AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN ANNUAL STIPEND FOR THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE CITY KNOWN AS THE TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER
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. Section 2-13 of Article II 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 subsection (a) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-
(a) Annual Stipend – Subject to section 6A of chapter 39 of the General Laws, each member of the town council shall receive an annual stipend, payable in arrears, in the amount of $5,000 and the town council president shall receive an annual stipend, payable in arrears, in the amount of $7,500. Incumbent councilors shall receive a stipend as provided in this section, as of each annual town election day. A councilor who vacates their office may receive a pro-rated stipend as of the last date of the councilor’s service. Regardless of compensation, members of the town council shall not be eligible for benefits from the town.
Subject to said section 6A of said chapter 39, any modification of the stipend amounts set forth in this section may be adopted by ordinance duly adopted by the town council; provided, however, that any such ordinance shall not take effect during the year in which such increase or reduction is voted on; and provided further, that no change to such ordinance shall be made between the election and qualification of a new council. Persons elected to serve as councilors by special town election or appointment shall be eligible for payment of an annual stipend payable in arrears in the amount of $5,000 reduced on a pro-rated basis commensurate with the number of days beginning with the date of the special election or appointment.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon acceptance by a majority of the voters in the city known as the town of Bridgewater, but not otherwise.
Approved, February 12, 2026.