Massachusetts Statutes

TITLE VII CITIES, TOWNS AND DISTRICTS

CHAPTER 39 MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
- Section 1 Allocation of powers
- Section 2 Presiding officer of board of aldermen; voting rights
- Section 3 Elections of city officers by municipal bodies; manner of voting
- Section 4 Mayor to sign every ordinance; veto power; effect
- Section 5 Performance of mayoralty duties during vacancy
- Section 6 Election warrants; issuance; acceptance of provisions of section
- Section 6A Municipal salaries; increases and decreases; procedure
- Section 7 Holding other offices
- Section 8 Compatibility of offices
- Section 8A Removal of officers; procedure; exception
- Section 9 Annual meeting; other meetings; election of officers; times; adjournment; holidays
- Section 9A Election of officers and other matters determined by ballot; meetings; time and place; warrants
- Section 10 Warrant; issuance; contents
- Section 11 Persons authorized to call meetings upon resignation of selectmen
- Section 12 Persons authorized to call meetings upon refusal of selectmen
- Section 13 Quorum; application of section
- Section 14 Moderators; election; tenure; vacancies; assistant moderators
- Section 15 Moderators; powers and duties
- Section 16 Appropriation, advisory or finance committees; appointment; tenure; powers and duties
- Section 17 Powers of moderator; preservation of order
- Section 18 Duties of moderators; reception of votes
- Section 19 Repealed, 1934, 39, Sec. 1
- Section 20 Precinct voting
- Section 21 Canvass of returns
- Section 22, 23 Repealed, 1974, 8, Sec. 4
- Section 23A Definitions
- Section 23B Open meetings of governmental bodies
- Section 23C Regulation of participation by public in open meetings
- Section 23D Adjudicatory hearings; attendance by municipal board, committee and commission members; voting disqualification
- Section 24 Application of chapter
CHAPTER 40 POWERS AND DUTIES OF CITIES AND TOWNS
- Section 1 Nature and scope
- Section 1A District defined
- Section 1B Districts; power to sue and be sued; insurance; defense of civil actions
- Section 2 Towns; power to sue and be sued
- Section 3 Towns; power to hold, lease and convey property
- Section 3A Cities, towns and districts; binding effect thereon of recordable instruments of title affecting interests in real estate as to good faith purchasers notwithstanding inconsistency of law th
- Section 4 Towns; power to contract; purposes
- Section 4A Governmental units; joint operation of public activities; termination of agreement; “governmental unit” defined; financial safeguards
- Section 4B Repealed, 1989, 687, Sec. 8
- Section 4B1/2 Repealed, 1989, 687, Sec. 9
- Section 4C Repealed, 1965, 763, Sec. 1
- Section 4D Contracts with state or public authority for construction of public works
- Section 4E Education collaboratives
- Section 4F Purchase of clothing or apparel; restrictions
- Section 4G Repealed, 1989, 687, Sec. 10
- Section 4H Repealed, 1989, 687, Sec. 11
- Section 4I Growth and development policy committees; definitions
- Section 5 Authorization
- Section 5A Cities; reserve funds for extraordinary expenditures; establishment
- Section 5B Stabilization funds; establishment
- Section 5C Districts; reserve funds for extraordinary expenditures; establishment
- Section 5D Contributory retirement system funds; recovery of pension costs
- Section 5E Unemployment compensation fund; deposit and investment; payments
- Section 5F Ambulance services; recreational facilities; service charges; credit card payments
- Section 5G Municipal waterways improvement and maintenance funds
- Section 5H Centennial celebrations; funds
- Section 6 Towns; reserve funds for extraordinary expenditures; establishment
- Section 6A Advertising
- Section 6B Uniforms and other outer clothing for members of police and fire departments and shellfish constabulary; clothing allowance
- Section 6C Removal of ice and snow from private ways; conditions
- Section 6D Removal of ice and snow from private ways; submission to electorate; ballot
- Section 6E to 6I Repealed, 1977, 693, Sec. 1
- Section 6J Stormy weather work clothes; purchase
- Section 6K Uniforms of public health nurses; purchase
- Section 6L Stormy weather work clothes; lease or rental
- Section 6M Repealed, 1977, 693, Sec. 1
- Section 6N Private ways; temporary repairs, ordinances or by-laws
- Section 6O Group life insurance premiums; permanent employees
- Section 7 Removal of ice and snow from sidewalks in towns
- Section 7A Prevention of automobile accidents
- Section 8 Enforcement of laws relating to civil service
- Section 8A Development and industrial commission; establishment; duties; membership; tenure; removals; vacancies
- Section 8B Council on aging; establishment; annual reports; recommendations by department; clerks and employees
- Section 8C Conservation commission; establishment; powers and duties
- Section 8D Historical commission; establishment; powers and duties
- Section 8E Youth commission; establishment; powers and duties
- Section 8F Consumer advisory commission; establishment; annual report; clerks and employees
- Section 8G Mutual police aid programs; agreements
- Section 8H Recycling programs
- Section 8I Energy resources commission; powers and duties
- Section 8J Disability commission; powers and duties; members; terms
- Section 8K Mapping commissions; powers and duties; members
- Section 9 Lease of building space for veterans’ organizations; limitations; erection of armories; celebration of holidays
- Section 9A Repealed, 1949, 563, Sec. 2
- Section 10 Public markets; establishment; conditions; regulation
- Section 11 Prevention of forest fires
- Section 11A Beach districts; formation
- Section 12 Public baths and wash houses
- Section 12A Repealed, 1941, 598, Sec. 5
- Section 12B Authorization; membership of control commission; annual audit
- Section 12C Construction of beach facilities; rules and regulations
- Section 12D Authority to incur indebtedness; limitation
- Section 12E Treasurer of district; appointment; bond; powers and duties
- Section 12F Employees
- Section 12G Leasing of concessions; procedure
- Section 13 Municipal buildings insurance fund; management; use
- Section 13A Workers’ compensation insurance funds; management
- Section 13B Residence quarters for school physicians
- Section 13C Workers’ compensation claims reserve funds
- Section 14 Purchase of land; conditions; limitations; definition
- Section 15 Abandonment of rights in realty; conditions
- Section 15A Transfer of land; procedure
- Section 15B Water supply works; sale or exchange of property
- Section 15C Scenic road designations; improvements; fines
- Section 16 Authorization
- Section 17 Assessment
- Section 18 Collection of assessment
- Section 19 Authorization; purposes; use of funds
- Section 20 Selling price of necessities; accounting
- Section 21 By-laws of towns; purpose
- Section 21A Powers of cities and towns; regulation of working conditions of employees
- Section 21B Personnel relations review board; establishment; purpose; “grievance”, defined
- Section 21C Union conventions; leave of absence
- Section 21C1/2 Employees who are veterans; participation in Veterans or Memorial Day exercises; time off granted; exceptions
- Section 21D Noncriminal disposition of ordinance, by-law, rule or regulation violations
- Section 21E Municipal charges and bills; due dates; interest
- Section 22 Regulation of vehicles; penalties for violation; disabled veterans and handicapped persons excepted from parking violations; taxicab licenses
- Section 22A Parking meters; fees; exemption from fees for disabled veterans and handicapped persons; bicycle locking devices; motorcycle parking; restricted parking areas for veterans and handicapped
- Section 22B Acquisition and maintenance of off-street parking areas; conditions; exceptions
- Section 22C Off-street parking lots; installation of parking meters and other devices
- Section 22D Vehicles parked in violation of law; removal
- Section 22E Lease of air space above structures and facilities
- Section 22F License fees; service charges; acceptance of section
- Section 22G Funds received from fines for handicap parking violations; deposits in account; expenditures
- Section 23 Powers of cities; regulation of erection and maintenance of balustrades; penalty for violation
- Section 24 Powers of cities; regulation of the quality of ice; penalty for violation
- Section 25 to 30B Repealed, 1954, 368, Sec. 1
- Section 31 Powers of towns; performance of duty imposed by by-laws
- Section 32 Validation of by-laws; procedure
- Section 32A Publication of ordinances
