The following is a list of General Law provisions
accepted by the town:
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1872
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VOTED to accept the provisions of Chapter 158
of the Acts of 1871 in regards to the care of highways and bridges.
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1890
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VOTED to accept the provisions of Sections 74, 75, 76 and 77 of Chapter 27 of the Public Statutes and to choose three Road Commissioners (for overlapping terms of three years). [Action revoked in 1892, as noted below.]
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1890
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VOTED that the town accept the provisions of
Chapter 386 of the Acts and Resolves of 1890 and that all our town
officers be hereafter chosen by ballot and the number of terms of
such officers be the same as was fixed upon at our last Annual Meeting.
[Vote was revoked at Town Meeting 3-5-1894.]
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1890
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VOTED to accept the provisions of Chapter 264
of the Acts and Resolves of 1890 as to the election of Commissioners
of Burial Grounds.
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1892
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VOTED to revoke acceptance of Sections 74, 75, 76 and 77 of Chapter 27 of the Public Statutes relating to the Board of Road Commissioners and abolish its present Board.
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1895
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VOTED to accept the provisions of Sections 20
through 25 of the Chapter 50 of the Public Statutes.
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1896
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VOTED to accept the provisions of Sections 20,
21, 22, 23 and 24 of Chapter 50 of the Public Statutes, pertaining
to sidewalks.
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1896
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VOTED to accept a bylaw relating to the clearing
of ice and snow from sidewalks. (The action was taken in accordance
with the provisions of Sections 8 and 9 of Chapter 53 of the Public
Statutes.)
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1897
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VOTED to accept Chapter 507 of the Acts of 1897,
an act accepting the bequest of Susan M.D. Bridgman.
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1900
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VOTED that a Tree Warden be chosen each year
by nomination. (The article had anticipated the acceptance of the
provisions of Chapter 330 of the Acts of 1899, providing for the election
"by ballot, each year, of a Tree Warden, to serve for one year.")
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1903
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VOTED to accept Section 336 of Chapter 11 of
the Revised Laws, relating to the election of a Highway Surveyor.
(This action was subsequently rescinded in 1905.)
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1905
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VOTED to rescind acceptance of Chapter 11, Section
336 of the Public Statutes as to election of the Highway Superintendent,
leaving the Selectmen to appoint.
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1909
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VOTED to accept an act (Section 5 of Chapter
209) passed by the General Court in the year 1908, "An act to provide
for the protection of forest or sprout lands from fire."
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1912
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State election, ballot question. VOTED to accept
an act passed by the General Court in 1912 entitled "An act relative
to pensioning laborers in the employ of cities and towns."
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1913
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State election, ballot question. VOTED to accept
an act compensating laborers, workmen and mechanics for injuries sustained
in the line of duty.
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1914
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State election, ballot question. VOTED to accept
Chapter 807 of the Acts of 1913, being an act to provide for compensating
laborers, workers and mechanics for injuries sustained in public employment.
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1914
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State election, ballot question. VOTED to accept
Section 42 of Chapter 514 of the Acts of 1909, as affected by Chapter
494 of the Acts of 1911, which provides that an eight-hour day shall
constitute a day's work for town employees.
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1914
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State election, ballot question. VOTED to accept
an act to make Saturday a half holiday for town employees.
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1914
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State election, ballot question. VOTED to accept
"An act to abolish party enrollment (at primaries)."
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1915
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VOTED to accept the provisions of Chapter 287
of the Acts of 1915, "An act to authorize the Town of Belchertown
to supply itself and its inhabitants with water."
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1916
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State election, ballot question. VOTED to accept Chapter 104 of the General Acts of 1916, "An act to make the first day of January a legal holiday (for state and municipal employees)."
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1916
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State election, ballot question. VOTED to accept
Chapter 179 of the General Acts of 1916, "An act to prevent the voters
of one party from voting in the primaries of another political party."
