Section 5B. If money, goods or other property which has been stolen, lost or abandoned comes into the possession of a police officer or other employee of the authority by virtue of his office or employment, the officer or employee shall deliver the same to the person designated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to receive the same and he shall thereupon be relieved from further responsibility. If no person proves ownership of such money, goods or other property within 6 months, the authority may cause the same, excepting money unclaimed, to be sold at public auction at such place and time and by such person as the authority may designate. Notice of the time and place of the sale, with a description of the property, shall be given by publishing the same once in a newspaper of general circulation published in the city of Boston. The property, if perishable or liable to deteriorate greatly in value by keeping, or the value of which will probably be less than the expense of keeping, may be sold at public auction at such place and at such time within 6 months and by such person as the authority may designate, such notice of the time and place of the sale as said authority may deem reasonable and proper first being given. The proceeds of any sale, together with any unclaimed money, after deducting all reasonable charges and expenses incurred on account of the property, shall be accounted for and paid to the authority. If within 2 years after a sale, the owner claims the property and proves ownership to the satisfaction of the authority, the amount of the unclaimed money or the proceeds of the sale of the property, after deducting reasonable expenses, shall be paid to the person, without appropriation. Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede or to conflict with any laws pertaining to the handling of evidence in any criminal or civil matters.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Chapter 161a - Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Section 2 - Creation of Authority; Powers; Liability for Debts and Obligations; Service of Process
Section 3 - Additional Powers of Authority
Section 5 - Limitations, Conditions, Obligations and Duties of Authority
Section 5b - Disposal of Stolen, Lost or Abandoned Property
Section 6 - Ballot Question for Cities and Towns Regarding Issue of Joining Transportation Area
Section 7 - Board of Directors
Section 8 - Financial Assistance From Commonwealth
Section 9 - Financial Assistance From Cities and Towns
Section 10 - Financial Assistance From the Federal Government
Section 12 - Temporary Notes; Trust Agreements
Section 13 - Authorization for Authority to Issue Bonds; Purposes of Bonds
Section 14 - Bonds Secured by Trust Agreement Between Authority and Corporate Trustee
Section 15 - Bonds and Notes Issued by Authority; Securities
Section 16 - Rights of Holders of Bonds
Section 17 - Issuance of Interest Bearing or Discounted Notes; Bond Anticipation Notes
Section 18 - Insufficiency of Funds; Payments by Commonwealth
Section 19 - Stabilization Fund; Fare Stability Fund
Section 20 - Annual Itemized Budget; Supplementary Budget
Section 21 - Allocation of Annual Revenues in Excess of Expenses
Section 23 - Biennial Report by State Auditor
Section 24 - Exemption From Taxation
Section 25 - Directors; Authority to Bargain Collectively With Labor Organizations; Restrictions
Section 27 - Deceased Employees; Payment of Wages to Nominated Beneficiaries
Section 28 - Submission of Dispute Over Terms of Collective Bargaining Agreement to Arbitration
Section 29 - Mediation; Report; Selection of Arbitrator
Section 30 - Arbitrator; Requirements
Section 31 - Factors for Determining Arbitration Awards
Section 32 - Arbitration Awards; Written Opinions
Section 33 - Employee Deferred Compensation Program
Section 34 - Ira Plan; Employee Contributions
Section 37 - Proclamation of State of Emergency; Powers of Governor; Operation of Facilities
Section 38 - Liability; Board Supervision of Investigation, Settlement and Defense of All Claims
Section 40 - Electric Utility Services; Procurement
Section 41 - Electric Utility Business; Public Interest Factors
Section 42 - Notice of Violation of Public Smoking Law; Fine; Arrest
Section 43 - Liability Policy for Passenger Rail Services
Section 45 - Sale of Prepaid Monthly Transit Passes
Section 52 - Rights by Prescription or Adverse Possession in Lands Held in Name of the Authority