Code of Massachusetts Regulations
220 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES
Title 220 CMR 50.00 - Uniform System Of Accounts For Gas Companies
GAS PLANT INSTRUCTIONS
Section 6 - Land and Land Rights

Universal Citation: 220 CMR 50.00 MA Code of Regs 6

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

A. The accounts for land and land rights shall include the cost of land owned in fee by the utility and rights, interest, and privileges held by the utility in land owned by others, such as leaseholds, easements, water and water power rights, diversion rights, submersion rights, rights of way and other like interests in land.

B. Where special assessments for public improvements provide for deferred payments, the full amount of the assessments shall be charged to the appropriate land account and the unpaid balance shall be carried in an appropriate liability account. Interest on unpaid balances shall be charged to the appropriate interest account. If any part of the cost of public improvements is included in the general tax levy, the amount thereof shall be charged to the appropriate tax account.

C. The net profit from the sale of timber, cord wood, or other property acquired with rights of way or other lands shall be credited to the appropriate land and land rights or clearing land account. Where land is held for a considerable period of time and timber on the land at the time of purchase increases in value, the net profit (after giving effect to the cost of the timber) from the sales of timber or its product shall be credited to account 421, Miscellaneous Non-operating Income.

D. Separate entries shall be made for the acquisition, transfer, or retirement of each parcel of land, and each land right (except rights of way for distribution lines), or water right, having a life of more than one year. A record shall be maintained showing the nature of ownership, full legal description, area, map reference, purpose for which used, city, county, and tax district in which situated, from whom purchased or to whom sold, payment given or received, other costs, contract date and number, date of recording of deed, and book and page of record. Entries transferring or retiring land or land rights shall refer to the original entry recording its acquisition.

E. Any difference between the amount received from the sale of land or land rights, less agents' commissions and other costs incident to the sale, and the book cost of such land or rights, when such amount is significant, shall be included in account 434, Miscellaneous Credits to Surplus, or account 435, Miscellaneous Debits to Surplus, as appropriate, unless a reserve therefor has been authorized and provided. Appropriate adjustments of the accounts shall be made with respect to any structures or improvements located on land sold.

F. The cost of buildings and other improvements (other than public improvements) shall not be included in the land accounts. If at the time of acquisition of an interest in land such interest extends to buildings or other improvements (other than public improvements), which are then devoted to gas operations, the land and improvements shall be separately appraised and the cost allocated to land and buildings or improvements on the basis of the appraisals. If the improvements are removed or wrecked without being used in operations, the cost of removing or wrecking shall be charged and the salvage credited to the account in which the cost of the land is recorded.

G. When the purchase of land for gas operations requires the purchase of more land than needed for such purposes, the charge to the specific land account shall be based upon the cost of the land purchased, less the fair market value of that portion of the land which is not to be used in gas operations. The portion of the cost measured by the fair market value of the land not to be used shall be included in account 105, Property Held for Future Use, or account 121, Nonutility Property, as appropriate.

H. Provision shall be made for amortizing amounts carried in the accounts for limited-term interests in land so as to apportion equitably the cost of each interest over the life thereof. (See account 257, Reserve for Amortization of Utility Plant in Service, and account 404, Amortization of Limited-Term Utility Plant.)

I. The items of cost to be included in the accounts for land and land rights are as follows:

1. Bulkheads, buried, not requiring maintenance or replacement.

2. Cost, first, of acquisition including mortgages and other liens assumed (but not subsequent interest thereon).

3. Clearing (first cost) the land of brush, trees, and debris.

4. Condemnation proceedings, including court and counsel costs.

5. Consents and abutting damages, payment for.

6. Conveyancers' and notaries' fees.

7. Fees, commissions, and salaries to brokers, agents, and others in connection with the acquisition of the land or land rights.

8. Grading the land, except when directly occasioned by the building of a structure.

9. Leases, cost of voiding upon purchase to secure possession of land.

10. Removing, relocating, or reconstructing property of others, such as buildings, highways, railroads, bridges, cemeteries, churches, telephone and power lines, etc., in order to acquire quiet possession.

11. Retaining walls unless identified with structures.

12. Special assessments levied by public authorities for public improvements on the basis of benefits for new roads, new bridges, new sewers, new curbing, new pavements, and other public improvements, but not taxes levied to provide for the maintenance of such improvements.

13. Surveys in connection with the acquisition, but not amounts paid for topographical surveys and maps where such costs are attributable to structures or plant equipment erected or to be erected or installed on such land.

14. Taxes assumed, accrued to date of transfer of title.

15. Title, examining, clearing, insuring, and registering in connection with the acquisition and defending against claims relating to the period prior to the acquisition.

16. Appraisals prior to closing title.

17. Cost of dealing with distributees or legatees residing outside of the state or county, such as recording power of attorney, recording will or exemplification of will, recording satisfaction of state tax.

18. Filing satisfaction of mortgage.

19. Documentary stamps.

20. Photographs of property at acquisition.

21. Fees and expenses incurred in the acquisition of water rights, and grants.

22. Cost of fill to extend bulkhead line over land under water, where riparian rights are held, which is not occasioned by the erection of a structure.

23. Sidewalks and curbs constructed by the utility on public property.

24. Labor and expenses in connection with securing rights of way, where performed by company employees and company agents.

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