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1917
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VOTED to petition the Director of the Bureau
of Statistics for the installation of a system of accounts in accordance
with the provisions of Chapter 598 of the Acts of 1910, as amended.
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1917
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VOTED to authorize the Board of Selectmen to
appoint a Town Accountant in accordance with the provisions of Chapter
624 of the Acts of 1910, as amended.
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1918
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VOTED to abolish the office of Auditor, as provided
by Chapter 624 of the Acts of 1910.
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1918
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VOTED to establish a reserve fund as provided
by Chapter 645 of the Acts of 1913.
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1919
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VOTED to accept the provisions of MGL c. 11,
§ 336, relative to the election of a Highway Surveyor, the
same to take effect February 2, 1920. (This action was subsequently
rescinded in 1921.)
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1919
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State election, ballot question. VOTED to accept
Chapter 311, General Acts of 1919, entitled "An act relative to the
establishment and maintenance of continuation schools and courses
of instruction for unemployed minors."
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1919
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State election, ballot question. VOTED to accept Chapter 116 of Acts of 1919, relating to savings banks and institutions.
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1920
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VOTED to accept the Act of 1920 in regard to
sports on Sunday.
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1922
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 114, §§ 23
to 26, inclusive, relative to the election, by ballot, of a Board
of Cemetery Commissioners.
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1925
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VOTED to accept the provisions of MGL c. 39,
§ 20, as amended, said section pertaining to establishing
precinct voting for all town officers.
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1931
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VOTED to elect the Moderator annually by ballot
as provided by MGL c. 39, § 14, as amended.
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1939
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VOTED to accept the provisions of MGL c. 152,
§§ 69 to 75, inclusive, providing that the terms "laborers,"
"workmen" and "mechanics" shall include such other employees, except
members of the Police or Fire Department, regardless of the nature
of their work, as may be employed on work to be done under the commonwealth.
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1939
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VOTED to accept the provisions of Chapter 438
of the Acts of 1938, relative to the town workmen's compensation.
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1940
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VOTED to assume liability in the manner provided
by MGL c. 91, § 29 and Chapter 513 of the Acts of 1939 for
all damages that may be incurred by work to be performed by the Department
of Public Works of Massachusetts in rivers and streams of the town
in accordance with the provisions of said Chapter 513 and authorize
the Selectmen to execute and deliver a bond of indemnity therefor
to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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1945
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VOTED to accept the provisions of Chapter 723
of the Acts of 1945, establishing a Veterans' Services Department.
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1946
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State election, ballot question. VOTED to accept
MGL c. 32, §§ 1 to 28, inclusive, authorizing any city
or town to establish a contributory retirement system for its employees,
as applicable to all its employees, except teachers who are eligible
for membership in the teachers' retirement system.
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1949
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VOTED to accept the provisions of MGL c. 111,
§§ 126 and 127, relative to the construction and maintenance
of privy vaults and the use of common sewers, where available.
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1949
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VOTED to authorize the Selectmen to appoint
an Inspector of Wires, as required by Chapter 529 of the Acts of 1949.
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1950
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VOTED to adopt the provisions of MGL c. 49,
§ 28 and authorize the impounding of beasts taken up by
a field driver on the premises of the field driver at a town pound.
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1950
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 48, §§ 42,
43 and 44, relative to the establishment of a Fire Department in Belchertown.
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1950
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VOTED to elect Sewer Commissioners at the Annual
Town Meeting, for three years, as provided in MGL c. 41, § 63.
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1950
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VOTED to elect at the next Annual Town Meeting
a Planning Board composed of five members, in accordance with MGL
c. 41, § 81A.
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1951
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VOTED to accept the provisions of Chapter 820
of the Acts of 1950, relative to increases in the annual amounts of
pensions, retirement allowances, annuities and other benefits payable
by the commonwealth and its political subdivisions to certain former
employees and persons claiming under them.
