Exhibit 3.4
HRPT PROPERTIES
TRUST
COMMONWEALTH
REIT
(formerly known as HRPT
Properties Trust, which was formerly known as Health and
Retirement Properties Trust)
Third Amendment and Restatement of
Declaration of Trust
October 9, 1986
As Amended and Restated on July 1, 1994
and Amended July 9, 1996
and Amended March 3, 1997
and Amended May 26, 1998
and Amended July 1, 1998
and Amended June 16, 2003
and Amended January 2, 2004
and Amended March 16, 2005
and Amended September 12, 2005
and Amended May 24,
2006
and Amended December 29,
2006
and Amended May 15,
2007
and Amended October 16,
2007
and Amended May 14,
2009
and Amended April 15,
2010
and Amended June 30,
2010
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ARTICLE I. THE TRUST;
DEFINITIONS
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3
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1.1. Name
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3
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1.2. Places of Business
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4
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1.3. Nature of Trust
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4
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1.4. Definitions
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4
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ARTICLE II. TRUSTEES
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6
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2.1. Number, Term of Office and
Qualifications of Trustees
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6
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2.2. Compensation and Other
Remuneration
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7
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2.3. Resignation, Removal and Death
of Trustees
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7
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2.4. Vacancies
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7
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2.5. Successor and Additional
Trustees
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8
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2.6. Actions by Trustees
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8
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2.7. Certification of Changes in
Trustees
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8
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2.8. Committees
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8
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ARTICLE III. TRUSTEES’
POWERS
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8
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3.1. Power and Authority of
Trustees
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8
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3.2. Specific Powers and
Authority
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9
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3.3. Bylaws
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11
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ARTICLE IV. ADVISOR
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11
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4.1. Employment of
Advisor
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11
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4.2. Term
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11
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4.3. Other Activities of
Advisor
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11
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4.4. Advisor Compensation
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12
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4.5. Annual Total Operating
Expenses
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12
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ARTICLE V. INVESTMENT POLICY
AND POLICIES WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN DISTRIBUTIONS TO
SHAREHOLDERS
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13
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5.1. Statement of Policy
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13
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5.2. Prohibited Investments and
Activities
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13
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5.3. Appraisals
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14
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5.4. Change in Investment
Policies
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14
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ARTICLE VI. THE SHARES AND
SHAREHOLDERS
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14
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6.1. Description of
Shares
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14
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6.2. Certificates
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15
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6.3. Fractional Shares
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15
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6.4. Legal Ownership of Trust
Estate
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15
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6.5. Shares Deemed Personal
Property
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16
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6.6. Share Record; Issuance and
Transferability of Shares
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16
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6.7. Dividends or Distributions to
Shareholders
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16
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6.8. Transfer Agent, Dividend
Disbursing Agent and Registrar
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16
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6.9. Shareholders’
Meetings
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16
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6.10. Proxies
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17
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6.11. [Reserved.]
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17
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6.12. Fixing Record Date
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17
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6.13. Notice to
Shareholders
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17
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6.14. Shareholders’
Disclosure: Trustees’ Right to Refuse to Transfer Shares;
Limitation on Holdings; Redemption of Shares
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17
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6.15. Special Voting Requirements
for Certain Business Combinations
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19
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ARTICLE VII. LIABILITY OF
TRUSTEES, SHAREHOLDERS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS, AND OTHER
MATTERS
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19
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7.1. Limitation of Liability of
Shareholders, Trustees, Officers, Employees and Agents for
Obligations of the Trust
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19
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7.2. Express Exculpatory Clauses and
Instruments
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20
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7.3. Limitation of Liability of
Trustees Officers Employees and Agents to the Trust and to
Shareholders for Acts
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and Omissions
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20
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7.4. Indemnification and
Reimbursement of Trustees, Officers, Employees and
Agents
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20
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7.5. Certain Definitions
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21
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7.6. Indemnification and
Reimbursement of Shareholders
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21
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7.7. Right of Trustees, Officers,
Employees and Agents to Own Shares or Other Property and to Engage
in Other Business
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21
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7.8. Transactions Between Trustees,
Officers, Employees or Agents and the Trust
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21
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7.9. Independent Counsel
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22
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7.10. Persons Dealing with Trustees,
Officers, Employees or Agents
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22
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7.11. Reliance
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22
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7.12. Indemnification of the
Trust
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22
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ARTICLE VIII. DURATION,
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF TRUST
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23
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8.1. Duration of Trust
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23
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8.2. Termination of Trust
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23
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8.3. Amendment Procedure
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23
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8.4. Amendments Effective
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23
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8.5. Transfer to
Successor
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23
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ARTICLE IX.