- Section 32B Publication of compilations of zoning ordinances; supplements; distribution and sale
- Section 33 Rules and regulations promulgated by town boards; filing
- Section 34 Town; erection and maintenance of lockup; penalty for noncompliance
- Section 35 Keeper; appointment; oath; penalty for failure to appoint keeper
- Section 36 Keeper; powers; compensation; fees
- Section 36A Report of death or suicide of lockup inmates; records of attempts at, or threats of, suicide
- Section 36B Cells; protective coverings, electronic audio systems and electronic security devices
- Section 36C Police; training in suicide detection, intervention and prevention
- Section 37 Accessibility of lockup to police; penalty for refusing access
- Section 37A Curfews; imposition; penalties
- Section 38 Purchase, development and use
- Section 39 Conveying water through another town; liability for damages
- Section 39A Water supply or distributing system; establishment; maintenance and operation; exception
- Section 39B Acquisition of land and water; conditions
- Section 39C Construction and maintenance of dams, wells, reservoirs and other buildings; conditions
- Section 39D Surveys
- Section 39E Management of water system
- Section 39F Damages
- Section 39G Pollution of water; damage to property; penalties
- Section 39H Right to aid other governmental units; compensation
- Section 39I Water meters; testing
- Section 39J Pricing system; costs
- Section 39J1/2 Repealed, 1990, 177, Secs. 102, 103
- Section 39K Drinking water protection district; establishment; commission; pricing system; fund
- Section 39L Water or sewer service charges; descending unit rate basis
- Section 40 Repealed, 1985, 592, Sec. 2
- Section 41 Protection of water supply; conditions
- Section 41A Use of water in emergencies
- Section 41B, 41C Repealed, 1968, 548, Sec. 2
- Section 42 Laying pipes and conduits
- Section 42A Method of collection; lien for delinquent charges
- Section 42B Effective date of lien; termination; enforcement
- Section 42C Unpaid charges; report to tax collector
- Section 42D Unpaid charges; collection as part of property tax
- Section 42E Abatements; appeals
- Section 42F Recovery of delinquent charges from tenants
- Section 42G Distribution of water; payment of costs by special assessment
- Section 42H Uniform rate of assessment
- Section 42I Recordation of assessment to establish lien on property; amount of assessment; extension of time for payment
- Section 42J Deferral of charges
- Section 42K Assessment of betterments
- Section 43 Authorization for transmission
- Section 43A Permission to construct pipelines; conditions
- Section 44 Establishment by towns; purposes; membership; tenure; powers and duties
- Section 44A Regional refuse disposal planning committee
- Section 44B Regional refuse disposal planning board; study of creation of district; expenses of board; refuse disposal facility defined
- Section 44C Regional refuse disposal planning board; agreement for establishment of district
- Section 44D Report of board
- Section 44E Acceptance of recommendation; election; establishment of district
- Section 44F General powers of district
- Section 44G Exercise of powers; officers of committee
- Section 44H Maintenance and operating expenses; debts; determination and apportionment
- Section 44I Annual audit and report; costs
- Section 44J Sale, lease or license of lands or facilities to refuse disposal districts
- Section 44K Bonds and notes; limit of indebtedness
- Section 44L Issuance of debt obligations to pay for project costs
- Section 45 Towns; permission to designate an agent
- Section 46 Certification of claims
CHAPTER 40A ZONING
- Section 1 Title of chapter
- Section 1A Definitions
- Section 2 Repealed, 1987, 685, Sec. 2
- Section 3 Subjects which zoning may not regulate; exemptions; public hearings; temporary manufactured home residences
- Section 4 Uniform districts
- Section 5 Adoption or change of zoning ordinances or by-laws; procedure
- Section 6 Existing structures, uses, or permits; certain subdivision plans; application of chapter
- Section 7 Enforcement of zoning regulations; violations; penalties; jurisdiction of superior court
- Section 8 Appeals to permit granting authority
- Section 9 Special permits
- Section 9A Special permits for adult bookstores, adult motion pictures theaters, adult paraphernalia stores, adult video stores or establishments which display live nudity
- Section 9B Solar access
- Section 9C Child care facilities; allowable floor area; charges of owner; family incomes
- Section 10 Variances
- Section 11 Notice requirements for public hearings; parties in interest defined; review of special permit petitions; recording copies of special permit and variance decisions
- Section 12 Boards of appeal; membership; rules
- Section 13 Zoning administrators; appointment; powers and duties
- Section 14 Boards of appeal; powers
- Section 15 Appeals to permit granting authority; notice; time; boards of appeal hearings; procedure
- Section 16 Final unfavorable decisions by permit granting authorities; reconsideration; withdrawal of petitions for variance or applications for special permit
- Section 17 Judicial review
CHAPTER 40B REGIONAL PLANNING
- Section 1 Title of chapter
- Section 2 Purpose of chapter
- Section 2A Regional or district groupings; consent to placement
- Section 3 Planning districts; establishment; new members; jurisdiction area; rights and liabilities
- Section 4 District planning commissions; membership; employees; meetings
- Section 4A Executive committees; establishment; membership; powers and duties; reports
- Section 4B Seals authorized
- Section 4C Federal military installations within districts; commanding officer as ex officio member of commission
- Section 5 Powers and duties; reports
- Section 5A Agreement for water favorability studies
- Section 5B Economic development regional commissions; authorization to act
- Section 6 Cooperation of state agencies with planning commissions
- Section 7 Preparation of budget; apportionment of costs; disbursement of funds; receipt of gifts; contracts for planning studies and services
- Section 8 Borrowing in anticipation of revenue from member municipalities
- Section 9 Southeastern regional planning and economic development district; establishment
- Section 10 Membership; termination
- Section 11 Dissolution of regional planning districts; transitional provisions; procedure
- Section 12 Commission; membership; appointment; term
- Section 13 Advisory committee; membership; appointment; term; removal; vacancies
- Section 14 Powers and duties
- Section 15 Executive officers; committees; meetings; rules and records; expenses
- Section 16 Executive director; employees; tenure; compensation
- Section 17 Contracts; expenditures and obligations
- Section 18 Estimate of costs; fiscal year; assessment; limitation; payment; reserve funds; audit
- Section 19 Data exchange between agencies
- Section 20 Definitions
- Section 21 Low or moderate income housing; applications for approval of proposed construction; hearing; appeal
- Section 22 Appeal to housing appeals committee; procedure; judicial review
- Section 23 Hearing by housing appeals committee; issues; powers of disposition; orders; enforcement
- Section 24 Metropolitan area planning council; composition; appointments; vacancies
- Section 25 Council; officers; meetings; rules of procedure; report; treasurer’s bond; powers and duties
- Section 26 Establishment; composition
- Section 27 Mutual exchange of data, etc. between council and other governmental agencies
- Section 28 Executive committee of council; composition; powers and duties; executive director; staff; technical advisory committees
- Section 29 Inter-agency agreements; expenditures; assessments; gifts, grants, etc.; fund
- Section 30 Technical assistance center; permitting model; evaluations and reporting; regional planning districts to assist municipalities
CHAPTER 40C HISTORIC DISTRICTS
- Section 1 Citation
- Section 2 Purpose
- Section 3 Establishment of historic districts; pre-requisites; enlargement or reduction of boundaries; amendment of creating ordinance; filing of maps
- Section 4 Study committees; commissions; establishment; membership; terms; vacancies; compensation; officers
- Section 5 Definitions
- Section 6 Certificates of appropriateness, non-applicability or hardship; necessity; applications and plans, etc.; building and demolition permits restricted
- Section 7 Factors to be considered by commission
- Section 8 Review authority of commission over certain categories of buildings, structures or exterior architectural features limited; authorization
- Section 9 Maintenance, repair or replacement.