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1952
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VOTED to accept the provisions of MGL c. 54,
§ 103A, relative to absentee voting in town elections.
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1957
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Ballot question. VOTED to accept MGL c. 32B,
authorizing any county, city, town or district to provide a plan of
group life insurance, group accidental death and dismemberment insurance
and group general or blanket hospital, surgical and medical insurance
for certain persons in the service of such county, city, town or district
and their dependents.
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1957
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VOTED to establish a term of office of three
years for the Town Treasurer, as authorized under the provisions of
MGL c. 41, § 1, beginning in 1958.
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1958
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VOTED to adopt an order, as provided under the
provisions of MGL c. 40, § 21, requiring that all town officers,
elected and appointed, pay all fees received by them into the town
treasury.
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1958
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VOTED to establish a Regional School District
Planning Board, in accordance with MGL c. 71, § 14.
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1959
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VOTED to adopt an Official Town Seal in accordance
with MGL c. 40, § 47, said Seal to be retained in the custody
of the Town Clerk.
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1959
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VOTED to establish the number of constables
at six and the term of office for constables at three years, as provided
in MGL c. 40, § 1.
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1961
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VOTED to establish a stabilization fund as authorized
under MGL c. 40, § 5B, as amended by Chapter 404 of the
Acts of 1957.
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1963
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VOTED to accept the provisions of MGL c. 40,
§ 8C, authorizing the Selectmen to appoint a Conservation
Commission, and to accept the provisions of said MGL c. 40, § 5,
cls. 51 and 50. (The motion established a Conservation Commission
of seven members.)
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1964
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VOTED to petition the State Tax Commission for
the installation of the State Assessment System, as provided in MGL
c. 58, § 7A.
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1967
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VOTED to authorize the Selectmen to designate
which elected officers of the town, exclusive of the Selectmen and
the police and fire forces, shall be included in workmen's compensation,
under MGL c. 152, §§ 68 through 75.
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1968
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VOTED to accept the provisions of MGL c. 121,
§ 26K and thereby to establish a Housing Authority.
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1968
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VOTED to accept provisions of MGL c. 71, §§ 16
to 16I, inclusive, providing for the establishment of a Regional School
District, consisting of the Towns of Belchertown, Hardwick, Monson,
New Braintree, North Brookfield, Palmer, Ware, Warren and West Brookfield.
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1968
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VOTED to accept the provisions of MGL c. 40,
§ 8A and authorize the establishment of a Development and
Industrial Commission of 10 members.
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1969
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VOTED to establish (another) Regional School
District Planning Committee under MGL c. 71, § 14.
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1970
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VOTED to accept the provisions of MGL c. 149,
§ 33C relating to the payment of overtime to town employees
required to work in excess of the regular number of maximum hours
per week as regulated by law.
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1971
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VOTED to accept the provisions of MGL c. 53,
§ 121, establishing the use of a nonpartisan caucus in the
town.
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1972
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VOTED to accept the provisions of MGL c. 41,
§ 97A, establishing a Police Department in the Town of Belchertown.
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1973
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VOTED to accept the provisions of MGL c. 40,
§ 8D, establishing a Historical Commission of five members,
appointed by the Selectmen for overlapping three-year terms. (Increased
to seven members by Art. 6, 3-11-1996.)
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1973
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VOTED to establish a Council on Aging under
the provisions of MGL c. 40, § 8B and further regulated
by MGL c. 40, § 5, Paragraph 49.
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1973
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VOTED to authorize the Selectmen to establish
regulations and license fees for the regulation and control of hawkers
and peddlers, as provided by MGL c. 101.
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1974
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VOTED to accept Section 20 of Chapter 1140 of
the Acts of 1973, relative to the State Highway Distribution Fund.
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1974
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VOTED to accept Section 22 of Chapter 1140 of
the Acts of 1973, relative to the State Highway Account.
