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Town of Wayland, MA
Middlesex County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[The following is a list of votes taken at Town Meeting relating to acceptance of General Laws. Consult municipal records for a more detailed description of the action.]
Date Accepted
Election or Article
Statute Accepted
Now Codified As MGL
c.
Sec.
Subject Matter
April 10, 1878
13
Chapter 80, Acts of 1878
Authorizing Wayland to supply itself with pure water, to regulate the use thereof and control rates therefor
January 17, 1891
4
Chapter 386, Acts of 1890
41 53 54
6, 7, 10 2, 6-12, 16, 19, 40-42, 44-46, 48, 51, 64-65 67
Authorizing the printing and distributing of ballots for town elections at public expense and setting forth the procedure to be followed at such elections
January 17, 1891
5
Chapter 203, Section 1, Acts of 1883
41
24
Specifying the method of electing Assessors; repealed by Section 345 of Chapter 417, Acts of 1893
June 13, 1891
6
Chapter 36, Section 29
49
28
Authorizing a field driver to impound beasts in a pound on his own premises
June 4, 1893
2
Chapter 423, Section 72, Acts of 1890
54
6, 7 and 10
Dividing town into voting precincts
March 28, 1898
13
Chapter 331, Acts of 1888
Authorizing the regulation of the catching of pickerel; rescission attempted November 15 and December 14, 1900
March 27, 1899
9
Chapter 548, Section 332, Acts of 1898
41
62
Providing for and specifying the method of electing Highway Surveyor; superseded by vote March 4, 1942
March 27, 1899
10
Chapter 548, Section 335, Acts of 1898
Specifying the method of electing Overseers of the Poor; repealed by Chapter 658, Acts of 1967
November 15, 1900
3
Attempt to rescind the vote of March 28, 1898, accepting Chapter 331 of the Acts of 1888 regulating the taking of pickerel
December 14, 1900
2
Attempt to rescind the vote of vote of March 28, 1898, accepting Chapter 331 of the Acts of 1888 regulating the taking of pickerel
March 28, 1904
18
Chapter 346, Acts of 1902
39
14
Specifying the method of electing a Moderator
March 26, 1906
15
Chapter, 78, Sections 21-25
Cemetery Commissioners; superseded
Specifying the method of electing by Chapter 254, Acts of 1966
May 31, 1907
3
Chapter 11, Section 353
39
20
Establishing precinct voting for annual town elections
March 22, 1909
27
Chapter 209, Acts of 1908
48
13
Regulating the setting of open air fires
November 5, 1912
Referendum State Election
Chapter 503, Acts of 1912
32
77
Providing pensions for certain laborers employed by the town
March 26, 1913
17
Chapter 367, Acts of 1911, Sections 1 and 2, as amended by Sections 1, 2 and 3 of Chapter 320, Acts of 1912
71
71 to be used for other than school
Authorizing School Committee to permit school rooms and halls purposes
November 4, 1913
Referendum State Election
Chapter 807, Acts of 1913
152
69
Workmen's compensation (county)
November 3, 1914
Referendum State Election
Chapter 217, Acts of 1914
41
111
Granting vacations to laborer employed by the town
November 3, 1914
Referendum State Election
Chapter 790, Acts of 1914
Abolition of party enrollment
February 1, 1915
Referendum Town Election
Chapter 807, Acts of 1913
152
68-74A
Providing compensation for certain public employees for injuries sustained in the course of their employment (town)
February 7, 1917
12
Chapter 153, Acts of 1916
94
120
Established annual license fee for slaughtering businesses
February 4, 1918
Referendum Town Election
Chapter 23, Acts of 1917
140
47
Provides for licensing of coffee houses
February 4, 1918
Referendum Town Election
Chapter 254, Acts of 1917
Authorized town to pay employees who enlisted for World War I service difference between military and municipal compensation
November 4, 1919
Referendum State Election
Chapter 311, Acts of 1919
71
21-26
Authorized establishment and maintenance of continuation schools for minors under 16 who are regularly employed more than 6 hours per day
February 2, 1920
Referendum Town Election
Chapter 28, Sections 1-14 inclusive of Revised Laws 1902
45
2-9
Authorizing the laying out of public parks
May 26, 1920
4
Chapter 240, Acts of 1920
136
2, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25
Authorizing and regulating amateur athletic outdoor sports and games on the Lord's Day
March 9, 1921
14
Chapter 45, Sections 1-9
Authorizing cities and towns to lay out public parks
March 5, 1923
Referendum Town Election
Chapter 516, Acts of 1922
44
35
Town petitions for installation in Wayland of an accounting system by the commonwealth
March 5, 1924
15
Chapter 40, Sections 42A to 42F
Providing that unpaid rates and charges shall be a lien upon real estate and otherwise specifying the method of collecting the same
March 4, 1925
13
Chapter 41, Section 73
