Town Meeting "Citizen Petitions"

Petitions

The Select Board pursuant to MGL Ch 39, §10 must insert articles into the Warrant that have been petitioned by registered voters in the Town.

To insert an article in the warrant for a Town Meeting, voters of the town must sign a TYPED request. The TYPED request of registered voters for the insertion of subjects in town meeting warrants shall not be valid unless the required number of registered voters not only sign their names but also state their residence, with street and number.

ANNUAL TOWN MEETING:

To place an article on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant submit the form below to the Select Board's Office prior to the close of the warrant:

  • Ten (10) certified signatures are required
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING:
To place an article on the Special Town Meeting Warrant submit the form below to the Select Board's Office prior to the close of the warrant:
 
  • One hundred (100) certified signatures are required or 10% of the total number of voters, whichever is lesser

TO CALL A SPECIAL TOWN MEETING BY A VOTER:
 
Q. May voters call a special TOWN MEETING:
A. Yes, voters may call a special Town Meeting.  Two hundred (200) registered voters or 20% of the total number of registered voters, whichever is less in number, may request a special Town Meeting.  The special Town Meeting must be held no later than 45 days after the Select Board receive the request and signatures have been certified by the Town Clerk.
 
Q. What's the procedure for voters calling a special Town Meeting?

A. The requisite number of voters must sign a written request for a special Town Meeting.  The format of the written request is flexible. 

The following is required:
  • Voters should sign and print their names and include their address after their signatures;
  • Voters deliver the TYPED request to the Select Board;
  • Select Board delivers the petition to the Town Clerk for certification of signatures;
  • The Select Board must then call a special meeting within 45 days, once the petition has the certified number of signatures required.
Q. May a special Town Meeting be called for more than one reason?

A. Yes, a special Town Meeting may be called for more than one reason.  For example, a special Town Meeting could be called to consider amending the zoning code and buying a new fire truck.

PLEASE NOTE:  The proposal in the petition must be inserted into the warrant exactly in the form of the petition; meaning the Select Board does not have the authority neither does the Town Clerk to correct the petition prior to execution of the warrant.  Once a petition is certified with the required number of signatures, it CANNOT BE AMENDED OR WITHDRAWN.  A petition article is, however, subject to changes within the scope of the original article either by motion or by amendment made at Town Meeting.

For questions and answers about Town Meetings, click on the link below (Guide to Voting in Town Meeting): http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cistwn/twnidx.htm