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1974
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VOTED to accept the provisions of MGL c. 40,
§ 22D, so as to provide the Board of Selectmen with the
authority to establish, adopt, amend, alter or repeal rules and regulations
for the removal to some convenient place of any vehicle parked or
standing on any part of any way under the control of the town in such
a manner as to impede, in any way, the removal or plowing of snow
or ice or in violation of any rule or regulation which prohibits the
parking or standing of all vehicles on such ways or portions thereof,
which rules and regulations so adopted shall be administered through
the Chief of Police or such Sergeants or other officers of higher
rank in the Police Department as the Chief may from time to time designate.
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1975
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VOTED to accept the provisions of MGL c. 32B,
§ 7A, Paragraph D, in reference to paying a subsidiary or
additional rate for contributory group life and health insurance for
employees in the service of the town and their dependents, in addition
to the payment of 50%.
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1975
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 40, § 8G allowing
Belchertown to enter into agreements to provide mutual aid programs
for the Police Department.
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1977
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VOTED to join the Lower Pioneer Valley Regional
Transit Authority pursuant to MGL c. 161B and to authorize the Selectmen
to enter into such agreements that may be required to accomplish the
foregoing.
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1978
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VOTED to accept the provisions of Chapter 586
of the Acts of 1977, amending MGL c. 83 by adding §§ 16A
to 16F, said law authorizing the addition of unpaid sewer use charges
to real estate tax bills.
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1978
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VOTED to accept the provisions of Chapter 956
of the Acts of 1977, amending MGL c. 60 by adding a new § 23A.
(This action, taken on June 12, was subsequently rescinded two months
later on August 28.)
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1978
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VOTED to accept the provisions of Chapter 808
of the Acts of 1975, entitled the "Zoning Act."
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1980
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VOTED to form a Health District between the
Towns of Belchertown and Ware, pursuant to the provisions of MGL c.
111, § 27A.
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1981
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VOTED to establish an Energy Resources Commission,
as provided under MGL c. 40, § 81.
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1982
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VOTED to authorize the creation of an Economic
Development and Industrial Commission, pursuant to the provisions
of MGL c. 121C.
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1982
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VOTED to accept the provisions of MGL c. 71,
§ 71E, as amended, so as to establish a revolving fund for
the purpose of adult education.
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1983
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VOTED to accept the provisions of Chapter 597
of the Acts of 1982, "An act providing for the issuance, without payment
of a fee, of distinctive license plates to former prisoners of war."
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1984
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VOTED to accept the provisions of MGL c. 138,
§§ 33A and 33B, as amended; said laws permit the establishment
of the hours during which alcoholic beverages may be served.
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1985
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VOTED to accept Chapter 477 of the Acts of 1984,
regarding the acquisition of surplus equipment from federal government
sales. (Art. 22)
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1986
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 60, § 106,
regarding single payments for property tax not in excess of $25. (Art.
2)
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1986
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 40, § 57, regarding
denial, revocation or suspension of licenses or permits for failure
to pay taxes, fees, assessments or other charges. (Art. 32). [MGL
c. 40, § 57 was accepted again by Art. 24 of the 1995 Annual
Town Meeting.]
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1987
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VOTED to accept Chapter 194 of the Acts of 1986,
regarding a scholarship fund. (Art. 24)
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1988
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 40, § 39K,
establishing an enterprise fund for sewer services. (Art. 11)
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1988
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VOTED to accept Chapter 613 of the Acts of 1985,
the Right To Farm Law. (Art. 5)
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1989
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 40, § 4G, providing
for an increase in the ceiling for competitive bidding to $4,000.