- Section 10 Additional powers, functions and duties of commission
- Section 11 Approval or disapproval of exterior architectural features by commission; meetings; applications for certificates; public hearings; notices
- Section 12 Review procedure provided by local ordinance or by-law
- Section 12A Appeal to superior court
- Section 13 Jurisdiction of superior court; penalty
- Section 14 Powers and duties of commissions established as historical commissions
- Section 15 Filing of ordinances, maps, reports, etc.
- Section 16 Special historic districts; acceptance and effect of this chapter
- Section 17 Severability
CHAPTER 40D INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OF CITIES AND TOWNS
- Section 1 Definitions
- Section 2 Industrial Development Financing Authority; creation; consolidated authorities; dissolution
- Section 3 Board of directors of authority; appointment; terms
- Section 4 Removal of directors; interested directors
- Section 5 Officers; oaths; records of proceedings; quorum; trade secrets; property and business of authority
- Section 6 Compensation and expenses of directors
- Section 7 Powers of municipalities
- Section 8 Financing documents; excess payments
- Section 9 Borrowing money and issuance of bonds; trust agreements
- Section 10 Requisites for issuance and status of bonds
- Section 11 Proceeds of bonds
- Section 12 Issuance of bonds; conditions
- Section 13 Deposit of proceeds from bonds
- Section 14 Rentals and moneys payable under lease; payment to trustee under trust agreement for repayment of bonds; pledges; trust agreements
- Section 15 Trust funds
- Section 16 Bondholders remedies
- Section 17 Revenue refunding bonds
- Section 18 Deposit of funds; reports and financial statements; audits
- Section 19 Appropriations
- Section 20 Exemption from taxation; leased property
- Section 21 Solid waste disposal facilities; financing authorities; organization; consolidation and dissolution; bonds; contracts; production and sale of steam as a by-product; applicable laws; gover
- Section 22 Pollution control facilities; financing; findings; financing authority; applicable laws
- Section 23 Pollution control, cogeneration, and small power production facilities; grants or loans
CHAPTER 40E MASSACHUSETTS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
- Section 1 Public purpose
- Section 2 Definitions
- Section 3, 4 Repealed, 1996, 58, Sec. 22
- Section 5 Industrial development projects; loans to agencies; contracts; conditions; limitations; interest; security; payment; federal financing
- Section 6 Loans; application; contents; public hearings; granting
- Section 7 Industrial development fund; deposits; requisition of funds
- Section 8 Board of directors; officers; powers
- Section 9 Issuance of negotiable bonds and notes; refunding or renewal; maturity; interest; limitations; sale; security; liability by reason of issuance; purchase by authority
- Section 10 Bonds and notes secured by trust agreement; depository of proceeds; protective provisions of agreement; expenses
- Section 11 Obligation of commonwealth or political subdivisions on bonds and notes issued by authority
- Section 12 Tax free status of bonds and notes of authority
- Section 13 Bonds and notes of authority as legal investments
- Section 14 Disposition of funds; secured deposits; warrants or orders; revolving fund; excess to general fund
- Section 15 Conflicting interest of officers or employees in contracts prohibited
- Section 16 Annual report
- Section 17 Protection of rights and remedies of bondholders and noteholders
- Section 18 Property taxes and assessments; liability
- Section 19 Annual audit
- Section 20 Liberal construction
- Section 21 Severability
CHAPTER 40F THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION
- Section 1 Definitions
- Section 2 Creation; membership; quorum; powers and duties; president; meetings
- Section 3 Powers of CDFC
- Section 4 Purchase of corporate shares by commonwealth; disposition of funds; capital participation instruments; financing certain projects
- Section 4A Stock purchase agreements by commonwealth
- Section 5 Corporations established or operated for purpose of financing small businesses or entities undertaking projects
CHAPTER 40G MASSACHUSETTS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
- Section 1 Definitions
- Section 2 Massachusetts Technology Development Corporation; creation; board of directors; officers and employees
- Section 3 Powers
- Section 4 Investment fund
- Section 4A Repealed, 1987, 697, Sec. 116
- Section 4B Commonwealth Fund; Co-Investment Funds
- Section 5 Operation; licensed small business investment corporation; establishment of subsidiary corporation
- Section 5A Innovation development; grants, loans, etc.; subsidiary corporation
- Section 6 Annual report of activities
- Section 7 Audit of books and records
- Section 8 Liberal construction of chapter
- Section 9 Initial appointments to board of directors
- Section 10 Documentary materials concerning trade secrets, commercial or financial information; confidentiality
CHAPTER 40H COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE CORPORATION
- Section 1 Public purpose
- Section 2 Definitions
- Section 3 Creation; public instrumentality; board of directors; officers and employees
- Section 4 Powers
- Section 5 Technical and financial assistance; eligible organizations; standards; preference to certain projects
- Section 6 Report of activities
- Section 7 Audit of books and records
- Section 8 Construction of chapter
CHAPTER 40I THE BAY STATE SKILLS CORPORATION ACT [Repealed, 1996, 151, Sec. 196.]