MISCELLANEOUS
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24
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9.1. Applicable Law
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24
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9.2. Index and Headings for
Reference Only
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24
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9.3. Successors in
Interest
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24
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9.4. Inspection of
Records
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24
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9.5. Counterparts
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24
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9.6. Provisions of the Trust in
Conflict with Law or Regulations: Severability
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24
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9.7. Certifications
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24
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ii
THIRD AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF
DECLARATION OF TRUST OF HRPT PROPERTIES TRUST
COMMONWEALTH REIT
( formerly known as HRPT
Properties Trust, which was formerly known as Health and
Retirement Properties Trust)
Dated October 9, 1986
As Amended and Restated on July 1, 1994
and as Amended July 9, 1996
and Amended March 3, 1997
and Amended May 26, 1998
and Amended July 1, 1998
and Amended June 16, 2003
and Amended January 2, 2004
and Amended March 16, 2005
and Amended September 12, 2005
and Amended May 24,
2006
and Amended on December 29,
2006
and Amended May 15,
2007
and Amended October 16,
2007
and Amended May 14, 2009
and Amended April 15, 2010
and Amended June 30,
2010
The Declaration of Health and
Rehabilitation Properties Trust (the “Trust”), as filed
with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation on
October 9, 1986 and as amended on September 27, 1987,
July 23, 1992, and July 30, 1993 (the
“Declaration”), is hereby amended and restated as
follows:
DECLARATION OF TRUST made as of the
date set forth above by the undersigned Trustees.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to
create a trust for the principal purpose of investing in real
property and interests therein; and
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire that
such trust qualify as a “real estate investment trust”
under the REIT Provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, and under
Title 8 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the
Annotated Code of Maryland; and
WHEREAS, in furtherance of such
purpose the Trustees intend to acquire certain real property and
interests therein and to hold, manage and dispose of all such
property as Trustees in the manner hereinafter stated;
and
WHEREAS, it is proposed that the
beneficial interest in the Trust be divided into transferable
Shares of Beneficial Interest, evidenced by certificates therefore,
as hereinafter provided;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed
and declared that the Trustees will hold any and all property of
every type and description which they are acquiring or may
hereafter acquire as Trustees, together with the proceeds thereof,
in trust, to manage and dispose of the same for the benefit of the
holders from time to time of the Shares of Beneficial Interest
being issued and to be issued hereunder in the manner and subject
to the stipulations contained herein.
ARTICLE I.
THE TRUST; DEFINITIONS
1.1.
Name. The name of the Trust created by this
Declaration of Trust shall be “ HRPT Properties Trust
CommonWealth REIT ” and so far as may be practicable
the Trustees shall conduct the Trust’s activities, execute
all documents and sue or be sued under that name, which name (and
the word “Trust” wherever used in this Declaration of
Trust, except where the context otherwise requires) shall refer to
the Trustees collectively but not individually or personally nor to
the officers, agents, employees or Shareholders of the Trust or of
such Trustees. The Trustees may, at any time, without any
action by the Shareholders, amend the Declaration of Trust to
change the name of the Trust.
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1.2.
Places of Business. The Trust shall maintain an
office in Maryland at CT Corporation or such other place in
Maryland as the Trustees may determine from time to time. The
Resident Agent of the Trust at such office shall be The Corporation
Trust Incorporated, 32 South Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21202.
The Trust may change such Resident Agent from time to time as the
Trustees shall determine. The Trust may have such other offices or
places of business within or without the State of Maryland as the
Trustees may from time to time determine.
1.3.
Nature of Trust. The Trust shall be a real estate
investment trust within the meaning of Title 8 of the Corporations
and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. It
is also intended that the Trust shall carry on a business as a
“real estate investment trust” as described in the REIT
Provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The Trust is not intended
to be, shall not be deemed to be, and shall not be treated as a
general partnership, limited partnership, joint venture,
corporation or joint stock company (but nothing herein shall
preclude the Trust from being treated for tax purposes as an
association under the Internal Revenue Code) nor shall the Trustees
or Shareholders or any of them for any purpose be, nor be deemed to
be, nor be treated in any way whatsoever to be, liable or
responsible hereunder as partners or joint venturers. The
relationship of the Shareholders to the Trustees shall be solely
that of beneficiaries of the Trust in accordance with the rights
conferred upon them by this Declaration.
