Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the failure of the Ashfield Water District to comply seasonably with sections 42G to 42J, inclusive, of chapter 40 of the General Laws and sections 1 and 2 of chapter 80 of the General Laws relating to the construction or extension of a water supply system in the Ashfield Water District, including the installation of a new well, the Ashfield Water District may levy such betterment assessments arising from the construction of said water supply and distribution system. The time for taking such votes, orders and acts to levy such betterments is extended until 1 year after the effective date of this act. All such votes, orders and acts providing for the levy of the betterment assessments and providing for the method of such assessments are validated, ratified and confirmed, notwithstanding the district's failure to vote, order and act within the time periods prescribed in sections 42G to 42I, inclusive, of said chapter 40; provided, that nothing in this act shall be construed to impair or affect the rights of owners of such land as has been subject to such betterment assessments.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.