CHAPTER 40J MASSACHUSETTS TECHNOLOGY PARK CORPORATION
- Section 1 Findings and purpose
- Section 1A Additional findings and revised public purpose
- Section 2 Definitions
- Section 3 Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation; creation; board of directors; employees
- Section 4 Powers of corporation
- Section 4A Supplemental powers
- Section 4B Essential governmental functions
- Section 4C Application of Sec. 12(h); tax exemption for corporation debt obligations and income therefrom; restrictions on directors affiliated with participating businesses or institutions
- Section 4D Microelectronics center; essential tasks
- Section 4E Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust Fund
- Section 4F Massachusetts Research Center Matching Fund
- Section 5 Center fund; Massachusetts Microelectronics Center
- Section 6 Establishment of center
- Section 6A John Adams Innovation Institute; fund; grants
- Section 6B Massachusetts Broadband Institute; board of directors; broadband infrastructure; plan of operation; disbursement of funds; annual report
- Section 6C Massachusetts Broadband Incentive Fund
- Section 6D Massachusetts e-Health Institute; health information technology council; electronic health records plan; funding; annual report
- Section 6E E-Health Institute Fund
- Section 6F Requirements for approved plans and grantees or organizations receiving monies
- Section 6G Reporting and notice of unauthorized access to or disclosure of patient health information
- Section 7 Executive director
- Section 8 Annual report
- Section 9 Annual audit
- Section 10 Construction of chapter
- Section 11 Application of chapter 12A
- Section 12 Massachusetts Centers of Excellence Corporation
CHAPTER 40K MASSACHUSETTS PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION [Repealed, 1996, 58, Sec. 23.]
CHAPTER 40L AGRICULTURAL INCENTIVE AREAS
- Section 1 Definitions
- Section 2 Agricultural incentive area committee
- Section 3 Location of agricultural or horticultural land; informational meetings
- Section 4 Establishment of agricultural incentive areas; procedure
- Section 5 Sale of land or conversion to other use
- Section 6 Property tax; assessment
- Section 7 Special or betterment assessments
- Section 8 Eligibility of area for purchase of agricultural preservation restrictions; priority
- Section 9 Rules and regulations
- Section 10 Local acceptance of chapter
CHAPTER 40M GOVERNMENTAL UNITS POOLED INSURANCE
- Section 1 Public employer self-insurance groups
- Section 2 Definitions
- Section 3 Certificate of approval required
- Section 4 Certificate of approval; application; requirements; refusal; service of legal process
- Section 5 Certificate of approval; duration; termination; merger of groups
- Section 6 Examination of records
- Section 7 Board of trustees; powers and duties
- Section 8 Membership in group
- Section 9 Solicitation of memberships
- Section 10 Reports
- Section 11 Rating plan; annual audit
- Section 12 Refund of excess funds
- Section 13 Premium payments; loss reserves
- Section 14 Deficiencies
- Section 15 Violations; cease and desist orders
- Section 16 Revocation of certificate of approval; grounds; review
CHAPTER 40N MODEL WATER AND SEWER COMMISSION
- Section 1 Purpose
- Section 2 Short title
- Section 3 Definitions
- Section 4 Municipal water and sewer commissions; creation; members
- Section 5 Executive director; officers
- Section 6 Water works and sewer works system; transfer of title; debts, liabilities and obligations
- Section 7 Employees; transfer
- Section 8 Powers
- Section 9 Additional powers and limitations
- Section 10 Issuance of notes; collection and enforcement powers
- Section 11 Issuance of bonds; temporary notes
- Section 12 Payment of bonds
- Section 13 Refunding bonds
- Section 14 Payment of bonds from bond proceeds; liability
- Section 15 Moneys received deemed to be trust funds
- Section 16 Bonds eligible for investment
- Section 17 Bonds deemed to be investment securities
- Section 18 Bonds issued without consent of other entities
- Section 19 Tax exemption
- Section 20 Records; reports; inspection
- Section 21 Termination or dissolution of commission
- Section 22 Inconsistent laws or ordinances inoperative
- Section 23 Provisions of act controlling
- Section 24 Construction of act
- Section 25 Regional water and sewer district commissions; formation
- Section 26 Construction of act; constitutional requirements
- Section 27 Acceptance of act
CHAPTER 40O BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
- Section 1 Definitions
- Section 2 Rights and powers
- Section 3 Initiation of organization; contents of petition
- Section 4 Hearing on petition; declaration of organization; notice; election of non-participation
- Section 5 Board of directors
- Section 6 Property included in fee formula; exemptions
- Section 7 District fee structure
- Section 8 Collection of fees; disbursement of funds; annual audit
- Section 9 Amendment of improvement plan
- Section 10 Dissolution
CHAPTER 40P THE MASSACHUSETTS RENT CONTROL PROHIBITION ACT
- Section 1 Title
- Section 2 Purpose
- Section 3 Definition of rent control
- Section 4 General prohibition; exception
- Section 5 Preemption
CHAPTER 40Q DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT FINANCING
- Section 1 Definitions
- Section 2 Development districts
- Section 3 Tax increment revenue for financing development program
- Section 4 Revenue bonds for financing development program
CHAPTER 40R SMART GROWTH ZONING AND HOUSING PRODUCTION
- Section 1 Purpose
- Section 2 Definitions
- Section 3 Smart growth zoning district
- Section 4 Letter of eligibility
- Section 5 Information in application for determination of eligibility
- Section 6 Minimum requirements for smart growth zoning district
- Section 7 Certificate of compliance
- Section 8 Comprehensive housing plan
- Section 9 Payments from trust fund; density bonus payment; use of discretionary funds
- Section 10 Adoption of design standards
- Section 11 Application for approval of projects; approval; review; complaint; bond; jurisdiction and priority; validity and effect of project approval
- Section 12 Administration, review, and reporting
- Section 13 Existing zoning district
- Section 14 Repayment
CHAPTER 40S SMART GROWTH SCHOOL COST REIMBURSEMENT
- Section 1 Definitions
- Section 2 Amount of smart growth school cost reimbursement; addition to districts’ required net school spending
- Section 3 Smart growth address list; duties of reporting officer; assessor’s list; calculation of reimbursement amount; regulations
- Section 4 Annual report on cost and effectiveness of reimbursement program
CHAPTER 41 OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF CITIES, TOWNS AND DISTRICTS
- Section 1 Officers to be elected; tenure
- Section 1A District defined
- Section 1B Appointed town offices and boards; acceptance by voters
- Section 2 Establishment of new board or office; effect; increase or decrease in board membership or number of officers
- Section 3 City officers; powers and duties
- Section 4 Penalty for failure to choose selectmen or assessors
- Section 4A Members of town and district boards eligible to hold other offices; salary
- Section 5 Voting list; use
- Section 6 Use of official ballots; towns authorized to provide for
- Section 7 Use of official ballot; determination of extent
- Section 8 Handling of ballots
- Section 9 Handling of ballots after tabulation; sealing
- Section 10 Failure to elect; procedure to fill vacancy; notice