1.4.
Definitions. The terms defined in this
Section 1.4., wherever used in this Declaration, shall, unless
the context otherwise requires, have the respective meanings
hereinafter specified. Whenever the singular number is used in this
Declaration and when permitted by the context, the same shall
include the plural, and the masculine gender shall include the
feminine and neuter genders, and vice versa. Where applicable,
calculations to be made pursuant to any such definition shall be
made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as
in effect from time to time except as otherwise provided in such
definition.
(a)
Advisor. “Advisor” shall mean the Person
employed by the Trustees in accordance with the provisions of
Article IV.
(b)
Affiliate. “Affiliate” shall mean, as to
any Person, (i) any other Person directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by or under common control with such
Person, (ii) any other Person that owns beneficially, directly
or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding capital
stock, shares or equity interests of such Person, or (iii) any
officer, director, employee, general partner or trustee of such
Person or of any Person controlling, controlled by or under common
control with such Person (excluding trustees who are not otherwise
an Affiliate of such Person).
(c)
Affiliated Trustee. “Affiliated Trustee”
shall mean a Trustee who is not an Independent Trustee.
(d)
Annual Meeting of Shareholders. “Annual Meeting
of Shareholders” shall mean the meeting described in the
first sentence of Section 6.9.
(e)
Annual Report. “Annual Report” shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 6.11(a).
(f)
Average Invested Real Estate Assets. “Average
Invested Real Estate Assets” for any period shall mean the
average of the aggregate book value of the consolidated assets of
the Company invested, directly or indirectly, in equity interests
in, and loans secured by, real estate and personal property
associated with such real estate, before reserves for depreciation
or bad debt or other similar non-cash reserves, calculated by
taking the average of such values at the end of each month during
such period.
(g)
Book Value. “Book Value” of an asset or assets
shall mean the value of such asset or assets of the Trust on the
books of the Trust, without deduction for depreciation or other
asset valuation reserves and without deduction for mortgages or
other security interests to which such asset or assets are subject,
except that no asset shall be valued at more than its fair market
value as determined by or under procedures adopted by the Trustees,
and the underlying assets of a partnership, joint venture or other
form of indirect ownership, to the extent of the Trust’s
interest therein, shall be valued as if owned directly by the
Trust.
(h)
Bylaws. “Bylaws” shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 3.3.
(i)
Declaration. “Declaration” or “this
Declaration” shall mean this Declaration of Trust, as
amended, restated or modified from time to time. References in this
Declaration to “herein” and “hereunder”
shall be deemed to refer to this Declaration and shall not be
limited to the particular text, article or section in which such
words appear.
(j)
[Intentionally left blank].
(k)
Independent Trustee. “Independent
Trustee” shall mean a Trustee who, in his individual
capacity, (i) is neither an Affiliate of, nor has any material
business or professional relationship with, the Advisor or any
other Person whom the Trustees may pursuant to
Section 6.14(c) hereof permit to purchase in excess of
9.8% of the Trust’s Shares (provided, however, that any
Trustee affiliated with an underwriter shall not cease to be an
Independent Trustee solely on the basis of such underwriter’s
purchase of Shares in connection with any public offering of the
Trust’s Shares), and (ii) does not perform any services
for the Trust except as Trustee.
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(l)
Internal Revenue Code. “Internal Revenue
Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as now
enacted or hereafter amended, or successor statutes and applicable
rules and regulations thereunder.
(m)
Invested Assets. “Invested Assets” shall
mean the Book Value of all the Real Estate Investments of the
Trust.
(n)
Mortgage Loans. “Mortgage Loans” shall
mean notes, debentures, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness
or obligations, whether negotiable or non-negotiable, and which are
secured or collateralized by Mortgages.
(o)
Mortgages. “Mortgages” shall mean
mortgages, deeds of trust or other security interests in Real
Property.
(p)
Net Assets. “Net Assets” shall mean the
total assets (other than intangibles) at cost before deducting
depreciation or other non-cash reserves less total liabilities,
calculated at least quarterly on a basis consistently
applied.
(q)
Net Income. “Net Income” for any period
shall be calculated on the basis of the Trust’s audited
financial statements and shall mean total revenues applicable to
such period, less the expenses applicable to such period, other
than additions to reserves for depreciation or bad debts or other
similar non-cash reserves.
(r)
Person. “Person” shall mean and include
individuals, corporations, limited partnerships, general
partnerships, joint stock companies or associations, joint
ventures, associations, companies, trusts, banks, trust companies,
land trusts, business trusts and other entities and governments and
agencies and political subdivisions thereof.
