and the restoration of freight rail service to the City of New Bedford;
- Participated in the development and implementation of policies that led to federal designation of New Bedford as a Portfield Pilot;
- Served as principal negotiator with the EPA, Army Corps of Engineers and Commonwealth of Massachusetts regarding implementation of the State Enhanced Remedy by which maintenance dredging is being performed in New Bedford Harbor;
- Served as principal negotiator with the EPA regrading implementation of Superfund Cleanup of New Bedford Harbor;
- Was principal draftsman of City of New Bedford Mill Overlay Zoning Ordinances pursuant to which vacant mill properties in New Bedford have been developed into loft style apartments.
Matt is a member of the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association and serves on the MMLA Amicus Committee.