The following list includes acts accepted by or directly applicable
to the Town of Belmont which are still in effect. Acts that have been
repealed or superseded, acts that are generally applicable to towns
whether or not accepted and acts that clearly have no present effect
on the Town have been omitted. Certain acts accepted before 1920 which
have been codified in the Massachusetts General Laws have been included,
but with the present statutory reference.
A.
Special acts.
|
Year
|
Chapter
|
Subject
|
Date of Acceptance
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
1859
|
109
|
Act incorporating the Town of Belmont
|
March 28, 1859
|
|
1861
|
11
|
Fixes Town boundaries
|
—
|
|
1862
|
34
|
Fixes Town boundaries
|
—
|
|
1885
|
296
|
Providing for a public water supply for Belmont
|
September 23, 1885
|
|
1903
|
141
|
Establishes Board of Survey
|
December 17, 1902
|
|
1906
|
246
|
Watercourses and drainage in Belmont
|
—
|
|
1925
|
148
|
Sewer assessments
|
March 1, 1926
|
|
1926
|
302
|
Representative Town Meeting
|
June 8, 1926
|
|
1938
|
27
|
Civil service for Chief of Fire Department
|
March 7, 1938 (acceptance revoked on April 5, 1982)
|
|
1938
|
371
|
Fixes boundary with Arlington
|
October 3, 1938
|
|
1947
|
212
|
Division of Precinct 1 into 2 precincts
|
March 1, 1948
|
|
1951
|
43
|
5-day work week for Belmont police officers
|
March 5, 1951
|
|
1955
|
513
|
Authorizes Commissioner of Mental Health to sell certain land
to Belmont and establishes continuing conditions
|
October 10, 1955
|
|
1956
|
401
|
Indemnification for civil defense volunteers
|
March 10, 1958
|
|
1959
|
42
|
Authorizes lease of Town land to Waverley Post No. 1272, VFW
|
March 9, 1959
|
|
1966
|
117
|
Increase in amount of annual pension for certain retired Police
and Fire Department members
|
March 13, 1967
|
|
1968
|
474
|
Authorize use of Concord Avenue park land for school purposes
|
March 11, 1968
|
|
1969
|
710
|
Modification of procedures for electing Town Meeting Members
|
March 10, 1969
|
|
1972
|
621
|
Civil service for Assistant Superintendent of Highways and Highway
and Incinerator Foreman in the Highway Department
|
April 6, 1972 (Repealed by Chapter 370, Acts of 1981, effective
September 2, 1981, but incumbents as of that date retain their civil
service status. Persons newly employed in the positions after that
date are not subject to the civil service laws.)
|
|
1974
|
381
|
Allows Belmont to establish rates of compensation for its Fire
and Police Chiefs
|
April 7, 1975
|
|
1984
|
136
|
Increase in fees for dog licenses and payment of dog license
fees into Town treasury
|
April 25, 1984
|
|
1986
|
73 § 4
|
Allows Board of Assessors to increase exemptions by up to 100%
provided that no taxpayer pays less than previous year's taxes
|
April 23, 2001
|
|
1990
|
291
|
Enhanced 911
|
April 22, 1991
|
|
1993
|
71, § 83
|
Teacher early retirement
|
April 27, 1994
|
|
1994
|
235
|
Certain firefighters and police officers, terminated then reinstated,
are credited with active service for termination period
|
April 24, 1995
|
|
1995
|
15
|
Establishes a Capital Endowment Fund
|
April 27, 1994
|
|
1995
|
16
|
Notice of adjourned Town Meetings
|
April 27, 1994
|
|
1995
|
227
|
Amends Capital Endowment Fund Act
|
April 24, 1995
|
|
1996
|
71
|
Certain Town employees can get retirement credit for U.S. armed
service time
|
October 28, 1996
|
|
1997
|
128
|
Authorizes Selectmen to grant licenses for the sale of beer
and wine in certain restaurants
|
May 7, 1997
April 6, 1998
|
|
1998
|
194, § 288
|
Retiree can receive a higher pension if spouse predeceases the
retiree
|
April 26, 1999
|
|
1999
|
126
|
Establishes a nonprofit housing corporation for the Town of
Belmont
|
May 24, 1999
|
|
2000
|
306
|
Relative to the exemption from taxation of certain property
