§ 57-3 — Appropriation of glebe lands and church property

A. The glebe lands and church property, or the proceeds thereof held by the authorities of any county under the act of January 12, 1802, or under any other act, which may not have been applied to some particular object under a local statute passed for the purpose, shall be appropriated to such object or objects, other than for a religious purpose, as may be voted for in such county (at such time and place as the circuit court may prescribe) by a majority of the persons entitled to vote in the county for a delegate therefrom to the General Assembly, and, if no such object be so voted for, shall remain vested in such authorities and be appropriated by them for the benefit of the poor of such county; provided that the counties of Essex, Middlesex, Northampton, and Lancaster may use the "Glebe Fund," together with other funds, for improvements to the courthouse and related facilities.

B. Any county granted authority on or after July 1, 2004, to use "Glebe Fund" for improvements to its courthouse or related facilities shall use such funds exclusively for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.) at such courthouse or related facilities.

Legislative History

Code 1919, § 36; 1962, c. 101; 1964, cc. 33, 601; 2004, c. 595.