[This chapter includes a list of General Laws accepted at Town Meeting, as well as Special Acts adopted by the General Court and pertaining specifically to the Town of Templeton.]
General Law or Special Act
Year Accepted, Enacted or Amended
Article
Subject Matter
Ch. 261
1896
Division of the Town
Ch. 50, § 20, § 21
1898
Sidewalks
Ch. 170 of the Acts of 1891
1899
To give towns jurisdiction over highways and county bridges
Ch. 132 of the Acts of 1894
1899
Precinct voting
Ch. 548, § 360
Ballots
Ch. 11, § 341 of the Acts of 1902
1905
Election of Road Commissioner
Ch. 502 of the Acts of 1906
1908
School Physician
Acts of 1908
1909
Protection of forest and sprout lands from fire
Ch. 503 of the Acts of 1912
1912
Pensioning laborers
Ch. 807 of the Acts of 1913
1913
Workmen's compensation (county)
Ch. 487 of the Acts of 1913
1914
Call men
Ch. 807 of the Acts of 1913
1914
Workmen's compensation
Ch. 494, § 42 of the Acts of 1909
1914
Eight-hour day
Ch. 634 of the Acts of 1911
Retirement system
Ch. 790 of the Acts of 1914
Party enrollment
Ch. 688 of the Acts of 1914
Saturday half holiday
Ch. 311 of the Acts of 1919
1919
Establishment of continuation schools
Ch. 116 of the Acts of 1919
1919
Interest on deposits in savings bank paid once a month
Ch. 423 of the Acts of 1909
1920
Granting licenses for the sale of ice cream, soda, water, fruit, and confectionery on the Lord's Day
Ch. 516 of the Acts of 1922
1923
Accounting system
Ch. 70 of the Acts of 1925
Baldwinville Water District
Ch. 91
Improvements — rivers and streams
1928
Sunday Sports Act
Ch. 136, § 20 - § 25 (amended)
1930
Certain sports and games permitted on the Lord's Day
Ch. 41, § 97
1934
Establishment of a Police Department
Ch. 94, § 120A
1945
Regulating trade
Ch. 723 of the Acts of 1945
1945
To authorize the establishment and maintenance of municipal departments and of district for furnishing advice and assistance to veterans of WWII and other veterans
Ch. 177 of the Acts of 1946
1947
Contributory retirement
Ch. 71, § 40
1948
Equal pay for equal work
Ch. 41, Sec. III
1948
Grants annual vacations to certain Town employees
Ch. 353 of the Acts of 1948
1948
Authorizing Town to supply itself and its inhabitants with water
Ch. 114, § 22 - § 26
1948
Provides for election by ballot of a Board of Cemetery Commissioners consisting of 3 persons
Ch. 40, § 42A to § 42F
STM 10-24-1949
4
Water rates and charges to be a lien on real estate
Ch. 45, § 19
1950
Establishment of Town Forest
Ch. 111, § 27A
1950
Establishment of Health District
Ch. 41, § 81A
1950
Establishment of Planning Board
Ch. 820 of the Acts of 1950
1951
Increases in retirement allowances, annuities, other benefits
Ch. 71, § 16 - § 16I
1951
Establishment of regional school district with Hubbardston, Royalston and Phillipston
Ch. 781 of the Acts of 1951
1952
Increasing the amounts of pensions and retirement allowances for former public employees
Ch. 71, § 16 to 16I
1955
Establishment of regional school district with Phillipston
Ch. 85, § 11A[1]
1956
Registration of bicycles operated within the Town
Ch. 41, § 1
1957
Term of Constables to be three years
Ch. 18, § 1 - § 3
1960
Disposition of certain buildings by Selectmen
Ch. 40, § 8C, Ch. 40, § 5, Clauses 51 and 50
STM 10-30-1961
5
Conservation Commission appointed by Selectmen; maintenance and operation of Commission
Ch. 40, § 6B
1962
Purchasing of clothing for Auxiliary and Reserve Police
Ch. 32A; amended by Ch. 647
1962
Insurance — elderly persons
Ch. 40, § 6H of the Acts of 319 (1961)
1962
Repairs on private ways
Ch. 40B
1968
Montachusett Regional Planning District
Ch. 40, § 22D
1971
Towing and storage for snow removal
No local option
1971
Final date for obtaining blank nomination paper
Ch. 48, § 42, § 43, § 44
1974
Appointment of part-time Fire Chief
Ch. 164A
1974
New England Power Pool
Ch. 1152 of the Acts of 1973
1975
Regional Building Inspector with Ashburnham, Westminster, Hubbardston
Ch. 41, § 97A
1975
Police Department
Ch. 40, § 15C