owned by McLean Hospital Corporation
|
May 24, 1999
|
|
2000
|
364
|
Authorizes Selectmen to grant licenses for the sale of alcoholic
beverages to be drunk on the premises of clubs having an 18-hole regulation
golf course
|
April 24, 2000
November 27, 2000
April 2, 2001
|
|
2000
|
411
|
Allows noncontributory veteran retirees whose spouses predecease
them to change retirement allowance to higher option
|
April 23, 2001
|
|
2001
|
129
|
Authorizes Town to establish a Senior Center Furnishings and
Accessories and Operations Fund
|
April 23, 2001
|
|
2004
|
14
|
Authorizes Selectmen to grant up to 3 licenses for sale of all
alcoholic beverages in restaurants having at least 130 and not more
than 250 seats
|
May 5, 2003
April 5, 2004
|
|
2004
|
21
|
Establishes a consolidated Department of Public Works
|
April 28, 2003
|
|
2004
|
42
|
Authorizes tax bills to include a place for voluntary contributions
to the Town's general fund
|
May 5, 2003
|
|
2004
|
106
|
Agreement relative to the taxation of certain property in the
Town
|
May 28, 2002
|
|
2004
|
195
|
Authorizing modification of the form of quarterly property tax
billing in the Town
|
April 28, 2003
|
|
2005
|
18
|
Town Meeting Members at large
|
April 26, 2004
|
|
2005
|
157, § 2
|
Additional yearly retirement allowance for certain accidental
disability retirees who are veterans, retroactive to the veteran's
date of retirement
|
April 24, 2006
|
|
2006
|
395
|
Authorizes Selectmen to grant 1 license for sale of all alcoholic
beverages not to be drunk on premises
|
April 24, 2006
April 2, 2007
|
|
2006
|
396
|
Authorizes Selectmen to grant not more than 2 licenses for sale
of wine and malt beverages not to be drunk on premises
|
April 24, 2006
April 2, 2007
|
|
2006
|
397
|
Authorizes Selectmen to grant special 1-day licenses for the
sale of alcoholic beverages
|
April 24, 2006
|
|
2007
|
97
|
Authorizes the Town to establish an Other Post-Employment Benefits
Trust Fund
|
April 24, 2006
August 29, 2007
|
|
2010
|
367
|
Revokes Chapter 195 of the Acts of 2004 (quarterly tax billing)
|
April 26, 2010
November 2, 2010
|
|
2010
|
376
|
Police Chief to be appointed by Selectmen
|
April 26, 2010
November 23, 2010
|
|
2010
|
381
|
Recall of elected persons holding Town-wide offices
|
April 26, 2010
December 1, 2010
|
|
2010
|
382
|
Modifies the Belmont Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust Fund
established in Chapter 97 of the Acts of 2007
|
April 26, 2010
December 1, 2010
|
|
2010
|
388
|
Allows Selectmen to license sale of all alcoholic beverages
|
April 26, 2010
December 16, 2010
|
|
2012
|
345
|
Authorizes delivery of Town Meeting warrant by any method determined
by Town
|
December 12, 2012
|
|
2014
|
11
|
Authorizes Massachusetts Commissioner of Capital Asset Management
and Maintenance to convey certain land to Belmont for recreation,
public works or other municipal purposes
|
January 23, 2014
|
|
2014
|
15
|
Authorizes Selectmen to grant up to 16 licenses for the sale
of wines and malt beverages to be drunk on premises
|
January 30, 2014
|
|
2014
|
16
|
Authorizes Selectmen to grant up to 4 licenses for the sale
of alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on premises
|
January 30, 2014
|
|
2014
|
17
|
Establishes the position of Town Administrator
|
January 30, 2014
|
|
2017
|
146
|
An Act limiting the transfer of certain licenses for the sale
of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in the Town of
Belmont (amends Ch. 388 of the Acts of 2010 and Ch. 15 of the Acts
of 2014)
|
December 8, 2017
|
|
2017
|
147
|
An Act limiting the transfer of certain licenses for the sale
of alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises in the Town
of Belmont (amends Ch. 16 of the Acts of 2014)
|
December 8, 2017
|
B.
Massachusetts General Laws.
