Following is a list of Town Meeting votes relating to Massachusetts General Laws and special acts:
1889
Voted to unite with the Towns of Easthampton and Westhampton for the purposes of employing a Superintendent of Schools under the provisions of Chapter 431, Acts of 1888
1889
Voted to adopt necessary resolutions and bylaws in regard to truants; this was adopted and incorporated into original bylaws as Section 19
1895
Voted the Town accept provisions of Chapter 347, Acts of 1890, and that we raise and appropriate the sum of $25 for the support of the library and elect a Board of 12 Library Trustees to serve as 4 Trustees for 1 year, 4 for 2 years and 4 for 3 years
1899
Voted that the Moderator and Clerk nominate some suitable person to act as Tree Warden under Chapter 339, Acts of 1899
1899
Voted to see if the Town will accept Chapter 264, Acts of 1890, entitled "An Act Relative to Public Cemeteries"
1907
Voted that the Town of Southampton waive all rights under the provisions Chapter 47, Section 10, of the revised laws in regard to construction of state highways (voted to pass over)
1929
Voted to raise and appropriate $2,240; Chapter 81 of the General Laws as amended by Chapter 315, Acts of 1926
1931
Unanimously voted that the Town accept Chapter 339, Acts of 1931, An Act To Authorize the Town of Southampton To Supply Itself and Its Inhabitants With Water (see Town Report dated June 22, 1931, minutes of Special Town Meeting)
1939
Unanimously voted to accept the provisions of Chapter 152 of the General Laws of Massachusetts Tercentenary Edition and amendments thereto
1949
Voted the Town accept Section 59A, General Laws (Ter. Ed.) Chapter 48, as follows: response of Fire Department to calls for aid from other towns, cities, etc.
1951
Ballot question: voted to accept the provisions of Section 19(b) of MGL c. 41, relative to permanent tenure in the office of Town Clerk to be in force in this Town (for Clyde C. Connor)
1953
Voted to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1953, and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within 1 year and to renew any notes or notes as may be given for a period of less than 1 year in accordance with Section 17, MGL c. 44
1955
Voted to accept Section 81A of MGL c. 41, providing for the establishment of a Planning Board and amendments thereto
1956
Voted to accept zoning (bylaw) as authorized by the Zoning Enabling Act, MGL c. 40A
1957
Voted to accept provisions of Section 5A, Chapter 718, Acts of 1956, allocating the sum of $10,503.21 to be used for highway construction
1957
Voted to establish a Regional School District Planning Commission under the provisions of Section 14 of MGL c. 71
1957
Voted to accept provisions of 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
1958
Voted to accept Sections 16 to 16I inclusive of MGL c. 71 providing for establishment of a regional school district with Easthampton and Westhampton
1961
Voted to establish a welfare district (with other towns) in accordance with MGL c. 118B
1961
Voted to establish a stabilization fund, according to Section 5B of MGL c. 40
1962
Voted to accept provisions of Chapter 782, Acts of 1962, and allocate $7,002.14 to be used for highway construction
1963
Voted to establish a Regional School District Committee, in accordance with provisions of Section 14 of MGL c. 71
1965
Voted to establish a Conservation Commission by accepting provisions of Section 8C of MGL c. 40, and the provisions of Section 5, Clause 51 of MGL c. 40 (the motion also established that the Commission was to consist of 7 members)
1966
Voted to authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a Town Accountant to have powers of a Town Auditor, as defined in Sections 50 to 53 inclusive of MGL c. 41. The term of office shall be for 3 years, and the responsibility as outlined in Section 55 to Section 61 inclusive of MGL c. 41
1969
Voted to accept the provisions of Section 8A of MGL c. 40 as established by Chapter 297, Acts of 1954, and amended by Chapter 102, Acts of 1955, and establish a Development and Industrial Commission of 5 members with all if the powers and duties thereof as provided in said Section 8A of MGL c. 40
1970
Voted to establish under the provisions of MGL c. 40, § 8D, a Historical Commission of the Town of Southampton, for the purposes and with the rights and duties provided by law, to be composed of 7 members; initial appointments shall be 2 members for 1 year, 2 members for 2 years, and 3 members for 3 years, with their successors appointed for terms of 3 years each, with vacancies to be filled by appointment for balance of term, all appointments to be made by the Town Board of Selectmen
1980
