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General Laws

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Section 1Town officers to be elected; tenure
Section 1ADistrict defined
Section 1BAppointed town offices and boards; acceptance by voters
Section 2Establishment of new board or office; effect; increase or decrease in board membership or number of officers
Section 3City officers; powers and duties
Section 4Penalty for failure to choose selectmen or assessors
Section 4AMembers of town and district boards eligible to hold other offices; salary
Section 5Voting list; use
Section 6Use of official ballots; towns authorized to provide for
Section 7Use of official ballot; determination of extent
Section 8Handling of ballots
Section 9Handling of ballots after tabulation; sealing
Section 10Failure to elect; procedure to fill vacancy; notice
Section 11Appointment to fill vacancy in town office
Section 12City clerks; tenure
Section 13Bond of town clerk
Section 13ABond of city clerk
Section 13BRenewal of licenses and permits; delegation of authority
Section 14Temporary clerk
Section 15Town clerks; powers and duties
Section 15ACertification of appropriations
Section 16Oaths of town officers; return of certificate
Section 17Filing of city contracts; penalty for noncompliance
Section 18Assistant city clerk
Section 18ARecords of city clerk; attestation
Section 18BFacsimile signatures of city clerk or assistant city clerk
Section 19Assistant town clerks; powers and duties; compensation
Section 19ACertificate of appointment or election of clerk; filing requirements
Section 19BCity and town clerks; tenure of office
Section 19CAcceptance of Sec. 19B; procedure; petition
Section 19DRemoval or suspension of clerk having permanent tenure
Section 19EProcedure for filling vacancy following death or removal of clerk having permanent tenure
Section 19FAdditional compensation for serving as clerk of city council
Section 19GAdditional compensation for serving as member of registrars of voters
Section 19HMaximum amount of additional compensation for serving as member of registrars of voters
Section 19IAdditional compensation for serving in other city or town positions
Section 19JAdditional compensation for serving as member of board of registrars of voters
Section 19KAdditional compensation for town clerk
Section 20Selectmen; duties and oath; penalty
Section 21Authorization for selectmen to act as or appoint other town officers
Section 21ARemoval of persons appointed to positions of chief of police or head of municipal police department
Section 22Officers appointed by selectmen; tenure; compensation; vacancies
Section 23Rescission of vote by selectmen; election of other officers; tenure
Section 23AExecutive secretary or town administrator; appointment; tenure
Section 23BTown departments; investigations and reports
Section 23CPersons acting on behalf of selectmen; appointment and removal
Section 23DMunicipal data processing centers
Section 24Assessors; number; method of selection; tenure
Section 24ARepealed, 1937, 129, Sec. 1
Section 25Appointment by selectmen; tenure of office
Section 25AAssistant assessors; appointment by assessors; duties; compensation; tenure
Section 26Appointment by selectmen where town so votes
Section 26AEmployment of counsel in certain proceedings
Section 27Appointment upon failure of incumbents to perform duties
Section 28Powers and duties of assistant assessors
Section 29Oath of office; penalty for failure to take oath
Section 30Penalty for false valuation
Section 30AVacancies; effect on powers of remaining assessors
Section 30BAgreements for joint and cooperative assessment, classification and valuation of property
Section 31 to 34Repealed, 1967, 658, Sec. 5
Section 34ARepealed, 1931, 426, Sec. 156
Section 34BIdentification of husbands and wives in documents and communications
Section 35Bond of treasurer; duties
Section 36Powers of treasurer; prosecution of actions
Section 37Treasurer acting as tax collector; appointment of deputies
Section 38Powers of tax collector
Section 38ACollection of accounts due city or town; powers and duties of tax collector
Section 39Collection of taxes by constable
Section 39AAssistant treasurer