Authorizing the establishment of building lines no more than 40 feet distant from the exterior line of a public way
March 6, 1929
17
Chapter 82, Section 37
Authorizing the establishment of building lines no more than 40 feet distant from the exterior line of a public way
March 4, 1931
17
Chapter 94, Sections 120 and 120A
Provides additional per capita license fee for slaughtering businesses
December 14, 1938
7
Chapter 143, Section 3
Authorized enactment of a Building Code Committee appointed to prepare a draft set of bylaws
November 5, 1940
Referendum State Election
Chapter 183, Acts of 1939
Police Chief civil service
March 5, 1941
20
Chapter 211, Section 4, Acts of 1936
41
81K-81GG
Subdivision Control Law
March 5, 1941
20
Chapter 41, Acts of 1936, Section 4
41
81F-81J
Increased powers of Board of Survey
March 5, 1941
16
Chapter 41
41
Term of Selectmen from 1 year to 3 years
March 4, 1942
9
Chapter 41
41
63-64
Office of Highway Surveyor abolished and 3 Road Commissioners to be elected in its place, thereby changing procedure adopted under Article 9 of March 27, 1899 Town Meeting
March 4, 1942
15
Chapter 136, Sections 7 and 8
Authorizing the Selectmen to license the sale of frozen desserts on the Lord's Day
March 3, 1943
7
Chapter 41, Section 81A
Establishment of Planning Board
March 8, 1944
17
Chapter 139, Sections 1 to 3 inclusive and Chapter 143, Sections 6 to 11
common nuisances pursuant to MGL c.
Authorizing Selectmen to abate and remove buildings adjudged to be 111, § 122ff and giving Inspector of Buildings authority to remove or see that all structures be made safe pursuant to MGL c. 143
November 5, 1946
Referendum State Election
Chapter 166, Acts of 1946
32
1-28
Authorized establishment of a contributory retirement system for town employees other than teachers
November 30, 1949
15
Chapter 40, Section 27A
40A
8
Provides that no proposed bylaw making a change in any existing zoning bylaw which has been unfavorably acted upon by a town meeting shall be considered on its merits by the town meeting within 2 years after such action unless adoption of such proposed bylaw is recommended in the final report of the Planning Board or Board of Selectmen required by MGL c. 40A, § 36
March 22, 1950
30
Chapter 111, Section 128
111
128B-128F
Regulations establishing minimum standards of fitness for human habitation of dwelling places adopted pursuant to MGL c. 111, § 128ff
March 10, 1954
29
Chapter 142, Sections 1, 3, 6, 7 and 11-16
Provides for registration, licensing and regulation of plumbers and authorizes the town to adopt regulations relative to construction, alteration, repair and inspection of plumbing subject to strict limitations
March 6, 1957
6
Chapter 48, Sections 42, 43 and 44
Establishing a Fire Department under the control of a Chief
March 6, 1957
Chapter 145, Acts of 1956
41
23A
Selectmen authorized to appoint Executive Secretary
March 11, 1957
33
Chapter 332, Acts of 1955
40
42G-42I
Authorizes special assessments to meet the cost of laying water pipes in public or private ways
March 18, 1957
47
Chapter 54, Section 103A
Provides for voting by absentee ballot at regular town elections
March 5, 1958
Referendum State Election
Chapter 32B, Sections 1-12 and 14
Authorizing the town to provide a plan of contributory 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 the town and their dependents
March 5, 1958
13
Chapter 351, Acts of 1930
40
6B
Authorizes appropriation for Police and Fire Department uniforms
March 18, 1959
33
Chapter 332, Acts of 1958
142
2
Specified that all towns over 5,000 shall have a Plumbing Code in compliance with MGL c. 142
March 15, 1961
27
Chapter 40, Section 8C
Conservation Commission established
December 20, 1961
6
Chapter 40A, Section 20
Provides that no appeal or petition under Paragraphs 2 and 3 of MGL c. 40A, § 15, which has been unfavorably acted upon by the Board of Zoning Appeals shall be considered on its merits by said Board within 2 years after such action except with the consent of all but 1 member of the Planning Board
March 4, 1963
Referendum Town Election
Chapter 130, Acts of 1962
Offices of Tree Warden and Superintendent of Moth Extermination abolished; powers and duties vested in Cemetery Commissioners; superseded by vote of March 13, 1967
March 11, 1964
15
Chapter 54, Section 16A
Town Clerk may appoint competent person to be present at opening of polls in place of absent warden, clerk or inspector
March 11, 1964
18
Chapter 40, Section 6I
Authorizes town to construct, reconstruct, resurface and repair private ways which have been used by the public for 50 years or more
March 10, 1965
42
Chapter 40, Section 22D
Authorizes Selectmen to adopt regulations authorizing Police Chief to remove any vehicle parked in violation of law or impeding the removal of snow or ice
March 13, 1967
