HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4787 FILED ON: 1/6/2010
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4413
|
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the Year Two Thousand Ten
_______________
An Act to provide the voters of the town of bridgewater a choice of charters for new forms of government..
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. At the first regular or special municipal election held in and for the Town of Bridgewater after the effective date of this Act, including a special election just for the purpose of the questions set forth in this Act, the voters of the town of Bridgewater shall be afforded an opportunity to vote on the following ballot questions. In the event that this Act takes effect prior to April 24, 2010, the date of the presently scheduled 2010 annual election of the town, then the town may proceed with the ballot questions as set forth in this Section 1 if practicable in obtaining ballots therefore, notwithstanding the time periods set forth in Section 42C of Chapter 54 of the General Laws.
Question One: Shall the town adopt a new Charter for a Town Manager-Town Council form of Government as set forth in the Act to Provide the Voters of the Town of Bridgewater a Choice of Charters for New Forms of Government
Yes--------------------- No-----------------
Question Two: Shall the town adopt a new Charter for a Town Manager-Selectmen-Open Town Meeting form of Government as set forth in the Act to Provide the Voters of the Town of Bridgewater a Choice of Charters for New Forms of Government
Yes---------------- No-------------------
A summary of each form of government may be provided with the ballot questions, as may be prepared by attorneys for the town.
Section 2. If neither Question One nor Question Two set forth in section 1 of this Act passes by a majority of the votes cast, then neither form of government shall take effect and the Town of Bridgewater shall continue with the present form of town meeting-selectmen Government. If either Question one or Question two set forth in section 1 of this Act passes by a majority of the votes cast, then that form of government that has obtained the majority favorable vote, shall take effect in accordance with the terms set forth in the Charter so approved.
If both Question One and Question Two passes by a majority of the votes cast, then that Charter for a new form of government that obtains the highest number of votes cast in favor shall take effect in accordance with the terms set forth in the Charter so approved.
Section 3. Charter for a TOWN MANAGER-TOWN COUNCIL form of government. In the event that the voters of the Town adopt the Charter for a Town Manager-Town Council Form of Government pursuant to section 2 of this Act, the attached Charter shall become effective in accordance with its terms:
Section 4. Charter for a TOWN MANAGER-SELECTMEN-OPEN TOWN MEETING form of Government. In the event that the voters of the Town adopt the Charter for a Town Manager-Selectmen-Open Town Meeting Form of Government pursuant to sections 1 and 2 of this Act, the attached Charter shall become effective in accordance with its terms;
The Board of Selectmen is authorized to consent to any non-substantive language changes as may be proposed by the General Court or counsel for the General Court.