Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 161, § 158: Taxation

Section 158. Nothing contained in sections one hundred and forty-three to one hundred and fifty-seven, inclusive, shall affect the right of the commonwealth or any subdivision thereof to tax the property owned or leased by a transportation area in the same manner and to the same extent as if the same were under private management, but cities and towns may abate in whole or in part the taxes thereon.