SECTION 1. Article VIII of the charter of the city known as the town of Bridgewater, which is on file with the state archivist, as provided by section 12 of chapter 43B of the General Laws, is hereby amended by striking out section 8-2 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

          Section 8-2. Citizen Referendum Procedures; Referendum Petition; Effect on Final Passage

         If within 30 days after the final passage of a measure, a petition signed by voters equal in number to at least 5 per cent of the total number of voters and addressed to the town council, protesting against the measure or any part thereof taking effect, is filed with the elected town clerk, the same shall thereupon and thereby be suspended from taking effect and the town council, as the case may be, shall immediately reconsider the measure or part thereof and if such measure or part thereof is not entirely rescinded, the town council shall submit the same, to a vote of the voters either at the next regular town election or at a special election which may, in its discretion, be called for the purpose and the measure or part thereof shall forthwith become null and void unless a majority of the voters voting on the same at the election vote in favor thereof.

 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon approval by a majority of the voters of the city known as the town of Bridgewater, but not otherwise.