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General Laws

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Section 1Nature and scope
Section 1ADistrict defined
Section 1BDistricts; power to sue and be sued; insurance; defense of civil actions
Section 2Towns; power to sue and be sued
Section 3Towns; power to hold, lease and convey property
Section 3ACities, 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 therewith
Section 4Towns; power to contract; purposes
Section 4AGovernmental units; joint operation of public activities; termination of agreement; “governmental unit” defined; financial safeguards
Section 4BRepealed, 1989, 687, Sec. 8
Section 4B1/2Repealed, 1989, 687, Sec. 9
Section 4CRepealed, 1965, 763, Sec. 1
Section 4DContracts with state or public authority for construction of public works
Section 4EEducation collaboratives
Section 4FPurchase of clothing or apparel; restrictions
Section 4GRepealed, 1989, 687, Sec. 10
Section 4HRepealed, 1989, 687, Sec. 11
Section 4IGrowth and development policy committees; definitions
Section 4JPublic safety mutual aid agreement; procedure for joining agreement; requests to receive assistance; rights and responsibilities of requesting and sending parties
Section 4KPublic works municipal mutual aid agreement; procedure for joining agreement; advisory committee; requests to receive assistance; rights and responsibilities of requesting and sending parties
Section 5Appropriation of money for exercise of corporate powers
Section 5ACities; reserve funds for extraordinary expenditures; establishment
Section 5BStabilization funds; establishment
Section 5CDistricts; reserve funds for extraordinary expenditures; establishment
Section 5DContributory retirement system funds; recovery of pension costs
Section 5EUnemployment compensation fund; deposit and investment; payments
Section 5FAmbulance services; recreational facilities; service charges; credit card payments
Section 5GMunicipal waterways improvement and maintenance funds
Section 5HCentennial celebrations; funds
Section 6Towns; reserve funds for extraordinary expenditures; establishment
Section 6AAdvertising
Section 6BUniforms and other outer clothing for members of police and fire departments and shellfish constabulary; clothing allowance
Section 6CRemoval of ice and snow from private ways; conditions
Section 6DRemoval of ice and snow from private ways; submission to electorate; ballot
Section 6E to 6IRepealed, 1977, 693, Sec. 1
Section 6JStormy weather work clothes; purchase
Section 6KUniforms of public health nurses; purchase
Section 6LStormy weather work clothes; lease or rental
Section 6MRepealed, 1977, 693, Sec. 1
Section 6NPrivate ways; temporary repairs, ordinances or by-laws
Section 6OGroup life insurance premiums; permanent employees
Section 7Removal of ice and snow from sidewalks in towns
Section 7APrevention of automobile accidents
Section 8Enforcement of laws relating to civil service
Section 8ADevelopment and industrial commission; establishment; duties; membership; tenure; removals; vacancies
Section 8BCouncil on aging; establishment; annual reports; recommendations by department; clerks and employees
Section 8CConservation commission; establishment; powers and duties
Section 8DHistorical commission; establishment; powers and duties
Section 8EYouth commission; establishment; powers and duties
Section 8FConsumer advisory commission; establishment; annual report; clerks and employees
Section 8GMutual police aid programs; agreements
Section 8HRecycling programs
Section 8IEnergy resources commission; powers and duties
Section 8JDisability commission; powers and duties; members; terms
Section 8KMapping commissions; powers and duties; members
Section 9Lease of building space for veterans’ organizations; limitations; erection of armories; celebration of holidays
Section 9ARepealed, 1949, 563, Sec. 2
Section 10Public markets; establishment; conditions; regulation
Section 11Prevention of forest fires
Section 11ABeach districts; formation
Section 12Public baths and wash houses
Section 12ARepealed, 1941, 598, Sec. 5
Section 12BBeaches for public and recreational uses; formation of district; membership of control commission; annual audit
Section 12CConstruction of beach facilities; rules and regulations
Section 12DAuthority to incur indebtedness; limitation
Section 12ETreasurer of district; appointment; bond; powers and duties
Section 12FEmployees
Section 12GLeasing of concessions; procedure
Section 13Municipal buildings insurance fund; management; use
Section 13AWorkers’ compensation insurance funds; management
Section 13BResidence quarters for school physicians
Section 13CWorkers’ compensation claims reserve funds
Section 13DReserve fund for future payment of accrued liabilities for compensated absences due employee or officer of town upon termination of employment
Section 14Purchase of land; conditions; limitations; definition
Section 15Abandonment of rights in realty; conditions
Section 15ATransfer of land; procedure
Section 15BWater supply works; sale or exchange of property
Section 15CScenic road designations; improvements; fines
Section 16Street sprinkling
Section 17Assessment
Section 18Collection of assessment
Section 19Appropriation of money for proving common necessaries during war or other public exigency; purposes; use of funds
Section 20Selling price of necessities; accounting
Section 21By-laws of towns; purpose
Section 21APowers of cities and towns; regulation of working conditions of employees
Section 21BPersonnel relations review board; establishment; purpose; “grievance”, defined
Section 21CUnion conventions; leave of absence
Section 21C1/2Employees who are veterans; participation in Veterans or Memorial Day exercises; time off granted; exceptions
Section 21DNoncriminal disposition of ordinance, by-law, rule or regulation violations
Section 21EMunicipal charges and bills; due dates; interest
Section 22Regulation of vehicles; penalties for violation; disabled veterans and handicapped persons excepted from parking violations; taxicab licenses
Section 22AParking meters; fees; exemption from fees for disabled veterans and handicapped persons; bicycle locking devices; motorcycle parking; restricted parking areas for veterans and handicapped persons
Section 22BAcquisition and maintenance of off-street parking areas; conditions; exceptions
Section 22COff-street parking lots; installation of parking meters and other devices
