SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2792        FILED ON: 10/7/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2550

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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October 7, 2021

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives,

Pursuant to the provisions of Article II, Section 8, Paragraph 1, Clause (2) of the Amendments to the Constitution, as appearing in Article LXXXIX of said Amendments, I am filing for your consideration the attached legislation entitled “An Act Ratifying the Town Meeting of the Town of Rowley.”

I am filing this special legislation at the request of the Rowley Select Board.

The legislation ratifies and confirms all acts, proceedings, and votes taken by the Town at its Annual and Special Town Meetings held on May 3, 2021.  The ratification serves to resolve in advance any question that might arise from the fact that, due to a minor administrative oversight, the Town Meeting warrant materials were posted only 13 days in advance of the meeting and not the full 14 days required by the Town’s bylaws for the Annual Town Meeting.  The warrant materials were, however, posted in compliance with the 7 day advance notice requirements of the General Laws.  In addition, the Town mailed the warrant materials to every household in advance of Town Meeting.  

Timely ratification of the Town Meeting vote is necessary to permit the Town to proceed with borrowings needed to purchase a major piece of capital equipment that the Town expects will be delivered very shortly.  Ratification will also confirm certain zoning changes approved at Town Meeting.  I therefore urge your prompt consideration of this bill.

Respectfully submitted

Charles D. Baker,

Governor

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2550

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act ratifying the town meeting of the town of Rowley.

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 any general or special law or by-law to the contrary, all acts and proceedings taken by the town of Rowley at the annual town meeting and the special town meeting held on May 3, 2021 and all actions taken pursuant thereto are hereby ratified, validated and confirmed to the same extent as if the warrant for the town meetings had been posted in full compliance with law.

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