|
Chapter
|
Section
|
Subject
|
Date of Acceptance
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
164
|
36
|
Establishes a municipal lighting plant
|
August 20, 1896
|
|
114
|
22 to 26
|
Establishes a Board of Cemetery Commissioners
|
June 30, 1898
|
|
82
|
37
|
Establishment of building lines
|
March 6, 1899
December 4, 1912
|
|
82
|
34
|
Reserved spaces in public ways
|
October 16, 1900
|
|
39
|
20
|
Precinct voting at Town Election
|
June 9, 1904
|
|
31
|
48
|
Civil service for police forces
|
May 18, 1911 (Acceptance revoked on November 6, 2023)
|
|
32
|
77(a)
|
Pensioning certain laborers
|
November 5, 1912
November 4, 1913
|
|
152
|
68 to 75
|
Workers' compensation
|
March 2, 1914
March 19, 1929
|
|
48
|
36
|
Appointment of call firemen to permanent force
|
March 2, 1914
|
|
31
|
48
|
Civil service for Police Chief
|
March 9, 1914
March 8, 1915
(Acceptance revoked on November 6, 2023)
|
|
166
|
32
|
Appointment of Inspector of Wires by Selectmen
|
March 9, 1914
|
|
41
|
111
|
Vacation for certain Town employees
|
March 9, 1914
|
|
31
|
48
|
Civil service for police and fire forces
|
March 8, 1915 (Acceptance revoked on November 6, 2023)
|
|
32
|
85
|
Pensions for members of Police and Fire Departments
|
March 8, 1915
|
|
32
|
52 to 55
|
Relative to retirement of certain veterans
|
June 27, 1916
|
|
149
|
30
|
8-hour day and 48-hour week for certain employees
|
March 5, 1917
|
|
48
|
58
|
Tenure of office for Fire Chief
|
March 4, 1918
|
|
41
|
70
|
Establishes a Planning Board
|
March 27, 1922
|
|
48
|
59
|
Division of Fire Department into 2 platoons
|
November 7, 1922
|
|
48
|
42 to 44
|
Establishes a Fire Department under a Chief appointed by the
Selectmen
|
March 5, 1923
|
|
41
45
|
72
1 to 9, 14, 15, 16, 18
|
Relative to care and control of public parks and playgrounds
(Playground or Recreation Commission established)
|
March 3, 1924
|
|
140
|
47
|
Licensing of coffee or tea houses
|
March 17, 1924
|
|
40
|
42A to 42F
|
Unpaid water rates a lien on real estate
|
April 11, 1927
|
|
40
|
6B
|
Authorizes Town to appropriate money to purchase police and
fire uniforms
|
March 29, 1932
|
|
147
|
13A
|
Authorizes reserve police force
|
April 4, 1932
|
|
41
|
55
|
Authorizes Selectmen to appoint a Town Accountant
|
March 11, 1935
|
|
32
|
1 to 28
|
Contributory retirement system for employees
|
November 3, 1936
|
|
147
|
16B
|
1 day off in every 6 for members of Police Department
|
March 11, 1940
|
|
48
|
58A
|
Hours of duty for Fire Department
|
March 9, 1942
|
|
85
|
11A
|
Registration of bicycles
|
March 8, 1943
|
|
129
|
15
|
Board of Health appoints Inspector of Animals
|
March 8, 1943
|
|
32
|
85E
|
Retirement for certain Police and Fire Department members
|
March 10, 1947
|
|
121B
|
3
|
Declaration of need for a Housing Authority
|
June 28, 1948
|
|
41
|
110A
|
Authorizes closing of Town offices on all Saturdays
|
March 21, 1949
|
|
31
|
47
|
Civil service for labor service
|
March 5, 1955 (Acceptance revoked on April 6, 1981, but employees
as of that date retain all rights under the law. Persons employed
after that date are not subject to the law.)
|
|
147
|
17A
|
Holiday pay for police officers
|
March 12, 1956
|
|
32B
|
10
|
Authorizes Town to provide contributory group life and health
insurance
|
March 7, 1966
|
|
32B
|
9A
|
Town may assume 1/2 of the premium of retired employees for
group life and health insurance
|
March 7, 1966
|
|
32B
|
11B
|
Extends contributory group life and health insurance to certain
elderly retirees
|
March 7, 1966
|
|
90
|
18A
|
Selectmen may adopt rules on use of ways by pedestrians
|
March 14, 1966
|
|
40
|
8C
|
Establishes Conservation Commission
|
March 13, 1967
|
|
32
|
85J
|
Allows certain members of Police and Fire Departments to choose
the manner of payment of their pensions
|
March 11, 1968
|
|
40
|
8D
|
Establishes Historical Commission
|
March 11, 1968
|
|
32
|
90A
|
Increases retirement allowance of former employees retired on
account of accidental disability
|
March 9, 1970
|
|
32
|
90C
|
Increases retirement allowance of certain superannuated employees
|
March 9, 1970
|
|
40
|
22D
|