- Section 11 Appointment to fill vacancy in town office
- Section 12 City clerks; tenure
- Section 13 Bond of town clerk
- Section 13A Bond of city clerk
- Section 13B Renewal of licenses and permits; delegation of authority
- Section 14 Temporary clerk
- Section 15 Town clerks; powers and duties
- Section 15A Certification of appropriations
- Section 16 Oaths of town officers; return of certificate
- Section 17 Filing of city contracts; penalty for noncompliance
- Section 18 Assistant city clerk
- Section 18A Records of city clerk; attestation
- Section 18B Facsimile signatures of city clerk or assistant city clerk
- Section 19 Assistant town clerks; powers and duties; compensation
- Section 19A Certificate of appointment or election of clerk; filing requirements
- Section 19B City and town clerks; tenure of office
- Section 19C Acceptance of Sec. 19B; procedure; petition
- Section 19D Removal or suspension of clerk having permanent tenure
- Section 19E Procedure for filling vacancy following death or removal of clerk having permanent tenure
- Section 19F Additional compensation for serving as clerk of city council
- Section 19G Additional compensation for serving as member of registrars of voters
- Section 19H Maximum amount of additional compensation for serving as member of registrars of voters
- Section 19I Additional compensation for serving in other city or town positions
- Section 19J Additional compensation for serving as member of board of registrars of voters
- Section 19K Additional compensation for town clerk
- Section 20 Duties and oaths; penalty
- Section 21 Authorization for selectmen to act as or appoint other town officers
- Section 21A Removal of persons appointed to positions of chief of police or head of municipal police department
- Section 22 Officers appointed by selectmen; tenure; compensation; vacancies
- Section 23 Rescission of vote by selectmen; election of other officers; tenure
- Section 23A Executive secretary or town administrator; appointment; tenure
- Section 23B Town departments; investigations and reports
- Section 23C Persons acting on behalf of selectmen; appointment and removal
- Section 23D Municipal data processing centers
- Section 24 Number; method of selection; tenure
- Section 24A Repealed, 1937, 129, Sec. 1
- Section 25 Appointment by selectmen; tenure of office
- Section 25A Assistant assessors; appointment by assessors; duties; compensation; tenure
- Section 26 Appointment by selectmen where town so votes
- Section 26A Employment of counsel in certain proceedings
- Section 27 Appointment upon failure of incumbents to perform duties
- Section 28 Powers and duties of assistant assessors
- Section 29 Oath of office; penalty for failure to take oath
- Section 30 Penalty for false valuation
- Section 30A Vacancies; effect on powers of remaining assessors
- Section 30B Agreements for joint and cooperative assessment, classification and valuation of property
- Section 31 to 34 Repealed, 1967, 658, Sec. 5
- Section 34A Repealed, 1931, 426, Sec. 156
- Section 34B Identification of husbands and wives in documents and communications
- Section 35 Bond of treasurer; duties
- Section 36 Powers of treasurer; prosecution of actions
- Section 37 Treasurer acting as tax collector; appointment of deputies
- Section 38 Powers of tax collector
- Section 38A Collection of accounts due city or town; powers and duties of tax collector
- Section 39 Collection of taxes by constable
- Section 39A Assistant treasurer
- Section 39B Removal of treasurers or city or town collectors
- Section 39C Assistant collector
- Section 40 Temporary town officers
- Section 41 Payment of compensation; oath
- Section 41A Delivery of payroll checks to department heads
- Section 41B Payment of public employees by direct bank credits
- Section 41C Deposits in credit union; pension or retirement allowances
- Section 42 Contents of pay roll
- Section 43 Penalty
- Section 43A Defense of actions against treasurers and collectors; indemnification
- Section 44 Election; tenure; appointment of secretary and treasurer
- Section 45 Creation; membership; powers and duties
- Section 45A Commissioners in towns under five thousand population
- Section 46 Town treasurer; duties; bond
CHAPTER 42 BOUNDARIES OF CITIES AND TOWNS
- Section 1 Seaward boundary
- Section 2 Locating and marking of town boundary markers; recordation; copy of records to contiguous town
- Section 3 Repealed, 1973, 231, Sec. 2
- Section 4 Boundary monuments; erection
- Section 5 Locating and marking of boundary markers in border towns; notice to contiguous towns in other state; removal of state bounds prohibited
- Section 6 Penalty
- Section 7 Changes in boundaries of adjoining towns
- Section 8 Boundaries formed by stream or highway; filing of plan
- Section 9 Triangulation points as evidence of town lines
- Section 10 Obliteration of monuments; restrictions
- Section 11 Penalty for illegal obliteration of monuments
- Section 12 Location of disputed boundaries; procedure
CHAPTER 43 CITY CHARTERS
- Section 1 Definitions
- Section 2 Authorization to adopt a plan of government
- Section 3 Effect of chapter on legislative powers of cities
- Section 4 Effect of adoption of governmental plan on ordinances, etc.
- Section 5 Existing organization to continue until superseded
- Section 6 Wards, number and boundaries to continue until changed under law
- Section 7 Adoption of plan; filing of petition calling for vote
- Section 8 Adoption of plan; form of petition
- Section 9 Plan A, B, C, D or E; proceeding after filing of petition; submission to electorate
- Section 9A Repealed, 1961, 146, Sec. 2
- Section 9B Plan F; proceeding after filing of petition; submission to electorate
- Section 10 Number of plans considered at election; procedure on subsequent petitions
- Section 11 Majority vote required for adoption of plan; effect of adoption; election of officers
- Section 12 Petition for other plans after unfavorable election
- Section 13 Duration of plan adopted
- Section 14 Officials to expedite transition to adopted plan
- Section 15 Dates of elections under adopted plan; municipal year defined
- Section 16 Primaries and caucuses prohibited
- Section 16A Plan F; primaries and caucuses
- Section 17 Oath of office; time of taking
- Section 17A Salaries of mayor, city manager and council
- Section 17B Compensation of mayor and city council
- Section 17C Four-year term for mayors in certain cities; acceptance by election; application of section
- Section 17D Two-year term for mayors in cities under Sec. 17C; acceptance by election
- Section 18 City council; powers and duties
- Section 19 Duties of mayor or city manager; attendance at council meetings; disclosure of information
- Section 20 Passage of ordinances
- Section 21 Amendments and repeals of ordinances
- Section 22 Ordinances, etc.; passage at one session
- Section 23 Ordinances; publication
- Section 24 Adoption of plan; effect on obligations, taxes and legal acts
- Section 25 Employees in mayor’s office not subject to civil service
- Section 26 Vacancies in office of mayor or city council; acting mayor
- Section 27 Interest in public contracts by public employees prohibited; penalty
- Section 28, 28A Repealed, 1984, 484, Sec. 42
- Section 29 Public contracts; form; required approvals; bond, etc.
- Section 30 Purchase or taking of land
- Section 31 School committee; membership; tenure
- Section 32 Superintendent of schools; election; appointment of other school employees.
