General Laws
The following is a list of General Laws accepted by the town. Consult municipal records for a more detailed description of the action.
MGL C.,
Chapter/Acts of
Adoption Date/Art. No.
Subject
27, 75 to 78
1890 ATM/7
Election of 3 Road Commissioners
30B
10-23-1990 ATM/3
Procurement procedures
30B, 15
10-23-1990 STM/4
Surplus supplies
32, 1 to 28
1948 ballot
Contributory retirement system
32B
1957 ATM
1966 ATM
Insurance coverage
32B, 7A
1970 ATM
Payment of subsidiary or additional rate for insurance
32B, 9E
1970 ATM
Payment of subsidiary or additional rate for insurance for retired employees
40, 40G
5-9-1981 ATM/17
Purchase items valued at less than $4,000 without formal bid procedure
40, 8B
4-6-1974 ATM/31
Establish Council on Aging
40, 8C
3-7-1970 ATM/13
Conservation Commission established
40, 8D
3-4-19072 ATM/24
Historical Commission established
40, 8G
9-21-1977 STM/8
Mutual police aid programs
40, 13a
1939 ATM/25
Establishment of insurance fund to pay for workmen’s compensation
40, 21(17)
3-3-1973 ATM/31
Earth removal
40, 22F
5-1-1993 ATM/161
Fees and charges for licenses and permits
40, 57
10-27-1993 STM/22
Deny application for, revoke or suspend a license or permit for failure to pay taxes
40B
9-20-1972 STM/1
Become member to Lower Pioneer Valley Regional Planning District
41, 38A
1943 ATM/16
Election of a Town Collector instead of a Tax Collector41, 41B
41, 41B
5-3-1986 ATM/12
Direct deposit of salaries
41, 81A
1958 ATM/13
Planning Board
41, 81F
10-29-1984 STM/5
Amend Official Town Map to reflect extension of Butter Hill Road by 366.71 feet
41, 97A
1967 ATM/12
Police Department established
44, 53F
5-3-1986 ATM/9
Treasurer to enter into compensating balance for FY87
44, 53F
5-1-1993 ATM/6
Begin FY94, enter compensating balance agreements not to exceed 3 years
44, 53F
5-11-1996 ATM/7
Begin FY97, enter compensating balance agreements not to exceed 3 years
44, 53E ½
5-6-1995 ATM/19
Establish revolving fund for Building Inspector
45, 14
3-3-1973 ATM/29
Establish Recreation Commission
48, 42A
5-11-1996 ATM/24
Fire Department established
53, 121
5-4-1985 ATM/23
Town Caucus
58, 7A
5-21-1969 STM/4
Installation of state tax assessment system
59, 5, cl. 17C
5-2-1987 ATM/25
Increasing amount applicant may exclude in calculating his/her gross estate
59, 5, cl. 41C
5-2-1987 ATM/24
Increase in limits for gross receipts
59, 57B
5-13-1989 ATM/18
Collector of Taxes to issue single bill for taxes if bill does not exceed $50
59, 57C
5-1-1993 ATM/17
Quarterly tax bills
71, 16-161
1951 Sp. Elec.
1953 Sp. Elec.
Regional School District
71, 40
11-4-1985 STM/2
Minimum teacher salary
78, 18
1911 ATM/13
Perpetual care lots
111, 27A
6-29-1983 STM/1
Join Quabbin Health District with Ware and Belchertown
140, 172
5-7-1988 ATM/17
Balance of Dog Fund to be expended for support of Elementary School Library
262, 34
5-7-1988 ATM/21
Adopt new fee schedule for Town Clerk to exceed in some cases the fees set by statute
431/1888
1891 ATM/7
School Superintendent
466/1898
1900 ATM/7
School Superintendent and Joint School Committee
347/1890
1891 ATM/8
Establishment of Board of Library Trustees
548/1898, ss. 332 and 333
1900 ATM/5
Highway Surveyor (acceptance of s. 332 rescinded 1902 ATM, Art. 4)
209/1908
1909 ATM/11
Protection of forest or sprout lands from fire
807/1913
1939 ATM/23
Workmen’s compensation
819/1913
1919 ballot question
Questions of public policy to be submitted to the voters on official ballots
790/1914
1914 ballot question
Abolish enrollment of members of political parties and limit membership of ward and town committees
179/1916
1916 ballot question
To prevent the voters of one political party from voting in primaries of another political party
292/1919, s. 2
1920 ATM/16
Union schools
403/1936
1939/24
Additional employees included in Workmen’s Compensation Law
152/1939
12-21-1942 STM/2
Absentee voting (rescinded 1946 ATM, Art. 22)
723/1945
1946 ATM/16
Assistance for veterans
401/1956
1957 ATM/20
Indemnification of civil defense volunteers
322/1961
1962 ATM/24
Towing of illegally parked vehicles
808/1975
5-31-1978 STM/1
Amends MGL c. 40A
605/1981
5-8-1982 ATM/17
Allow town to keep 100% of all parking fines
653/1982, s. 5
5-12-1984 ATM/16
Tax abatement for elderly
447/1984
5-4-1985 ATM/16
Allow municipalities to bid on government surplus property outside of Massachusetts
188/1985, s. 13
11-4-1985 STM/1
Professional development grant program
188/1985, s. 16
11-4-1985 STM/2
Teacher’s minimum salary
653/1989, s. 40
5-5-1990 ATM/18
Assessment date changes for new growth
653/1989, s. 41
5-5-1990 ATM/19
Quarterly tax bills
291/1990
5-4-1991 ATM/16
Enhanced 911 service
399/1992
5-1-1993 ATM/15
Early retirement incentive