Section 39BRemoval of treasurers or city or town collectors
Section 39CAssistant collector
Section 40Temporary town officers
Section 41Payment of compensation; oath
Section 41ADelivery of payroll checks to department heads
Section 41BPayment of public employees by direct bank credits
Section 41CDeposits in credit union; pension or retirement allowances
Section 42Contents of pay roll
Section 43Penalty
Section 43ADefense of actions against treasurers and collectors; indemnification
Section 44Sinking fund commissioners; election; tenure; appointment of secretary and treasurer
Section 45Board of commissioners of trust funds; membership; powers and duties
Section 45ACommissioners in towns under five thousand population
Section 46Town treasurer; duties; bond
Section 47Powers and duties
Section 48Tenure of city auditor
Section 49Vacancy in office of auditor
Section 49AAssistant auditors; powers and duties; compensation
Section 50Powers and duties of auditors
Section 51Accounts payable; notice to creditors; part payments
Section 52Approval of bills
Section 53Auditing of public trusts
Section 54Notice to auditor of payment of public funds to treasurer
Section 54ANotification to assessors of receipts
Section 55Town accountant; tenure; powers and duties
Section 56Warrants for payment of bills
Section 57Books of account and financial records
Section 58Duties; notice of condition of appropriations; record of appropriations
Section 59Annual estimates; furnishing to town accountant
Section 60Table of estimated appropriations
Section 61Annual report
Section 61AAppointment of temporary officers upon vacancy of certain offices; tenure; bond; removal; powers and duties
Section 62Highway surveyor; duties
Section 63Road and sewer commissioners
Section 64Road commissioners; powers and duties
Section 65Sewer commissioners; powers and duties
Section 66Superintendent of streets; appointment; tenure
Section 67One superintendent of streets for two or more towns
Section 68Superintendent of streets; powers and duties
Section 69Superintendent of water or sewer department
Section 69AWater commissioners; election; tenure; quorum; vacancies
Section 69BWater commissioners; powers and duties
Section 69CSubmission of adoption of board of public works to electorate; ballot
Section 69DBoard of public works; membership; election; tenure; powers and duties
Section 69ESuperintendent of public works; appointment; powers and duties
Section 69FSubmission to voters of revocation of acceptance; conditions; effect
Section 69GOffice of lands and natural resources; establishment; powers and duties; director and assistants
Section 70Planning board; duties
Section 71Annual report
Section 72Ordinances and by-laws
Section 73Board of survey; membership; length of existence; suspension of powers and duties
Section 74Approval of plans filed by citizens
Section 75Preparation of plans by board
Section 76Substitution of new plans
Section 77Construction or alteration of public ways; restrictions
Section 78Recordation of plan; necessity of approval by board
Section 79Entry upon lands by board of survey for examinations and surveys
Section 80Establishment and discontinuance of exterior way lines
Section 81Damages
Section 81APlanning board; establishment; membership; tenure; vacancies
Section 81BPlanning board; powers and duties
Section 81CStudies and reports of board; acting as park commissioners
Section 81DMaster plan; economic development supplement
Section 81EOfficial map; purpose; recordation
Section 81FAlteration of official map; damages for injuries
Section 81GApplicability of municipal planning laws to municipal powers over public ways and parks
Section 81HPart of official map; laying out, altering or relocating public ways
Section 81IDuties of municipalities having no official map in respect to construction of ways; reference to planning board
Section 81JEstablishment and discontinuance of exterior lines of ways in municipalities with planning boards; damages for injuries
Section 81KDesignation of subdivision control law
Section 81LDefinitions
Section 81MPurpose of law
Section 81NTerritorial extent of law; acceptance by municipalities
Section 81ORegulation of new subdivisions