(s)
Real Estate Investment. “Real Estate
Investment” shall mean any direct or indirect investment in
any interest in Real Property or in any Mortgage Loan, or in any
Person whose principal purpose is to make any such
investment.
(t)
Real Property. “Real Property” shall mean
and include land leasehold interests (including but not limited to
interests of a lessor or lessee therein), rights and interests in
land, and in any buildings, structures, improvements, furnishings
and fixtures located on or used in connection with land or
interests therein, but does not include investments in Mortgages,
Mortgage Loans or interests therein.
(u)
REIT . “REIT” shall mean a real estate
investment trust as defined in the REIT Provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code.
(v)
REIT Provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
“REIT Provisions of the Internal Revenue Code” shall
mean Parts II and III of Subchapter M of Chapter 1 of Subtitle A of
the Internal Revenue Code or any successor provision.
(w)
Securities. “Securities” shall mean any
stock, shares, voting trust certificates, bonds, debentures, notes
or other evidences of indebtedness or in general any instruments
commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of
interest, shares or participations in, temporary or interim
certificates for, receipts for, guarantees of, or warrants, options
or rights to subscribe to, purchase or acquire any of the
foregoing.
(x)
Shareholders. “Shareholders” shall mean
as of any particular time all holders of record of outstanding
Shares at such time.
(y)
Shares. “Shares” or, as the context may
require, “shares” shall mean the shares of beneficial
interest of the Trust as described in Section 6.1
hereof.
(z)
Total Assets. “Total Assets” shall mean
the Book Value of all the assets of the Trust, as such Book Value
appears on the most recent quarterly balance sheet of the
Trust.
(aa)
Total Operating Expenses. “Total Operating
Expenses” shall be calculated on the basis of the
Trust’s annual audited financial statements and shall mean
the aggregate annual expenses regarded as ordinary operating
expenses (including any compensation payable to the Advisor),
exclusive of the following:
(i)
interest payments and any other cost of borrowed money;
(ii)
taxes on income and taxes and assessments on real property, if any,
and all other taxes applicable to the Trust;
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(iii)
legal, auditing, accounting, underwriting, brokerage, listing,
reporting, registration and other fees, and printing, engraving and
other expenses and taxes incurred in connection with the issuance,
distribution, transfer, trading, registration and stock exchange
listing of the Trust’s securities, including transfer
agent’s, registrar’s and indenture trustee’s fees
and charges;
(A)
expenses of organizing, restructuring, reorganizing or terminating
the Trust, or of revising, amending, converting or modifying the
Trust’s organizational documents;
(B)
expenses directly connected with the acquisition, disposition and
ownership of real estate interests or other property (including the
costs of foreclosure, insurance premiums, legal services, brokerage
and sales commissions, maintenance, repair, improvement and local
management of property), other than expenses with respect thereto
of employees of the Advisor, to the extent that such expenses are
to be borne by the Advisor pursuant to the terms of the advisory
contract;
(iv)
non-cash provisions for depreciation, depletion and
amortization;
(v)
losses on the disposition of assets and provisions for such losses;
and
(vi)
other extraordinary charges including, without limitation,
litigation costs.
(bb)
Trust. “Trust” shall mean the Trust
created by this Declaration.
(cc)
Trustees. “Trustees” shall mean, as of
any particular time, the original signatories hereto as long as
they hold office hereunder and additional and successor Trustees,
and shall not include the officers, employees or agents of the
Trust or the Shareholders. Nothing herein shall be deemed to
preclude the Trustees from also serving as officers, employees or
agents of the Trust or owning Shares.
(dd)
Trust Estate. “Trust Estate” shall mean
as of any particular time any and all property, real, personal or
otherwise, tangible or intangible, which is transferred, conveyed
or paid to or purchased by the Trust or Trustees and all rents,
income, profits and gains therefrom and which at such time is owned
or held by or for the Trust or the Trustees.
ARTICLE II.
TRUSTEES
2.1.
Number, Term of Office and Qualifications of Trustees.
There shall be no fewer than three (3) nor more than
twelve (12) Trustees. The exact number of Trustees shall be five
(5) until changed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Trustees
or by an amendment of this Declaration duly adopted by the
Shareholders. The Board of Trustees shall be classified into three
groups, with two (2) Trustees in Group I, two (2) Trustees in
Group II, and one (1) Trustee in Group III. Each Trustee in
Group I shall serve for a term ending at the annual meeting of
Shareholders in 1996; each Trustee in Group II shall serve for a
term ending at the annual meeting of Shareholders in 1997; and the
Trustee in Group III shall serve for a term ending at the annual
meeting of Shareholders in 1995. After the respective terms of the
groups indicated, each such group of Trustees shall be elected for
successive terms ending at the annual meeting of Shareholders held
during the third year after election.
