SENATE DOCKET, NO. 520        FILED ON: 2/1/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 460

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Brendan P. Crighton

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to allow Saugus town meeting to adopt a process to allow non-binding resolutions.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Brendan P. Crighton

Third Essex

 

Jessica Ann Giannino

16th Suffolk

2/1/2021


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 520        FILED ON: 2/1/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 460

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 460) of Brendan P. Crighton and Jessica Ann Giannino (by vote of the town) for legislation to allow Saugus town meeting to adopt a process to allow non-binding resolutions.  Election Laws.  [Local approval received]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

An Act to allow Saugus town meeting to adopt a process to allow non-binding resolutions.

 

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 Section 10 of Chapter 39, the Saugus Town Meeting may adopt a process to introduce non-binding resolutions in accordance with the language and procedural guidelines described below:

To add a new section 214.00 to the Town of Saugus Bylaws in subcategory 200 of "Government of Town Meeting" that will be titled "Resolutions". Any Town Meeting Member may propose a non-binding resolution, within 48 hours written or electronic notice to the Saugus Town Clerk not counting weekends and holidays. The Saugus Town Clerk will promptly notify the Moderator upon receipt of said resolution and forward said resolution to Town Meeting Members.

Resolutions may not seek to appropriate funds, propose zoning or general bylaw changes or have any binding effect on the operations of town government."

Resolutions will not be considered as actions of the Town Meeting as defined by Section 10 of Chapter 39 of the Massachusetts General Laws but rather statements of opinion in accordance with past practice. Resolutions will be acted upon during the next Town Meeting or with a Town Meeting that is temporarily adjourned, whichever comes first. A majority vote of the quorum will be required to adopt a resolution.

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