Section 81PApproval of plans not subject to control law; procedure
Section 81QPlanning board; adoption of rules and regulations
Section 81RWaiver of strict compliance with rules and regulations
Section 81SSubmission of preliminary plan; approval or disapproval; recording
Section 81TNotice of submission of plan; hearing
Section 81UApproval, modification or disapproval of plan by board; prerequisites for decision
Section 81VFinal approval of plan; endorsements; certificate
Section 81WModification, amendment or rescission of approval of plan; conditions
Section 81XRequirements for registration of plan
Section 81YRestrictions on construction of public ways, improvements and buildings; liability of grantors, etc.; court jurisdiction
Section 81ZBoard of appeals; membership; tenure; removal; vacancies; jurisdiction
Section 81AABoard of appeals; rules; meetings; powers and duties; hearings
Section 81BBAppeal to superior court; counsel; costs; surety or bond; speedy trial
Section 81CCPowers of planning boards; entry on lands
Section 81DDApplication of law; damages
Section 81EERecordation; evidence that subdivision control law is in effect; suspension
Section 81FFApplication of subdivision control law on registered and unregistered land; jurisdiction of land court
Section 81GGPowers of planning boards established under prior law; severability provision
Section 82Authority to establish art commissions
Section 83Appointment; membership; compensation; tenure; removal
Section 84Powers and duties; penalty
Section 85Weighers, measurers and surveyors of goods or commodities; appointment; qualifications; tenure; removal
Section 86Powers and duties; penalty for misrepresentation
Section 87Applicability of Secs. 85 and 86 to weighers, etc., of particular commodities
Section 87AWeighers and measurers of motor vehicles and trailers; appointment
Section 87BRepealed, 1974, 851, Sec. 2
Section 88Weighers of fish
Section 89Deputy weighers of fish
Section 90Weighers of fish; penalty for violation of oath of office
Section 90AInterfering with fish weigher or deputies; penalty
Section 91Constables; appointment and removal in cities
Section 91AConstables; appointment in towns
Section 91BAppointments; qualifications; application; investigation
Section 92Service of civil process
Section 93Remedies on bond
Section 94Powers and duties
Section 95Territorial jurisdiction
Section 95AService of civil process fees
Section 95BRecords of service of civil process fees
Section 96Police officers; appointment; tenure; discharge
Section 96AFelons disqualified
Section 96BPolice training schools; supervisory training; attendance by persons exercising police powers; wages and expenses; exceptions; removal for failure to attend
Section 97Police departments; establishment
Section 97APolice departments; chief of police; powers and duties
Section 97BRape reporting and prosecution units within police departments; training and funding; personnel; preservation of evidence
Section 97CSpecial telephone exchange for reporting of rape
Section 97DConfidentiality of reports of rape and related offenses; violations; penalties
Section 97EChief of police; attendance at conventions
Section 97FFirefighter duties; performance by police
Section 98Powers and duties
Section 98AArrest on fresh and continued pursuit
Section 98BFoot patrol
Section 98CBadges; identification by name or number
Section 98DIdentification cards
Section 98EPublic solicitations using words “police” or “firefighters”
Section 98FDaily logs; public records
Section 98GDomestic abuse; police reports
Section 99Requisition of police officers by other towns
Section 99AMembers of regular police or fire department and fire alarm division; residence outside city or town
Section 99BRegional police district law; purpose of Secs. 99B to 99K
Section 99CEstablishment
Section 99DTown elections for acceptance; ballots
Section 99EPowers and duties
Section 99FRegional police district commission; membership; officers
Section 99GBudget; apportionment; appropriations
Section 99HAnnual audits
Section 99ICosts and expenses; annual estimates; apportionment; assessment of towns
Section 99JRegional district police department; pending prosecutions; personnel transfers.
