The zoning bylaw may be adopted and from time to time changed
by amendment, addition or repeal, but only in the manner hereinafter
provided. Adoption or change of the zoning bylaw may be initiated
by the board of selectmen, the board of appeals, by an individual
owning land with respect to which a change is sought, by request of
registered voters of Swansea pursuant of [to] MGL c. 39, § 10,
by the planning board, or by the regional planning agency. The board
of selectmen shall within 14 days of receipt of such zoning bylaw
amendment submit it to the planning board for review and a public
hearing, to be held within 65 days of transmittal by the selectmen.
No proposed zoning bylaw or amendment which has been unfavorably
acted upon by the town meeting shall be considered by the town meeting
within two years after the date of such unfavorable action unless
the adoption of such proposed bylaw or amendment is recommended in
the final report of the planning board.
After town meeting adoption, Swansea must submit any bylaw or
amendment thereto to the attorney general for approval. A statement
must also be sent which explains the bylaws or amendment, which statement
may be accompanied by explanatory maps or plans.
Within 120 days after adoption of an ordinance, bylaw or amendment
thereto, legal action may be taken regarding defects in the procedure
of adoption. Within seven days after commencement of the action, a
copy of the petition must be filed with the town clerk. Unless an
ordinance or bylaw is found to be invalid through the above action,
a claim of invalidity may not be made in any future legal proceedings.