- Section 33 School committee; powers and duties
- Section 34 Location and erection of schools; approvals required
- Section 35 Open and public meetings; yea and nay vote
- Section 36 School committee; filling vacancies
- Section 37 Initiative petition; measure defined
- Section 38 Initiative petitions; validity of signatures; objections
- Section 39 Initiative petition; passage and submission to electorate
- Section 40 Proceedings if initiative petition not properly signed
- Section 41 Contents of ballot for proposed measure
- Section 42 Referendum petition; effect on final passage
- Section 43 Submission of proposed measure to voters
- Section 44 Measures with conflicting provisions
- Section 44A Preliminary elections; contents of notices
- Section 44B Inclusion of name on ballot; prerequisites
- Section 44C Candidates for nomination; qualifications; statement and petition
- Section 44D Official ballot; posting lists of candidates; drawing for position on ballot
- Section 44E Counting ballots; canvass of returns
- Section 44F Determination of candidates for election
- Section 44G Nomination of candidates; conditions making preliminary election unnecessary
- Section 44H Acceptance of sections dealing with preliminary elections; submission to electorate
- Section 45 Provisions applicable to adoption of any governmental plan
- Section 46 Plan A
CHAPTER 43A STANDARD FORM OF REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING GOVERNMENT
- Section 1 Adoption authorized; conditions
- Section 2 Adoption procedure; submission to electorate
- Section 3 Organization
- Section 4 Town meeting members; election; terms of office
- Section 5 Meetings; quorum; compensation of members
- Section 6 Nominations
- Section 7 Action on articles in warrant for town meeting
- Section 8 Moderator; tenure; duties; vacancies
- Section 9 Town meeting members; vacancies
- Section 10 Enactments at town meetings; restrictions
- Section 11 Authority of town after acceptance of chapter; effect of actions taken
- Section 12 General meetings authorized; limitations of chapter
CHAPTER 43B HOME RULE PROCEDURES
- Section 1 Short title; definitions
- Section 2 Adoption, revision or amendment of existing charter
- Section 3 Petition for adoption and revision of charter; filing; objections
- Section 4 Order of governing body for submission of question of adoption or revision of charter; nomination and election of charter commission
- Section 5 Charter commission; procedure for nomination and election of members
- Section 6 Charter commission; number of members; election
- Section 7 Charter commission; organization; compensation and expenses of members
- Section 8 Charter commission; rules and regulations; personnel; funds; receipts and expenditures; office space and facilities; taxation and borrowing
- Section 9 Hearings before charter commission; reports of commission
- Section 10 Amendments to charter previously adopted or revised under this chapter; procedure
- Section 11 Proposed charter or charter revision; submission to voters; ballot; copies of final report or proposed amendment; adoption of alternative or conflicting provisions
- Section 12 Charter and charter amendments and revisions; deposit of certificates; judicial notice; reprints for distribution
- Section 12A Resubmission of charter which failed of approval
- Section 13 Exercise of powers and functions by municipalities
- Section 14 Enforcement of this chapter; declaratory relief; judicial review
- Section 15 Petitions for adoption or revision of charter or suggestion of charter amendment; form
- Section 16 Paper or document required to be filed or submitted; presumptions
- Section 17 Election laws; applicable and conflicting provisions
- Section 18 Method of electing officers
- Section 19 Special laws enacted after Nov. 8, 1966
- Section 20 Provisions of charter or amendment deemed consistent with certain other laws
CHAPTER 43C OPTIONAL FORMS OF MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION ACT
- Section 1 Short title
- Section 2 Definitions
- Section 3 Adoption authorized; conditions; revocation or rescission
- Section 4 Adoption; initiation by petition
- Section 5 Petition; form
- Section 6 Petition; submission to voters
- Section 7 Council or board proposal; submission to voters
- Section 8 Vote on two or more plans
- Section 9 Revocation or rescission of plan; home rule alternative
- Section 10 Effect of adoption; employee transfer; consolidation of agencies
- Section 11 Consolidated department of municipal finance; petition summary; ordinance or by-law
- Section 12 Consolidated department of community development; petition summary; ordinance or by-law
- Section 13 Consolidated department of municipal inspections; petition summary; ordinance or by-law
- Section 14 Adoption, revocation or rescission of plan; majority vote
- Section 15 Joint agreements with other governmental units; consolidated department participation
CHAPTER 43D EXPEDITED PERMITTING
- Section 1 Acceptance of chapter
- Section 1A Repealed, 2006, 205, Sec. 11
- Section 2 Definitions
- Section 3 Formal proposal for designation as priority development site; technical assistance grants
- Section 4 Rules and regulations on permit issuance
- Section 5 Priority development permits; review and final decision
- Section 6 Informal procedure for advisory review; fee
- Section 7 Time for final actions
- Section 8 Grounds for denial of grant
- Section 9 Waiver or extension of time period
- Section 10 Administrative appeals; time for filing; final written decision
- Section 11 Transfer of permits; renewals; modification; expiration
- Section 12 Benefits of priority development sites
- Section 13 Technical assistance funding
- Section 14 Time for required reviews
- Section 15 Substantive jurisdictional authority of issuing authorities
- Section 16 Rules and regulations
CHAPTER 44 MUNICIPAL FINANCE
- Section 1 Definitions
- Section 2 Limitations and restrictions
- Section 3 Computation of indebtedness
- Section 4 Temporary loans in anticipation of revenue; conditions; limitations
- Section 4A Repealed, 1990, 210, Sec. 2
- Section 4B Expired. See 1976, 4, Sec. 33
- Section 5 to 5B Repealed, 1969, 849, Sec. 48; 1971, 766, Sec. 11
- Section 6 Power to borrow for payment of land or highway expenditures
- Section 6A Power to borrow in anticipation of reimbursement by commonwealth
- Section 7 Cities and towns; purposes for borrowing money within debt limit
- Section 8 Cities and towns; purposes for borrowing money outside debt limit
- Section 8A Orders authorizing issuance of bonds; authentication
- Section 8B Cities and towns; right to replace lost funds deposited; liquidation or insolvency of depository bank
- Section 8C Cities and towns; acquisition of land for conservation or recreation purposes in anticipation of state or federal reimbursement of expense; temporary debt outside limit authorized
- Section 9 Districts; right to borrow money; purposes; amount
- Section 10 Debt limit
- Section 11 Debt retirement; provision for earlier payment
- Section 12 Repealed, 1946, 358, Sec. 16
- Section 13, 13A Repealed, 1971, 766, Sec. 11
- Section 14 Liability for lawful debts
- Section 15 Liability for legal debts contracted under special acts
- Section 16 Issuance; procedure; form; contracts with banking or financial institutions
- Section 16A Facsimile signature
- Section 16B Facsimile seal; validity
- Section 16C Repealed, 1984, 400, Sec. 3
- Section 17 Temporary loans; refund; repayment
- Section 17A Repealed, 1992, 143, Sec. 3
- Section 18 Discount of notes
- Section 19 Issuance of notes payable on demand forbidden; procedure for repaying debts; consolidated municipal purpose loans; repayment schedule for approved school project loans
- Section 19A Inability to pay interest or principal of bonds, notes or certificates of indebtedness; notice; certification to state treasurer; payment by state treasurer
- Section 20 Proceeds from sale of bonds; restrictions on use; disposition of premiums