Section 99KRevocation of acceptance of regional police district law; town elections; ballot; continuity of district
Section 100Indemnification of police officers, firemen and persons aiding them; actions for intentional or negligent injuries inflicted upon same
Section 100ARepealed, 1978, 512, Sec. 10
Section 100BIndemnification of retired police officers and fire fighters
Section 100C to 100FRepealed, 1978, 512, Sec. 10
Section 100GPayment of funeral and burial expenses of fire fighters and police officers killed in performance of duties; acceptance of section
Section 100G1/4Payment of funeral and burial expenses of firefighters and police officers killed in performance of duties; acceptance of section
Section 100G1/2Attendance by police officers at police association executive board meetings; acceptance of section
Section 100HIndemnification of law enforcement officers for dogs used in connection with official duties
Section 100I, 100JRepealed, 1978, 512, Sec. 10
Section 101Commissioner of public safety; powers and duties
Section 101APolice officers or firefighters; tobacco smoking
Section 102Inspector of health
Section 102AAppointment in towns under three thousand population
Section 102BAppointment in towns of 5,000 or more inhabitants
Section 103Purchasing department; purchasing agent; duties and salaries
Section 104Establishment of purchasing department; submission to electorate
Section 105Board of trustees for soldiers’ memorials; powers and duties; membership; tenure; vacancies; rules and regulations
Section 106Tree warden; appointment; term
Section 106ATown physician; appointment in certain towns
Section 106BCapital planning committee; establishment; duties
Section 107Oath of office; beginning of term
Section 108Compensation
Section 108AClassification of positions; compensation plans; rules and regulations
Section 108BAssessors and tax collectors in districts; compensation and expenses
Section 108CBy-laws pertaining to administration of personnel; consolidation
Section 108DFire fighters; minimum annual compensation
Section 108EPolicemen; schedule of minimum annual compensation
Section 108FFire fighters; schedule of minimum annual compensation
Section 108GPolicemen; alternate schedule of minimum annual compensation
Section 108HFire fighters assigned to photographic work; additional compensation
Section 108IPolicemen assigned to photographic or fingerprint identification work; additional compensation
Section 108JEqual pay of male and female employees
Section 108KFemale police officers; equality of compensation
Section 108LPolice career incentive pay program; salary increases; reimbursement of cities or towns
Section 108MPolice officers attending law enforcement courses at accredited college or university for degree; payment of salary; duty hours; agreement
Section 108NTown manager, administrator, executive secretary, or administrative assistant; employment contract
Section 108OEmployment contracts for police chiefs and fire chiefs
Section 108PAdditional compensation for collectors or treasurers
Section 109Resignation; notice; residence requirements
Section 109AFidelity bonds; payment of premiums
Section 110Authorization for holidays
Section 110AOffice hours on Saturday
Section 111Vacations of certain employees
Section 111AVacations for police and firemen
Section 111BSick leaves; accumulation
Section 111CAttendance by employee veterans at funerals or memorial services for veterans
Section 111DVacations for police and firemen
Section 111EVacation pay for terminated employees; conditions
Section 111FLeave with pay for incapacitated employees
Section 111GAdditional vacation time for longevity
Section 111G1/2Vacations; duration
Section 111HOvertime pay for police officers; conditions
Section 111ICompensation due deceased employees; disposition
Section 111JAttendance at veterans’ conventions
Section 111KFiremen; summer vacations
Section 111LPolicemen and firemen; vacations; 20 years’ service
Section 111MEmergency medical technicians; leave without loss of pay while incapacitated
Section 111NIndemnification of emergency medical technicians for certain expenses
Section 112Preference in public employment
Section 112AVeterans in unclassified positions; procedure for involuntary separation
Section 113Use of official ballots
Section 114Application of election laws
Section 115Nomination papers; filing; certificates of nomination
Section 116Duties of prudential committee and clerk in certain districts
Section 117District elections; provision for election equipment; liability for expenses
Section 118District elections; provision for forms, tally and vote sheets
Section 119District meetings; qualifications
Section 120Fiscal year of districts
Section 121District treasurers; qualifications
Section 122Temporary treasurer; appointment; bond
Section 123Temporary clerk; appointment; bond
Section 123AAssistant treasurers and assistant clerks; appointment; bond
Section 124Fire and water districts; appropriation for cost of water favorability studies
Section 125Temporary housing assistance plans
Section 126Definitions
Section 127Eligibility to apply for tenure; offices excepted; restrictions; duration of tenure; removal for cause
Section 128City offices; application statement; filing; approval procedure; denial, re-application time limit
Section 129Town offices; application statement; filing; approval procedure; denial, re-application time limit
Section 130Applicability of town tenure provisions to districts
Section 131City or town offices; application statement by head of department for tenure of its members; filing; approval procedure; denial, re-application time limit
Section 132Tenure limitations
Section 133Appointment and reappointment of police officers

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