STM 1-29-1975
4
Scenic roads
Ch. 40, § 8B
1976
Council on Aging
Ch. 271, § 22B
1976
Beano
Ch. 41, § 63
ATM 5-8-1976
42
Establishment of Sewage Commission
Ch. 40, § 8G
1977
Authority to enter into agreements for Mutual Aid (Police Department)
Ch. 41, § 100(i)
ATM 5-7-1977
39
Indemnification of elected/appointed municipal officers
Ch. 40, § 8D
1977
Establishment of Historical Commission
Ch. 40, § 5B
1977
Stabilization funds — Police, Fire, Highway
Ch. 41, § 1 and § 2
ATM 5-7-1977
38
Establishment of Board of Health
Ch. 40D
1978
Industrial Development Authority
Ch. 32B, § 7A
1978
Town will increase the Town's share of Blue Cross/Blue Shield premiums not to exceed 75%
Ch. 258, § 13
ATE 5-5-1980
1
Indemnification of municipal officers, elected or appointed
Ch. 262, § 34
1981
9
Town Clerk fees
Ch. 90, § 20A 1/2
1982
11
Governing parking tickets
Ch. 59, § 5, Ch. 743 of the Acts of 1981 (inserting cl. 17C)
1982
Tax exemptions for certain elderly persons, surviving spouses, and minors
Ch. 40, § 8E
1982
11
Establishment of Youth Commission
Ch. 59, § 5, Ch. 653 of the Acts of 1982, § 5 (adding cl. 41B)
1983
9
Tax exemptions for certain elderly persons
Ch. 597 of the Acts of 1982
1983
18
Special Prisoner of War licenses
Ch. 40, § 5B
1984
48
Stabilization Fund - concerning upgrading of landfill
Ch. 41, § 19I
1984
Town Clerk can hold more than one office
Ch. 161B, § 3
1985
17
Joined the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority
Ch. 40, § 5B
1985
Establishment of a Stabilization Fund
Ch. 64G, § 3A
1985
19
Imposition of a local room occupancy excise at the rate of 4%
Ch. 40, § 57
1986
Lists submitted by Tax Collector of Licenses and Permits issued to delinquent taxpayers
Ch. 194 of the Acts of 1986
1987
22
Taxpayer may designate on municipal tax bill an amount (not less than $1) for scholarship
Ch. 40, § 5B
1988
16
Stabilization funds revision
Ch. 59, § 5
STM
7
Elderly real estate tax exemptions
Ch. 245 of the Acts of 1988
1989
23
Subdivision bond $100,000
Ch. 41, § 2
ATM 5-15-1990
24
Increased number of Selectmen from 3 to 5
Ch. 32, § 22D
ATM 5-15-1990
16
Cap on Worcester County Retirement
Ch. 148, § 26I
ATM 5-15-1990
25
Automatic sprinkler systems
Ch. 41, § 100G 1/4
STM 10-16-1990
9
Town payment of funeral expense for police and firefighters killed in line of duty
Ch. 59, § 57C
1994
25
Establishment of quarterly system of property tax payments
Ch. 44, § 53F 1/2
1994
47
Establish a Water Department Enterprise Fund
Ch. 44, § 53F 1/2
1994
48
Establish a Sewer Department Enterprise Fund
Ch. 41, § 69B
1994
49
Establish a Water Surplus Account
Ch. 40,§ 21D
1994
22
Noncriminal disposition of bylaw violations
Ch. 140, § 136A - § 175
1996
21
Withdraw from Worcester County dog licensing system and have Town Clerk implement such licensing process
Ch. 39, § 15
ATM 5-13-1997
14
Matters requiring a 2/3 vote
Ch. 44, § 53E 1/2
ATM 5-13-1997
59
Revolving fund for Wiring, Plumbing, and Gas Inspectors
Ch. 41, § 23C
ATM 5-12-1998
11
Created position of Executive Secretary (Town Coordinator)
Ch. 44, § 53E 1/2
ATM 5-12-1998
16
Revolving account for Communications Commission to provide cellular phone service to all departments
Ch. 44, § 53E 1/2
STM 9-2-1998
4
Revolving account for parking fine fees
Ch. 143, § 3Z
ATM 5-12-1999
7
Authorize Building Inspector to engage in a business for which he/she is certified, within the Town, provided that such work is inspected by an alternate inspector
Ch. 44, § 53E 1/2
ATM 5-12-1999
9
Revolving fund for Council on Aging
Ch. 44, § 53E 1/2
ATM 5-12-1999
10
Revolving fund for Police Department
Ch. 59, § 5, Clauses 17, 17C, 17C 1/2, 17D
ATM 5-12-1999
17
Increase cost-of-living adjustment (2/3%) to increase exemption granted to certain senior citizens, surviving spouses, minors
Ch. 170 of the Acts of 1999; Ch. 41, § 19K
ATM 5-9-2000
16
Additional compensation of a Town Clerk, Treasurer, and Tax Collector upon state certification (10%/$1,000) (This law is only for Town Clerk.)