- Section 20A Advances made in anticipation of proceeds
- Section 21 Call and redemption prior to maturity
- Section 21A Refunding bonds; issuance; present values
- Section 22 Rate of interest
- Section 22A Insurance, letters or lines of credit for bonds or notes; trust agreements
- Section 22B Bonds and notes; official statements; advertising; collateral tax consequences to social security recipients
- Section 22C Security for bonds or notes; insurance, letters or lines of credit, trust agreements
- Section 23 Forms for notes
- Section 24 Authentication; certification
- Section 24A Bearer instruments
- Section 25 Payments; notice to director of accounts
- Section 26 Fees for certification
- Section 27 Certification; evidence of liability
- Section 27A Effect of provisions on power to issue notes
- Section 28 Report to director of accounts required
- Section 28A Applicability of finance law to school districts
- Section 28B Applicability of finance law to planning districts
- Section 28C Management of solid waste; project costs; debt obligations
- Section 29 Repealed, 1969, 849, Sec. 48; 1971, 766, Sec. 11
- Section 30 Determination of amount
- Section 31 Liabilities in excess of appropriations forbidden; exceptions
- Section 31A Report of estimated expenses; period covered; contents
- Section 31B Repealed, 1969, 505, Sec. 6
- Section 31C Construction contracts; certificate as to availability of funds; effect of certificate upon defense of insufficiency of appropriations
- Section 31D Snow and ice removal; emergency expenditures; reporting requirements
- Section 32 Submission to city council; procedure for approval, rejection or alteration
- Section 33 Power of council to add to appropriation; conditions; limitations
- Section 33A Salary provisions in budget; requirements and limitations
- Section 33B Transfer of appropriations; restrictions
- Section 34 Repealed, 1969, 849, Sec. 48; 1971, 766, Sec. 11
- Section 35 Towns and districts; right to petition for an audit or installation of accounting system
- Section 36 Cities; right to petition for an audit or installation of accounting system
- Section 37 Duties of director with respect to installation of accounting system
- Section 38 Uniformity of accounting systems
- Section 39 Results of audit; report to municipality
- Section 40 Audit of accounts; frequency
- Section 41 Expenses of auditing; payment
- Section 42 Audits by private accountants; required reports
- Section 42A Pilot program for audits of public functions of city, town, county, etc. where irregularities or illegal acts are suspected; establishment
- Section 43 Accounting reports; returns; forms
- Section 44 Reports of municipal statistics; publication
- Section 45 Powers of director; attendance of witnesses; production of books and documents
- Section 46 Destruction of records
CHAPTER 44A QUALIFIED BOND ACT
- Section 1 Definitions
- Section 2 Application to qualify bonds; investigation; costs
- Section 3 Resolution of board to authorize qualified bonds; release
- Section 4 Authorization to issue bonds; time for adoption of resolution
- Section 5 Recital of issuance pursuant to this act; maturity date
- Section 6 Temporary notes
- Section 7 Certification to state treasurer; payment of debt service; costs assessed
- Section 8 Covenant by commonwealth
- Section 9 Certification conclusive as to amount payable; estoppel
- Section 10 Obligation to appropriate or levy taxes to pay bonds when due; rules and regulations
- Section 11 Bonds for construction, etc. of property
- Section 11A Covenants contained in proceedings authorizing issuance of bonds
- Section 12 Commonwealth not to act as pledge or surety
CHAPTER 44B COMMUNITY PRESERVATION
- Section 1 Title
- Section 2 Definitions
- Section 3 Acceptance of Secs. 3 to 7
- Section 4 Surcharge on real property; collection
- Section 5 Community preservation committee; members; recommendations
- Section 6 Annual revenues; open space, historic resources and community housing
- Section 7 Community preservation fund
- Section 8 Surcharges; fees of registers of deeds; fees of assistant recorder
- Section 9 Massachusetts community preservation trust fund
- Section 10 Annual distributions of monies in trust fund
- Section 11 General obligation bonds or notes
- Section 12 Real property interest; deed restriction; management
- Section 13 Accurate account of recommendations and actions; records of appropriations and expenditures and of real property interests
- Section 14 State grants
- Section 15 Tort liability for destruction of real property purchased with funds from chapter
- Section 16 Amendments to amount and computation of surcharge; revocation of Secs. 3 to 7
- Section 17 Rules and regulations
CHAPTER 45 PUBLIC PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
- Section 1 Definitions
- Section 2 Board of park commissioners; membership; tenure; vacancies; removals
- Section 3 Acquisition of property for parks
- Section 4 Connecting ways; extent of power of eminent domain
- Section 5 Powers and duties of boards of park commissioners
- Section 5A Leasing of concessions; bids
- Section 6 Funds received for betterments; disposition
- Section 7 Erection of buildings in parks
- Section 8 Use of parks by military forces
- Section 9 Annual reports of park commissioners
- Section 10 Repealed, 1924, 209, Sec. 3
- Section 11 Restrictions on height of buildings on parkways
- Section 12 Authorization for improvement of open spaces
- Section 13 Trespassing in parks; destruction of park property; penalty
- Section 14 Playgrounds; acquisition; use; management
- Section 15 Playgrounds for minors
- Section 16 Procedure for accepting law requiring playgrounds for minors
- Section 17 Temporary playgrounds
- Section 17A Use of streets for recreation or playground purposes
- Section 18 Persons entitled to use playgrounds
- Section 18A Chain link metal basketball nets prohibited
- Section 19 Acquisition of property; use
- Section 20 Method of acquisition
- Section 21 City or town forests; management
- Section 22 Buildings; erection; lease
- Section 23 Limitation on use of funds
- Section 23A Authorization
- Section 23B Petition
- Section 23C Establishment; management
- Section 24 Penalty for violation of rules and regulations made under authority of chapter
- Section 25 Emergency telephone numbers; posting
CHAPTER 46 RETURN AND REGISTRY OF BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS
- Section 1 Certificates of birth, marriage, death and acknowledgments and adjudications of paternity; contents; residence defined
- Section 1A Birth records of abandoned children or foundlings
- Section 1B Filing reports of out-of-state births or adoptions
- Section 1C Filing reports of out-of-state deaths
- Section 1D Adoption of surname upon marriage
- Section 1E Definitions
- Section 2 Separate registries for births, deaths and marriages
- Section 2A Disclosure of information about vital statistics; conditions
- Section 2B Pre-adoption birth certificates; application for inspection by adopted persons
- Section 2C Pre-adoption birth certificates; access by child of deceased adopted parent
- Section 3 Physician’s record of birth; out of hospital birth
- Section 3A Hospital administrator’s duties; report; verification
- Section 3B Birth without immediate admittance to hospital for postnatal care; report
- Section 3C Children born out of wedlock; information regarding benefits and responsibilities of parentage; voluntary acknowledgment of parentage
- Section 3D Acknowledgments and adjudications of paternity; records available to IV-D agency
- Section 4 Birth without attending physician; report; recording; petition; hearing
- Section 4A Local officials; processing of birth certificates
- Section 4B Artificial insemination
- Section 5 Repealed, 1968, 84, Sec. 5
- Section 6 Notification of births and deaths
- Section 7 Report of births and deaths at sea
- Section 7A Report of births on airplanes; penalty for violation
- Section 8 Penalty for failure to report births and deaths