6
The names and business addresses of
the current Trustees who will serve as Trustees until the
expiration of their respective terms and until their successors are
elected and qualify are as follows:
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Name
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Address
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Group I:
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Barry M. Portnoy
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Sullivan &
Worcester
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One Post Office Square
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Boston, MA 02109
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John L. Harrington
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990 Washington Street
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Suite 315
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Dedham, MA 02026
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Group II:
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Rev. Justinian Manning,
C.P.
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St. Gabriel’s Parish
Rectory
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139 Washington Street
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Brighton, MA 02135
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Gerard M. Martin
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M & P Partners
Limited
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Partnership
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400 Centre Street
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Newton, MA 02158
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Group III:
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Arthur G. Koumantzelis
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Cumberland
Farms, Inc.
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777 Dedham Street
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Canton, MA 02021-9118
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The current Trustees shall be the
signatories hereto. No reduction in the number of Trustees shall
have the effect of removing any Trustee from office prior to the
expiration of term. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3,
each Trustee shall hold office until the election and qualification
of his successor. There shall be no cumulative voting in the
election of Trustees. A Trustee shall be an individual at least
twenty-one (21) years of age who is not under legal disability. A
majority of the Trustees shall at all times be persons who are
Independent Trustees; provided, however, that upon a failure to
comply with this requirement because of the resignation, removal or
death of a Trustee who is an Independent Trustee, such requirement
shall not be applicable for a period of ninety (90) days. Nominees
to serve as Independent Trustees shall be nominated by the then
current Independent Trustees, if any. Unless otherwise required by
law, no Trustee shall be required to give bond, surety or security
in any jurisdiction for the performance of any duties or
obligations hereunder. The Trustees in their capacity as Trustees
shall not be required to devote their entire time to the business
and affairs of the Trust.
2.2.
Compensation and Other Remuneration. The Trustees
shall be entitled to receive such reasonable compensation for their
services as Trustees as the Trustees may determine from time to
time. The Trustees and Trust officers shall be entitled to receive
remuneration for services rendered to the Trust in any other
capacity. Subject to Sections 7.7 and 7.8, such services may
include, without limitation, services as an officer of the Trust,
legal, accounting or other professional services, or services as a
broker, transfer agent or underwriter, whether performed by a
Trustee or any person affiliated with a Trustee.
2.3.
Resignation, Removal and Death of Trustees. A Trustee
may resign at any time by giving written notice to the remaining
Trustees at the principal office of the Trust. Such resignation
shall take effect on the date specified in such notice, without
need for prior accounting. A Trustee may be removed at any time
with or without cause by vote or consent of holders of Shares
representing two-thirds of the total votes authorized to be cast by
Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, or with cause
by all remaining Trustees. A Trustee judged incompetent or
bankrupt, or for whom a guardian or conservator has been appointed,
shall be deemed to have resigned as of the date of such
adjudication or appointment. Upon the resignation or removal of any
Trustee, or his otherwise ceasing to be a Trustee, he shall execute
and deliver such documents as the remaining Trustees shall require
for the conveyance of any Trust property held in his name, shall
account to the remaining Trustees as they require for all property
which he holds as Trustee and shall thereupon be discharged as
Trustee. Upon the incapacity or death of any Trustee, his legal
representative shall perform the acts set forth in the preceding
sentence and the discharge mentioned therein shall run to such
legal representative and to the incapacitated Trustee or the estate
of the deceased Trustee, as the case may be.
2.4.
Vacancies. If any or all the Trustees cease to be
Trustees hereunder, whether by reason of resignation, removal,
incapacity, death or otherwise, such event shall not terminate the
Trust or affect its continuity. Until vacancies are filled, the
remaining Trustee or Trustees (even though fewer than three (3))
may exercise the powers of the Trustees hereunder. Vacancies
(including vacancies created by increases in number) may be filled
by the remaining Trustee or by a majority of the remaining Trustees
(or a majority of the remaining Independent Trustees, if any, if
the vacant position was formerly held by an Independent Trustee or
is
7
required to be held by an
Independent Trustee) or by vote of holders of Shares representing a
majority of the total number of votes authorized to be cast by
Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote thereon. If at any
time there shall be no Trustees in office, successor Trustees shall
be elected by the Shareholders as provided in Section 6.9. Any
Trustee elected to fill a vacancy created by the resignation,
removal or death of a former Trustee shall hold office for the
unexpired term of such former Trustee.