Permits rules for towing of illegally parked vehicles
|
March 16, 1970
|
|
90
|
20C
|
Authorizes police officers to place tags upon illegally parked
motor vehicles
|
March 16, 1970
|
|
71
|
16 to 16I
|
Establishes Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District
|
March 1, 1971
|
|
41
|
108L
|
Career incentive pay program for Police Department
|
March 15, 1971
|
|
40
|
8E
|
Establishes Youth Commission
|
March 20, 1972
|
|
59
|
21A
|
Additional compensation for Assessors and Assistant Assessors
who are awarded certain certificates
|
March 27, 1972
|
|
40C
|
—
|
Establishes Historic District Commission to succeed to powers
and duties of Belmont Historical Commission
|
April 3, 1972
|
|
32
|
95A
|
Provides annuity to spouse and children of deceased Town employees
retired under noncontributory retirement law
|
March 19, 1972
|
|
152
|
69
|
Extends workers' compensation to all Town employees except police
and fire
|
March 19, 1972
|
|
44
|
53C
|
Permits separate fund for payment of off-duty police work
|
March 19, 1972
|
|
32B
|
9D
|
Town to pay 1/2 of the premium for health insurance of surviving
spouse of employee or retired employee
|
April 1, 1974
|
|
32B
|
11A
|
Additional group life and health insurance for employees with
no premium contribution by the Town
|
April 1, 1974
|
|
41
|
100B
|
Indemnification of retired police officers and firefighters
for certain hospital expenses
|
May 20, 1974
|
|
32
|
99
|
Advance payment of retirement allowance of certain employees
|
May 20, 1974
|
|
40
|
8B
|
Establishes a Council on Aging
|
April 28, 1975
|
|
71
|
71E
|
Authorizes revolving fund for moneys received for certain school
programs
|
April 26, 1978
|
|
164A
|
—
|
Authorizes Municipal Light Department to participate in New
England Power Pool
|
June 18, 1979
|
|
258
|
13
|
Indemnification of municipal officers
|
April 6, 1981
|
|
83
|
16A to 16F
|
Authorizes lien on real estate for unpaid sewer use charges
|
October 5, 1981
|
|
90
|
20A 1/2
|
Authorizes Selectmen to appoint a Parking Clerk and to establish
a schedule of fines for parking violations
|
October 5, 1981
|
|
148
|
26C
|
Installation of automatic smoke or heat detectors in certain
public accommodations
|
April 28, 1982
|
|
40
|
4G
|
Advertising for proposals for purchase of equipment, supplies
or materials costing $4,000 or more
|
April 25, 1984
|
|
148
|
26E
|
Installation of approved smoke detectors in all residential
buildings
|
April 25, 1984
|
|
60A
|
1
|
POW plates
|
April 28, 1986
|
|
71
|
71F
|
Establishes special account for tuition payments and reimbursements
received by the School Committee
|
April 29, 1987
|
|
44
|
53F 1/2
|
Establishes an enterprise fund for transportation and related
purposes
|
June 17, 1987
|
|
32
|
7(2)(a)(iii)
|
Increase supplemental dependency allowance for accidental disability
retirees
|
May 2, 1988
|
|
59
|
5(41C)
|
Real estate tax exemption of $500 for over age eligible taxpayers
|
May 2, 1988
|
|
41
|
106
|
Tree Warden to be appointed by the Selectmen
|
June 13, 1988
|
|
148
|
26H
|
Requires automatic sprinklers in lodging or boarding houses
|
April 23, 1990
|
|
140
|
147A
|
Authorizes the Town to enact bylaws regulating dogs
|
April 23, 1990
|
|
32
|
22(1)(b 1/2)
|
Removes restriction of $30,000 on the amount of regular pay
used for calculation of retirement allowances
|
April 22, 1991
|
|
40
|
13A
|
Insurance fund for workers' compensation claims
|
April 22, 1991
|
|
40
|
13C
|
Reserve to pay workers' compensation claims if the Town self-insures
|
April 22, 1991
|
|
32
|
90G 3/4
|
Allows Town employees to accrue creditable service after the
age of 70 years
|
April 24, 1991
|
|
270
|
16
|
Designate Health Director as enforcing officer
|
April 24, 1991
|
|
59
|
5(17D)
|
Provides exemption from real estate tax for certain eligible
taxpayers
|
April 27, 1992
|
|
59
|
5(37A)
|
Provides exemption from real estate tax for certain eligible
taxpayers who are blind
|
April 27, 1992
|
|
59
|
5(41A)
|
Increases maximum receipts for eligible applicants for tax deferral
|
April 27, 1992
|
|
32
|
22D
|
Establishes a retirement system funding schedule
|
April 26, 1993
|
|
40
|
8J
|