- Section 9 Death certificates; issuance; contents; declaration of death by nurse, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant
- Section 9A Repealed, 1977, 598, Sec. 1
- Section 9B Penalties
- Section 10 Death certificates of veterans; contents; penalty for violation
- Section 11 Duties of undertakers
- Section 11/2 Certificates of birth resulting in stillbirth; filing
- Section 12 Certified copies of birth certificates and death records; transmission to parents or next of kin; exceptions
- Section 13 Correction of records
- Section 13A Correction of birth records; procedure
- Section 14 Penalty for false returns
- Section 15 Blank forms for returns of births
- Section 16 Blank forms for towns and boards of health; contents; distribution
- Section 17 Birth records; state registrar; originals; certified copies
- Section 17A Marriage records; state registrar; originals; certified copies
- Section 17B Death records; state registrar; originals; certified copies
- Section 17C Original forms and evidence of amendments and corrections in birth, marriage and death records
- Section 17D Amended birth, marriage and death records; certified copies to holders of originals
- Section 18 Information on forms; legible writing required
- Section 19 Use of records as evidence
- Section 19A Unauthorized reproduction of records; penalty
- Section 19B Certified copies of birth records; restricted information regarding mother
- Section 19C Authentication of copies of birth, marriage and death records; use as evidence
- Section 20 Births and deaths in Tewksbury Hospital; records
- Section 21 Repealed, 1976, 486, Sec. 15
- Section 22 Registrars of vital statistics
- Section 23 Prosecution of persons failing to file required reports
- Section 24 Statements of births and deaths; penalty
- Section 25 Disposition of fines and forfeitures
- Section 26 Fees
- Section 27 Clerks; penalty for neglecting required duties
- Section 28 Administration of oaths
- Section 29 Attestation of certificates
- Section 30 Alteration, forgery or counterfeiting; penalty
- Section 31 Adoption contact information registry
CHAPTER 47 INFIRMARIES
- Section 1 Authorization
- Section 2 Management
- Section 3 Meetings of directors; promulgation of rules and regulations
- Section 4 Joint infirmaries
- Section 5 Joint management
- Section 6 Membership of joint board; vacancies
- Section 7 Expenses, payment
- Section 8 Records of admissions
- Section 9 Discontinuance
- Section 10 Rates for non-indigent persons
- Section 11 Detention of children; conditions
- Section 12 Repealed, 1931, 426, Sec. 163
CHAPTER 48 FIRES, FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND FIRE DISTRICTS
- Section 1 Appointment; penalty for failure to give notice of acceptance
- Section 2 Duties; badge of office
- Section 3 Demolition of buildings
- Section 4 Powers of fire officials; demolition of buildings
- Section 5 Indemnification for demolition
- Section 6 Powers and duties; commanding assistance
- Section 7 Powers and duties; direction of fire fighting operations; penalty for noncompliance
- Section 8 Appointment; tenure
- Section 9 Duties; fire prevention
- Section 10 Powers; appointment of assistants; commandeering of people and property
- Section 11 Penalty for refusal of aid
- Section 12 Compensation
- Section 13 Setting open air fires; conditions and restrictions; penalty for violation
- Section 14 Repealed, 1930, 401, Sec. 2
- Section 15 Powers of arrest
- Section 16 Definitions
- Section 16A Handling of slash
- Section 17 Disposition of slash cut near highways
- Section 18 Disposition of slash cut by public utility companies
- Section 19 Enforcement of regulations prohibiting accumulations of slash
- Section 20 Penalty for violating provisions prohibiting accumulations of slash
- Section 20A Repealed, 1950, 442
- Section 21 Spark arresters; requirements; penalty for noncompliance
- Section 22 Inspection of machines requiring spark arresters
- Section 23 Fire observation towers
- Section 24 Firefighting expenditures
- Section 25 Duties; extinguishment of fires; investigation of causes; posting of warning notices
- Section 26 Penalty for destruction of warning notices
- Section 27 Liability for trespass
- Section 28 State fire warden; powers and duties; reports
- Section 28A Repealed, 1971, 571
- Section 28B Fire patrols in dry areas; authorization; payment of costs
- Section 28C Closing of forest lands during dry periods; penalty for trespassing
- Section 29 to 35 Repealed, 1997, 51, Sec. 12
- Section 36 Promotion of call men to permanent force; conditions
- Section 36A Promotion of call men to regular force; conditions; qualifications
- Section 37 Application of sections relating to appointment of call men to regular force
- Section 38 Repealed, 1997, 51, Sec. 13
- Section 39 Compensation of persons employed in fire department; procedure for acquisition
- Section 40 Certificates of employment; penalty for refusing to file
- Section 41 Application of sections relating to compensation for enginemen and fire department employees
- Section 42 Establishment; appointment of fire chief; compensation; removal; powers and duties
- Section 42A Establishment in towns under direction of selectmen; appointment of fire chief, other officers and firemen; compensation; removal; regulations; control of department
- Section 43 Duties of fire chief; role of forest warden
- Section 44 Application of sections establishing a fire department and appointing and defining duties of fire chief
- Section 44A Private fire fighting units; contracts
- Section 45 Engineers; appointments; removals; vacancies
CHAPTER 49 FENCES, FENCE VIEWERS, POUNDS AND FIELD DRIVERS
- Section 1 Fence viewers; appointment; tenure
- Section 2 Definition of fences
- Section 3 Maintenance of partition fences
- Section 4 Failure to maintain partition fence; proceedings by adjoining occupant
- Section 5 Remedy for repair of deficient fence
- Section 6 Disputes regarding repairs; arbitration
- Section 7 Remedy for repair of deficient fence assigned by fence viewers
- Section 8 Remedy for repairing more than just share of partition fence
- Section 9 Construction and maintenance of fences between lands divided by a river
- Section 10 Fences on lands owned in severalty and occupied in common; construction
- Section 11 Maintenance of fences surrounding land laying common
- Section 12 Purchase of rights in fence
- Section 13 Enclosing of formerly unenclosed land; liability of owner; exception
- Section 14 Boundary disputes
- Section 15 Rebuilding of fence on true boundary; duties of adjoining owners
- Section 16 Fence viewers; jurisdiction where fence is on town boundary
- Section 17 Water fences
- Section 18 Fence viewers; powers
- Section 19 Penalty for misfeasance
- Section 20 Fees
- Section 21 Definition; remedy of injured occupant
- Section 22 Pounds; establishment; appointment of keeper
- Section 23 Pounds; penalty for injuring
- Section 24 Duties of field driver; taking up untended animals
- Section 25 Duties of keeper; impounding of untended animals
- Section 26 Fees of field driver and pound keeper
- Section 27 Payment of fees
- Section 28 Use of premises of field driver for keeping impounded animals; conditions
- Section 29 Remedies for damage done by untended animals
- Section 30 Care of distrained animals
- Section 31 Duties of distrainor
- Section 32 Release of distrained animals; conditions
- Section 33 Notice of impounding
- Section 34 Publication of notice of impounding
- Section 35 Determination of amount of damages in dispute
- Section 36 Procedure for settlement of claim
- Section 37 Sale of animals to satisfy claim
- Section 38 Disposition of proceeds
- Section 39 Escaped or rescued animals; right to retake
- Section 40 Penalty for rescuing distrained animals
- Section 41 Rights of owner in distress proceedings
- Section 42 Repealed, 1963, 185
CHAPTER 49A USE OF CERTAIN ANIMALS FOR SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION, EXPERIMENT OR INSTRUCTION [Repealed, 1983, 631, Sec. 1.]