SENATE DOCKET, NO. 3630        FILED ON: 1/29/2026

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3026

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Joanne M. Comerford and Susannah M. Whipps

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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 providing equal opportunity for residents to vote on establishment of the Great River Regional School District.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Joanne M. Comerford

Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester

 

Susannah M. Whipps

2nd Franklin

2/2/2026


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 3630        FILED ON: 1/29/2026

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3026

By Ms. Comerford and Ms.Whipps of Athol, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 3026) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Joanne M. Comerford and Susannah M. Whipps for legislation to provide equal opportunity for residents to vote on establishment of the Great River Regional School District.  Municipalities and Regional Government.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

_______________

 

An Act providing equal opportunity for residents to vote on establishment of the Great River Regional School District.

 

 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 15 of chapter 71 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the towns of Bernardston, Gill, Leyden, Northfield, Warwick and Montague shall have placed on the ballot at the first annual or special town election following the effective date of this act a question to the voters of accepting the creation of a new regional school district. The question on the printed ballots to be used at such election shall be in substantially the following form:

 “Shall the town accept the provisions of sections 16 to 16I, inclusive, of chapter 71 of the General Laws providing for the establishment of a regional school district, consisting of the towns of Bernardston, Gill, Leyden, Northfield, Warwick and Montague, and for construction, maintenance and operation of a regional school by said district in accordance with the provisions of a proposed agreement filed with the select board?”

 If a majority of the voters present and voting on said question in each of the towns shall vote in the affirmative the proposed regional school district shall be deemed to be established forthwith, but not otherwise.

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