(Art. 8)
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1989
|
VOTED to accept Chapter 245 of the Acts of 1988,
regarding expenditure of default funds. (Art. 13)
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1989
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 44, § 53D,
establishing a Recreation Revolving Fund. (Art. 23)
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1990
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 40, §§ 44A
to 44L, regarding the regional refuse district. (Art. 12)
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1991
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VOTED to accept Chapter 291 of the Acts of 1990,
regarding enhanced 911 service. (Art. 1)
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1992
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 40, §§ 42G,
42H and 42I, regarding special assessments to meet the cost of water
pipes. (Art. 8)
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1992
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 40, § 22F (Section
123 of Chapter 138 of the Acts of 1991), providing for municipal fees
and charges. (Art. 9)
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1992
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 40D, regarding the Industrial
Development Financing Authority. (Art. 13)
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1992
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 59, § 57C,
regarding the quarterly real estate tax payment system. (Art. 26)
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1992
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 59, § 5, cl.
41C, regarding tax abatement for elderly property owners. (Art. 28)
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1993
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 41, § 25. (Art.
7) [Action was rescinded 5-12-1997 ATM by Art. 7.]
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1993
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 32B, § 18,
regarding Medicare extension plans. (Art. 22)
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1993
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 59, § 5, cl.
17C, regarding tax abatement for surviving spouse, minor or elderly
property owners. (Art. 33)
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1995
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 59, § 57B,
providing for one annual bill for all personal property and real estate
bills which do not exceed $50. (Art. 1)
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1996
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 41, § 108L,
the Quinn Bill. (Art. 16)
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1996
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 148, §§ 26E
and 26G, regarding smoke detectors and sprinkling systems. (Art. 17)
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1997
|
VOTED to accept MGL c. 71, § 16 (Chapter
140 of the Acts of 1996), regarding the regional school district.
(Art. 39)
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1997
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 258, § 13,
regarding the indemnification of town officers. (May Election, Question
No. 1)
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1998
|
VOTED to accept MGL c. 59, § 5, cl.
17D, allowing an increase to the maximum asset requirement under this
clause. (Art. 23)
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1998
|
VOTED to accept MGL c. 59, § 5, cl.
37A, increasing the amount of this exemption from $437.50 to $500.00.
(Art. 24)
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1998
|
VOTED to accept MGL c. 59, § 5, cl.
22E, which reduces the residency requirement for eligibility for the
veterans property tax exemption under Massachusetts General Laws.
(Art. 25)
|
|
1999
|
VOTED to accept Section 40 of Chapter 653 of
the Acts of 1989, amending MGL c. 59, § 2A(a), regarding
the collection of real estate taxes on new structures built between
January 2 and June 30. (Art. 20)
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1999
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VOTED to accept MGL c. 59, § 59A,
relative to the establishment of agreements between the town and eligible
persons. (Art. 4)
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1999
|
VOTED to accept MGL c. 40, § 13A,
to establish and maintain an insurance fund to pay workers compensation
claims and charges (Art. 8)
|
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2001
|
VOTED to accept MGL c. 59, § 5, Clause
54 (Section 114 of Chapter 159 of the Acts of 2000), to allow Belchertown
to establish a minimum value of $1,500 for personal property accounts
to be taxed. (2-12-2001 STM, Art. 21)
|
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2001
|
VOTED to accept MGL c. 41, § 108P,
which compensates a municipal Collector or Treasurer who has taken
the proper courses and been certified by the Massachusetts Collectors
and Treasurers Association. (2-12-2001 STM, Art. 32)
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2003