Ch. 93 of the Acts of 2000
5-25-2000
Establishment of Water Department under Templeton Municipal Lighting and Water Plant
Ch. 59, § 5, Clauses 17, 17C, 17C 1/2, or 17D
STM 10-23-2001
3
Increased cost-of-living adjustment to 2002 amount to be used to increase the exemption granted to certain senior citizens and surviving spouses and minors
Ch. 44, § 53E 1/2
STM 10-23-2001
9
Revolving account for Zoning Board of Appeals
Ch. 44, § 53E 1/2
STM 10-23-2001
10
Revolving account for Conservation Commission
Ch. 32
ATM 5-14-2002
8
Early Retirement Incentive Program
Ch. 40, § 22F
ATM 5-14-2002
10
Authorizing municipal boards or officers who issue licenses, permits, or certifications to fix reasonable fees
Ch. 59, § 5, Clause 17, 17C, 17C 1/2, or 17D
ATM 5-14-2002
31
Increased cost-of-living adjustment to 2003 amount used to increase exemption
Ch. 44, § 53E 1/2
ATM 5-14-2002
37
Revolving fund for Board of Health fees collected for site assignment hearings
Ch. 44, § 53E 1/2
ATM 5-14-2002
38
Revolving fund for Board of Health to deposit fees associated with Recycling Center
Ch. 44, § 53F 1/2
ATM 5-13-2003
11
Board of Health Sanitary Landfill Enterprise Fund beginning with FY 2004
Ch. 44, § 53E 1/2
ATM 5-13-2003
19
Revolving fund for the Animal Control Office
Ch. 44, § 53E 1/2
ATM 5-13-2003
20
Revolving fund for Fire Department to deposit receipts collected from burning permits
Ch. 44, Sec. 53E 1/2
STM 6-24-2003
5
Established Revolving fund for Highway Dept. to deposit receipts collected from driveway permits and road cut openings, amount to be expended not to exceed $20,000
Ch. 111, § 26G
5-12-2004
49
Septic system installers; inspections, with added provision that the installer is responsible for the cost of the inspections
Ch. 41, § 1B
STM 2-1-2005
1
Elected Town Treasurer to become an Appointed Treasurer
Ch. 41, § 1B
STM 2-1-2005
2
Elected Town Collector to become an Appointed Collector
Ch. 59, § 5, cl. 17, 17C, 17C 1/2, or 17D
ATM 5-10-2005
11
Cost-of-living increase 2.8%
Ch. 32B, § 2B
ATM 5-17-2005
48
Designate call firefighters as employees eligible for the Town's group insurance and charge each eligible call firefighter 100% of premium
Ch. 59, § 5, cl. 17, 17C, 17C 1/2, or 17D
ATM 5-9-2006
14
Cost-of-living increase 3.3%
Ch. 40, § 4A
ATM 5-9-2006
36
Authorizing Board of Selectmen, in consultation with Board of Health, to enter into an intermunicipal agreement with 2 or more governmental units for term not to exceed 25 years to provide public health services
Ch. 59, § 2A(a)
ATM 5-15-2007
11
(Next-to-last sentence, as inserted by Section 40 of Ch. 653 of the Acts of 1989) Buildings and other things erected on or affixed to land during the period beginning January 2 and ending June 30 of FY preceding that to which the tax relates shall be deemed part of such real property as of January 1 (beginning FY08)
Ch. 59, § 5, cl. 17, 17C, 17C 1/2, or 17D
ATM 5-15-2007
12
Cost-of-living adjustment of 4.3% for senior citizens and surviving spouses and minors
Ch. 40, § 4A
ATM 5-15-2007
32
Intermunicipal agreement with Town of Hubbardston and/or Town of Winchendon for animal control operations
Ch. 44B
ATM 5-15-2007
45