Voted to accept the provisions of MGL c. 48, § 59A, to authorize the Southampton Fire Department to go to the aid of another city, town, fire district or area under federal jurisdiction in this commonwealth or in any adjoining state in extinguishing fires therein or rendering any other emergency aid or performing any detail as ordered by the head of the Fire Department as designated in the agreement approved and signed by the Board of Selectmen, on file in the office of the Town Clerk
1980
Voted the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to direct the Town Attorney to make an annual report beginning fiscal year 1981 and annually thereafter, in accordance with MGL c. 40, § 21(12)
1985
Voted that the Town of Southampton accept the provisions of MGL c. 64G, § 3A, authorizing the Town to impose a local excise tax upon the transfer of occupancy or room or rooms in a hotel, lodging house, or motel located within Southampton
1985
Voted the excise tax rate permitted under MGL c. 64G, § 3A, which has been accepted by the Town of Southampton, be established at the rate of 4% of the total amount of rent for each occupancy
1987
Voted the Town accept under the provisions of MGL c. 40, § 39K, An Act Authorizing Cities and Towns To Establish Enterprise Funds, and to establish an enterprise fund for water utility services pursuant to this section
1987
Voted to accept the provisions of Section 3, Chapter 73, Acts of 1986, amending MGL c. 59, § 5, Clause 41C, real estate tax exemption for elderly persons, effective fiscal year 1988
1987
Voted to accept the provision of Chapter 73, Section 3, Clause 17D, real estate tax exemption for surviving spouse, minor with parents deceased, or persons over 70, effective fiscal year 1988
1993
Voted the Town accept MGL c. 32B, § 18, relative to health insurance for retirees
1995
Voted to establish the following revolving funds under MGL c. 44, § 53E 1/2: Fire Inspections Revolving Fund, Electrical Inspections Revolving Fund, Plumbing Inspections Revolving Fund, Health Inspections Revolving Fund, Council on Aging Revolving Fund, Board of Health Revolving Home Composting Bin Account
1997
Voted to establish a Conant Park Pavilion Rental Revolving Fund under MGL c. 44, § 53D
1997
Voted to establish a Fire Inspections Revolving Fund under MGL c. 44, § 53E 1/2
1998
Voted to establish a Dog Licensing Revolving Fund under MGL c. 44, § 53E 1/2
1998
Voted to establish a Pistol Permit Revolving Fund under MGL 44, § 53E 1/2
1999
None
2000
None
2001
None
2002
None
2003
Voted MGL c. 59, § 5K, property tax liability reduced in exchange for volunteer services, persons over 60, Chapter 184, Section 52, Acts of 2002, effective July 1, 2002
2004
None
2005
None
2006
None
2007
None
2008
Voted to create stabilization fund used for any lawful purpose, MGL c. 40, § 5B
2009
Voted for each written demand issued by the Tax Collector a fee of $15 to be added and collected as part of the tax, MGL c. 60, § 15, effective September 1, 2009
2010
None
2011
Voted exemptions granted for any fiscal year beginning on or after July 1, 2012, by increasing the income limits to $18,000 for single and $20,000 for married persons, MGL c. 59, § 5, Clause 41C
2011
Voted to establish a fair cash value of less than $5,000 to be exempt from personal property tax, MGL c. 59, § 5, Clause 54
2012
None
2013
None
2014
None
2015
Voted to authorize Town Accountant to establish a Tax Title Collection Revolving Fund for the Treasurer-Collector which in turn will make collection of back taxes somewhat easier in that fees and related charges will now be paid from the revolving fund, rather than from the limited general fund; maximum amount that may be spent being $10,000 (FY 16), MGL c. 60, § 15B
2016
None
2017
None
2018
None
2019
Voted to adjust eligibility factor for property tax exemption for fiscal year beginning on or after July 1, 2019, by increasing the income limits to $20,000 for single and $25,000 for married couples; also reducing the minimum age requirement from 70 years to 65 years
2019
MGL c. 59, § 5, Clause 41C
2019
Town vote to become member in the Pioneer Valley Mosquito Control District for a minimum of 3-year period and to fund the membership fee transfer/appropriate $5,000 from free cash, MGL c. 252, § 5A
2020
None
2021
None
2022
Voted to accept the provisions of MGL c. 44, § 55C (12-13-2022 STM, Art. 14)
2023
Voted to rescind prior acceptance of MGL c. 48, §§ 42, 43, 44, or any predecessor versions of said statutes, and adopt the provisions of MGL c. 48, § 42A (12-5-2023 STM, Art. 20)
2025
Voted to accept the provisions of MGL c. 44, § 54(b), to allow Town trust funds to be invested in accordance with MGL c. 203C, "Prudent Investment Rule" (3-22-2025 STM, Art. 2)
2025
Voted to adopt/re-adopt and accept the provisions of MGL c. 32B, § 20, establishing an Other Post-Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund (3-22-2025 STM, Art. 4)
2025
Voted to accept the provisions of MGL c. 41, §§ 45 and 47, establishing a Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds (5-6-2025 ATM, Art. 13)