|
VOTED to adopt Chapter 184, § 51,
of the Acts of 2002, allowing the Town to adjust the eligibility requirements
that seniors must meet in order to qualify for a property tax exemption
under MGL c. 59, § 5, cl. 41C, effective for Fiscal Year
2004. (5-12-2003 ATM, Art. 20)
|
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2004
|
VOTED to accept Section 1 of Chapter 137 of
the Acts of 2003, which provides for the payment to an employee, who
is a member of the army national guard, the air national guard or
a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, who
is called to active duty in the armed forces of the United States
and who is granted military leave, the employee's regular base salary,
excluding any additional compensation, reduced by any amount received
by him/her from the United States as pay or allowance for military
service performed during the same period. (5-10-2004 ATM, Art. 19)
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2005
|
VOTED to adopt MGL c. 80, § 13B, and
under MGL c. 59, § 5, Clause 41A, set the maximum qualify
gross receipts amount at 40,000 (1-18-2005 STM, Art. 11)
|
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2007
|
VOTED to accept the provisions of MGL c. 39,
§ 23D, for all boards, committees or commissions holding
adjudicatory hearings such that a member of a board, committee or
commission holding an adjudicatory hearing shall not be disqualified
from voting the matter solely due to the member's absence from one
session of such hearing, provided that certain conditions are met
(5-14-2007 ATM, Art. 18)
|
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2007
|
VOTED to adopt MGL c. 41, § 110A,
to close the Office of Election and Registration on Saturdays (5-14-2007
ATM, Art. 19)
|
|
2008
|
VOTED to accept Chapter 43D of the Massachusetts
General Laws as amended pursuant to Section 11 of Chapter 205 of the
Acts of 2006 and to approve the filing of an application with the
Interagency Permitting Board for the designation of land between State
Street and Jackson Street as a priority development site. (5-12-2008
ATM, Art. 15)
|
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2009
|
VOTED to adopt Clause 5A of MGL c. 59, § 5. This local
option provides a property tax exemption of $400,000 worth of real
and personal property owned by or held in trust for veterans organizations
and used for their organization’s charitable purposes. (5-11-2009
ATM, Art. 32)
|
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2012
|
VOTED to accept the provisions of MGL c. 32B, § 20,
in order to allow the establishment of an Other Post Employment Benefits
Liability Trust Fund for the accumulation of funds to reduce the unfunded
actuarial liability of health care and other post-employment benefits.
(5-14-2012 ATM, Art. 16)
|
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2015
|
VOTED to accept MGL c. 54, § 16A, which provides that
if the warden, clerk, or inspector, or the deputy of any such officer,
if any, is not present at the opening of the polls, the Town Clerk
may appoint a person to fill such vacancy who shall be an enrolled
voter of the same political party as the absent officer, if any competent
person enrolled in such party is present and willing to serve. (5-11-2015
ATM, Art. 15)
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2017
|
VOTED to accept MGL c. 44, § 53F3/4, which establishes
a special revenue fund known as the "PEG Access and Cable Related
Fund," to reserve cable franchise fees and other cable-related revenues
for appropriation to support PEG access services and oversight and
renewal of the cable franchise agreement, the fund to begin operation
for fiscal year 2018, which begins on July 1, 2017; and further to
direct the accounting officer to transfer the remaining balance in
the PEG Grant account into said PEG Access and Cable Related Fund
upon its creation, and appropriate from the PEG Access and Cable Related
Fund the sum of $85,000 to be used for operations of the Belchertown
Community Channel for the ensuing fiscal year commenting July 1, 2017.
(5-8-2017 ATM, Art. 16)
|
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2018
|
VOTED to accept MGL c. 64N, § 3, and impose an excise
on the retail sale of marijuana for adult use at a rate of 3%. (5-14-2018
ATM, Art. 24)
|
|
2019
|
VOTED to modify its acceptance of MGL Chapter 59, Section 5,
Clause 54 and establish the minimum value of personal property subject
to taxation at $6,000 in value. (5-13-2019 ATM, Art. 21)
|
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2019
|
VOTED to adopt General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53F1/2, and
create a Stormwater Utility Enterprise Fund for the fiscal year commencing
on July 1, 2020. (5-13-2019 ATM, Art. 34)
|
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2019
|
VOTED to adopt G.L. c. 58, § 8C, Affordable housing sites;
abatement of real estate tax obligations, to permit the Town to enter
into agreements for abatement of real estate taxes. (5-13-2019 ATM,
Art. 44)
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