2.5.
Successor and Additional Trustees. The right, title
and interest of the Trustees in and to the Trust Estate shall also
vest in successor and additional Trustees upon their qualification,
and they shall thereupon have all the rights and obligations of
Trustees hereunder. Such right, title and interest shall vest in
the Trustees whether or not conveyancing documents have been
executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2.3 or otherwise.
Appropriate written evidence of the election and qualification of
successor and additional Trustees shall be filed with the records
of the Trust and in such other offices or places as the Trustees
may deem necessary, appropriate or desirable.
2.6.
Actions by Trustees. The Trustees may act with or
without a meeting. A quorum for all meetings of the Trustees shall
be a majority of the Trustees; provided, however, that, whenever
pursuant to Section 7.8 or otherwise the vote of a majority of
a particular group of Trustees is required at a meeting, a quorum
for such meeting shall be a majority of the Trustees which shall
include a majority of such group. Unless specifically provided
otherwise in this Declaration, any action of the Trustees may be
taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the Trustees present (a
quorum being present) or without a meeting by written consents of a
majority of the Trustees, which consents shall be filed with the
records of meetings of the Trustees. Any action or actions
permitted to be taken by the Trustees in connection with the
business of the Trust may be taken pursuant to authority granted by
a meeting of the Trustees conducted by a telephone conference call,
and the transaction of Trust business represented thereby shall be
of the same authority and validity as if transacted at a meeting of
the Trustees held in person or by written consent. The minutes of
any Trustees’ meeting held by telephone shall be prepared in
the same manner as a meeting of the Trustees held in person. The
acquisition or disposition of any investment (other than
investments in short-term investment Securities described in
Section 5.1) shall require the approval of a majority of
Trustees, except as otherwise provided in Section 7.8. Any
agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other instrument or writing
executed by one or more of the Trustees or by any authorized Person
shall be valid and binding upon the Trustees and upon the Trust
when authorized or ratified by action of the Trustees or as
provided in the Bylaws.
With respect to the actions of the
Trustees, Trustees who have, or are Affiliates of Persons who have,
any direct or indirect interest in or connection with any matter
being acted upon may be counted for all quorum purposes under this
Section 2.6 and, subject to the provisions of
Section 7.8, may vote on the matter as to which they or their
Affiliates have such interest or connection.
2.7.
Certification of Changes in Trustees. No alteration
in the number of Trustees, no removal of a Trustee and no election
or appointment of any individual as Trustee (other than an
individual who was serving as a Trustee immediately prior to such
election or appointment) shall become effective unless and until
there shall be delivered to the secretary of the Trust an
instrument in writing signed by a majority of the Trustees,
certifying to such alteration in the number of Trustees and/or to
such removal of a Trustee and/or naming the individual so elected
or appointed as Trustee, together with his written acceptance
thereof and agreement to be bound thereby.
2.8.
Committees. The Trustees may appoint an audit
committee and such other standing committees as the Trustees
determine. Each standing committee shall consist of three or more
members, provided, however, that the Trustees may appoint a
standing committee consisting of at least one Trustee and two non-
Trustees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, all members of
the audit committee shall be Independent Trustees. A majority of
the members of each other standing committee comprised solely of
Trustees shall be Independent Trustees; provided, however, that
upon a failure to comply with this requirement because of the
resignation, removal or death of a Trustee who is an Independent
Trustee, such requirement shall not be applicable for a period of
ninety (90) days. Each committee shall have such powers, duties and
obligations as the Trustees may deem necessary or appropriate. The
standing committees shall report their activities periodically to
the Trustees.
ARTICLE III.
TRUSTEES’ POWERS
3.1.
Power and Authority of Trustees. The Trustees,
subject only to the specific limitations contained in this
Declaration, shall have, without further or other authorization,
and free from any power or control on the part of the Shareholders,
full, absolute and exclusive power, control and authority over the
Trust Estate and over the business and affairs of the Trust to the
same extent as if the Trustees were the sole owners thereof in
their own right, and may do all such acts and things as in their
sole judgment and discretion are necessary for or incidental to or
desirable for the carrying out of or conducting the business of the
Trust. Any construction of this Declaration or any determination
made in good faith by the Trustees as to the