Establishes a Commission on Disability
|
April 26, 1993
|
|
44
|
53D
|
Establishes a recreation program revolving fund
|
June 7, 1993
|
|
41
|
69B
|
Establishes water special revenue fund
|
April 25, 1994
|
|
148
|
26G
|
Sprinklers in certain nonresidential buildings
|
April 25, 1994
|
|
40
|
57
|
Authorization to deny or revoke local licenses or permits for
nonpayment of taxes
|
April 26, 1994
|
|
60
|
3C
|
Authorizes the Town to provide a checkoff on tax bills for a
Town scholarship fund
|
April 24, 1995
|
|
32
|
20(6)
|
Stipend for ex officio members of Retirement Board
|
April 22, 1996
|
|
59
|
21A 1/2
|
Extra compensation for Assessors who complete certain courses
|
April 22, 1996
|
|
40
|
8G
|
Allows mutual aid agreements with other police departments
|
October 28, 1996
|
|
32
|
103
|
Continuation of annual cost of living adjustments for eligible
retired Town employees
|
April 27, 1998
|
|
32
|
103(h)
|
Equalizes cost of living adjustments for noncontributory and
contributory retirees
|
April 26, 1999
|
|
32
|
103(i)
|
Allows Retirement Board to pay greater cost of living increase
|
April 24, 2000
|
|
40
|
22F
|
Allows Town boards or officers to fix reasonable fees and charges
|
April 24, 2000
|
|
41
|
108P
|
Provides for $1,000 additional compensation to the Town Treasurer
|
April 24, 2000
|
|
148
|
261
|
Requires automatic sprinkler systems in new or substantially
rehabilitated structures
|
April 24, 2000
|
|
31
|
58A
|
Maximum age for appointment to position of firefighter or police
officer
|
April 28, 2003
|
|
44
|
53F 1/2
|
Establishes enterprise fund for water service
|
April 28, 2003
|
|
44
|
53F 1/2
|
Establishes enterprise fund for sewer and stormwater service
|
April 28, 2003
|
|
59
|
5(41C)
|
Adjusts certain property tax exemptions and requirements for
eligible senior citizens
|
April 28, 2003
|
|
32B
|
18
|
Requires all retirees, their spouses or dependents enrolled
or eligible to enroll in Medicare Part A to enroll in a Medicare extension
plan offered by the Town
|
April 26, 2004
|
|
59
|
5K
|
Raises the reduction of tax liability from $500 to $750 for
volunteer services by persons over age 60
|
April 25, 2005
|
|
32
|
7(2)(e)
|
Additional yearly retirement allowance for certain accidental
disability retirees who are veterans
|
April 24, 2006
|
|
32
|
9(2)(d)(ii)
|
Increase in accidental death benefit for surviving children
|
April 23, 2007
|
|
39
|
23D
|
Voting by members of a local board who miss a single session
of an adjudicatory hearing before their board
|
April 23, 2007
|
|
59
|
5(56)
|
Authorizes Assessors to grant abatement to National Guard and
reservists on active duty
|
November 8, 2010
|
|
71
|
37M
|
Authorizes Selectmen and School Committee to consolidate facility
maintenance functions
|
April 25, 2011
|
|
40
|
4J
|
Allows Town to create a framework for mutual aid in case of
a public safety incident
|
May 2, 2011 (acceptance by Board of Selectmen, not by Town Meeting)
|
|
40
|
4K
|
Accepts the provisions of the Statewide Public Works Municipal
Mutual Aid Law
|
May 2, 2011 (acceptance by Board of Selectmen, not by Town Meeting)
|
|
48
|
59A
|
Accepts the provisions of the Statewide Fire Mutual Aid Agreement
|
May 2, 2011 (acceptance by Board of Selectmen, not by Town Meeting)
|
|
59
|
5K
|
Increase to Senior Tax Work Off Program to up to $1,000
|
May 8, 2013
|
|
90
|
17C
|
Speed limits
|
May 1, 2017
|
|
32
|
101, third paragraph
|
Adjustment of spousal benefits for surviving spouses of retirees
|
June 4, 2018
|
|
33
|
59
|
Effect of military service on salary, seniority and leave allowances
of public employees
|
May 3, 2021
|
|
59
|
5, Clause 22G
|
Real estate tax exemptions for veterans where the veteran is
not a trustee but is domiciled at a property that is held by a trustee,
conservator or other fiduciary for the benefit of the veteran
|
May 3, 2021
|
|
59
|
5, Clause 22H
|
Real estate tax exemption for surviving parents or guardians
of military personnel who died while on active duty or are missing
in action and presumed dead
|
May 3, 2021
|
|
59
|
5N
|
Reduction of property tax obligation of veterans in exchange
for volunteer services
|
May 3, 2021
|