Community Preservation Committee
Ch. 143, § 3Z
STM 5-13-2008
6
Other employment of part-time inspector of buildings, building commissioner, local inspector or alternate
Ch. 59, § 5, cl. 41C
STM 12-1-2008
15
Increased income limit for senior tax exemption
Ch. 59, § 5, cl. 41C
STM 12-1-2008
16
Increased asset limit for senior tax exemption
Ch. 60, § 15
STM 12-1-2008
17
Charge of $10 for each written demand issued by collector
Ch. 82A, § 2
ATM 5-19-2009
43
Permits for excavation of trenches on public and private land and ways
Special legislation
ATM 5-19-2009
44
Authorizing Town to grant additional license for sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk off premises
Ch. 40, § 8C
ATM 5-17-2010
50
Conservation Fund for use of Conservation Commission
Ch. 138, § 33B
STM 10-28-2010
6
Selling of alcoholic beverages
Ch. 83, § 16A - § 16F
STM 10-28-2010
7
Grants Town the authority to record a lien upon real estate for unpaid rates and charges due Town for providing for a sewer system
Ch. 60A, § 1
STM 3-3-2011
3
Exemption for motor vehicle excise for residents on active military duty
Ch. 60A, § 9
STM 3-3-2011
4
Exemption for motor vehicle excise for deployed Guardsmen and Reservists
Ch. 59, § 5, cl. 56
ATM 5-11-2011
18
Authorizing Board of Assessors to grant real and personal property tax abatement of 100% to members of Massachusetts National Guard and Reservists on active duty
Ch. 44, § 53E 1/2
ATM 5-11-2011
35
Revolving funds for FY 2012
Ch. 44B, § 6
ATM 5-11-2011
37
Community Preservation FY 2012
Ch. 59, § 5, cl. 17, 17C, 17C 1/2 or 17D
ATM 5-16-2012
21
Increase the cost-of-living 2.65% granted to certain senior citizens, surviving spouses, and minors
Ch. 59, § 21A
ATM 5-16-2012
26
Additional compensation to Assessor or Assistant Assessor who has been awarded a certificate by the Association of Massachusetts Assessors
Ch. 59, § 5K
ATM 5-16-2012
27
Senior Tax Work-Off Program[2]
Ch. 40, § 13
STM 11-15-2012
3
Section 13D Reserve Fund for future payment of accrued liabilities for compensated absences due an employee or officer of Town upon termination of employment
Ch. 138, § 17
STM 11-15-2012
7
Authorizing the Town to grant an additional license for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk off the premises
Ch. 59, § 5, cl. 17D
ATM 5-14-2013
14
Cost-of-living adjustment 1.64% to certain senior citizens, surviving spouses and minors
Ch. 59, § 5, cl. 17D
ATM 5-17-2014
8
Increase cost of living 1.37% for FY 2015
Ch. 44, § 53E 1/2
ATM 5-19-2014
17
FY 2015 Revolving Funds
Special Act
ATM 5-19-2014 and 5-21-2014
31
Fiscal 2014 General Fund Deficit
Ch. 32B, § 20
ATM 5-14-2016
2
OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits Fund)
Ch. 59, § 5, cl. 54
ATM 5-13-2017
3
Establish minimum value of personal property subject to taxation of $5,000 beginning FY 2018
Ch. 200A, § 9A
STM 11-14-2017
10
Abandoned funds
[1]
Editor's Note: MGL c. 85, § 11A, was repealed by St. 2008, ch. 525, § 2.
[2]
Editor's Note: This acceptance was amended 5-13-2017 ATM by Art. 4 to change the hourly rate from $8 to "as the Board of Selectmen shall, from time to time, set as the minimum wage of the Town in compliance with statute."