Section 22DVehicles parked in violation of law; removal
Section 22ELease of air space above structures and facilities
Section 22FLicense fees; service charges; acceptance of section
Section 22GFunds received from fines for handicap parking violations; deposits in account; expenditures
Section 23Powers of cities; regulation of erection and maintenance of balustrades; penalty for violation
Section 24Powers of cities; regulation of the quality of ice; penalty for violation
Section 25 to 30BRepealed, 1954, 368, Sec. 1
Section 31Powers of towns; performance of duty imposed by by-laws
Section 32Validation of by-laws; procedure
Section 32APublication of ordinances
Section 32BPublication of compilations of zoning ordinances; supplements; distribution and sale
Section 33Rules and regulations promulgated by town boards; filing
Section 34Town; erection and maintenance of lockup; penalty for noncompliance
Section 35Keeper; appointment; oath; penalty for failure to appoint keeper
Section 36Keeper; powers; compensation; fees
Section 36AReport of death or suicide of lockup inmates; records of attempts at, or threats of, suicide
Section 36BCells; protective coverings, electronic audio systems and electronic security devices
Section 36CPolice; training in suicide detection, intervention and prevention
Section 37Accessibility of lockup to police; penalty for refusing access
Section 37ACurfews; imposition; penalties
Section 38Purchase, development and use of public water supply
Section 39Conveying water through another town; liability for damages
Section 39AWater supply or distributing system; establishment; maintenance and operation; exception
Section 39BAcquisition of land and water; conditions
Section 39CConstruction and maintenance of dams, wells, reservoirs and other buildings; conditions
Section 39DSurveys
Section 39EManagement of water system
Section 39FDamages
Section 39GPollution of water; damage to property; penalties
Section 39HRight to aid other governmental units; compensation
Section 39IWater meters; testing
Section 39JPricing system; costs
Section 39J1/2Repealed, 1990, 177, Secs. 102, 103
Section 39KDrinking water protection district; establishment; commission; pricing system; fund
Section 39LWater or sewer service charges; descending unit rate basis
Section 40Repealed, 1985, 592, Sec. 2
Section 41Protection of water supply; conditions
Section 41AUse of water in emergencies
Section 41B, 41CRepealed, 1968, 548, Sec. 2
Section 42Laying pipes and conduits
Section 42ACollection of rates and charges for supplying of water; lien for delinquent charges
Section 42BEffective date of lien; termination; enforcement
Section 42CUnpaid charges; report to tax collector
Section 42DUnpaid charges; collection as part of property tax
Section 42EAbatements; appeals
Section 42FRecovery of delinquent charges from tenants
Section 42GDistribution of water; payment of costs by special assessment
Section 42HUniform rate of assessment
Section 42IRecordation of assessment to establish lien on property; amount of assessment; extension of time for payment
Section 42JDeferral of charges
Section 42KAssessment of betterments
Section 43Authorization for laying of pipes for the transmission of steam or hot water
Section 43APermission to construct pipelines for conveying petroleum or by-products thereof; conditions
Section 44Improvement districts; purposes; membership; tenure; powers and duties
Section 44ARegional refuse disposal planning committee
Section 44BRegional refuse disposal planning board; study of creation of district; expenses of board; refuse disposal facility defined
Section 44CRegional refuse disposal planning board; agreement for establishment of district
Section 44DReport of board
Section 44EAcceptance of recommendation; election; establishment of district
Section 44FGeneral powers of district
Section 44GExercise of powers; officers of committee
Section 44HMaintenance and operating expenses; debts; determination and apportionment
Section 44IAnnual audit and report; costs
Section 44JSale, lease or license of lands or facilities to refuse disposal districts
Section 44KBonds and notes; limit of indebtedness
Section 44LIssuance of debt obligations to pay for project costs
Section 45Recognizance; permission to designate an agent
Section 46Certification of claims
Section 47Town seal; establishment; use
Section 48Establishment of suitable place to keep books; penalty for noncompliance; custody of books and records
Section 49Annual town reports; publication; penalty for noncompliance
Section 50Annual town report; copy to state library
Section 51Publication of information concerning persons receiving aid from governmental agencies forbidden; exceptions; penalties
Section 52Size of official letters
Section 53Restraint of illegal appropriations; ten taxpayer actions
Section 54Building permit restrictions; availability of water supply; disposal of debris
Section 54AState consent to issuance of permit to build on lands formerly used as a railroad right-of-way; damages in absence thereof
Section 55Annuity contract, custodial account or other investment for hospital employees
Section 56Percentages of local tax levy for property
Section 57Local licenses and permits; denial, revocation or suspension for failure to pay municipal taxes or charges
Section 58Municipal charges lien
Section 59Tax increment financing plan
Section 60Urban center housing tax increment financing zone (UCH-TIF)
Section 60AManufacturing workforce training tax increment financing plan
Section 61Definitions applicable to Secs. 61 to 69
Section 62Contracts for the inspection, maintenance, repair or modification of water storage facility authorized
Section 63Term of contract awarded under Sec. 62 and option for renewal or extension; contents of contract and obligations thereunder; requirements relating to capital modifications, capital repairs, installation of equipment and systems or second interior or exterior coating
Section 64Solicitation of proposals; statement of compliance with occupation health and safety requirements
Section 65Acceptance of proposal and award of contract; notice; statement of reasons for acceptance
Section 66Terms and conditions of contract awarded under Secs. 61 to 69; bond or other security for the obligation of selected offeror
Section 67Project approval certificates from department of environmental protection
Section 68Contracts made in violation of Secs. 61 to 69 void and unenforceable
Section 69Public notice of request for proposal