11
Chapter 254, Acts of 1966
Establishing a Park and Recreation Department in Wayland; Board of Park Commissioners and Cemetery Commissioners abolished
March 20, 1967
43
Chapter 90, Sections 20C and 20D
Provides for enforcement of parking regulations by use of parking tags
March 4, 1968
Referendum Town Election
Chapter 595, Acts of 1959
32B
9A
Authorizes town to pay 1/2 of premium costs payable by retired employees for group life insurance and group general or blanket hospital, surgical and medical insurance
March 4, 1968
Referendum Town Election
Chapter 40, Section 6C
Authorizes town to appropriate money for the removal of snow and ice from such private ways open to the public use as may be designated by the Selectmen
March 18, 1968
55
Chapter 152, Section 69
Town accepts once more the Workmen's Compensation provisions originally accepted February 1, 1915
March 18, 1968
56
Chapter 41, Section 99
Authorizes Chief of Police to requisition police officers from other towns and to provide Wayland officers in response to such requisitions and prescribes terms and conditions of such aid
March 18, 1968
57
Chapter 85, Section 11A
Provides for registration of bicycles
July 22, 1968
Selectmen
Chapter 48, Section 59A
Authorizes Fire Department to assist local officials of another municipality in extinguishing fires therein and prescribes terms and conditions for such aid
November 4, 1968
Selectmen
Chapter 174, Acts of 1968
32
56-60
Veterans' Retirement Law
March 2, 1970
Referendum Town Election
Chapter 32B, Section 9D
Town to pay 1/2 premium costs payable to spouse of employee or retired employee
March 9, 1970
20
Chapter 41, Section 97A
Establish a Police Department under the supervision of the Chief of Police
March 1, 1971
Referendum Town Election
Chapter 31, Section 48
Police Department placed with Classified Civil Service
March 3, 1971
15
Chapter 71, Section 16-16I
technical school district
Established a regional vocational-
March 5, 1973
Referendum Town Election
Chapter 32B, Section 11B
Group insurance to elderly persons retired from town and to their dependents with 50% of premium
March 12, 1973
13
Chapter 40, Section 8D
Historical Commission established
March 12, 1973
29
Chapter 44, Section 53C
Funds for payment of police officers for off-duty work details
March 20, 1974
60
Chapter 40, Section 15C
Scenic roads
April 28, 1975
15
Chapter 40, Section 8G
Provision for mutual aid programs for the Police Department
April 13, 1978
24
Chapter 41, Section 41B
Payment of public employees by direct bank credits
October 15, 1980
1
Chapter 40, Section 4G
$4,000 purchase limit without bid
April 6, 1981
Referendum Town Election
Chapter 258, Section 13
Save municipal officers, elected or appointed, from personal financial loss and expense not to exceed $1,000,000 from claim, demand or suit of judgment
November 18, 1981
4
Chapter 41, Section 81A
Planning Board reduced from 6 to 5 members
November 23, 1981
11
Chapter 351, Section 115, Acts of 1981
90
20A1/2
Parking Clerk placed under the authority of the Executive Secretary
May 3, 1982
9
Chapter 32B, Section 7A
Group insurance
April 24, 1985
21
Chapter 597, Acts of 1982
60A
1
Exemption from the motor vehicle excise for motor vehicle owned and registered by a former prisoner of war
November 13, 1985
4
Chapter 293, Acts of 1985
Unpaid charges for waste disposal to become lien
November 13, 1985
5
Chapter 188, Section 13, Acts of 1985
Professional development grants for teachers
May 5, 1988
26
Chapter 71, Section 71F
Revolving account for collection of tuition and payment of education expenses for nonresident special education students
May 5, 1988
27
Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 17D
Grant exemptions to elderly persons over 70, surviving minors and spouses
May 5, 1988
28
Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41C
Grant exemptions to elderly persons over 70
May 8, 1989
12
Chapter 40, Section 39K
Establish enterprise fund
May 8, 1989
25
Chapter 236, Acts of 1987
41
81U Par. 12
Allow Planning Board to spend bonds up to $25,000 without appropriation
May 2, 1990
1
Chapter 653, Section 40, Acts of 1989
Permits Assessors to assess buildings and other things erected between January 2 and June 30 as if they existed on January 1
May 2, 1990
2
Chapter 653, Section 41, Acts of 1989
Permits the town to issue real and personal property tax bills quarterly
April 29, 1991
12
Chapter 291, Acts of 1990
E-911 legislation
May 2, 1991
20
Chapter 148, Section 26E
Smoke detectors in private residential dwellings
May 2, 1991
21
Chapter 148, Section 26G
Automatic sprinkler systems
May 2, 1991
22
Chapter 148, Section 26I
Automatic sprinkler systems in new residential buildings with 4 or more dwelling units
May 2, 1991
23
Chapter 148, Section 26H
Automatic sprinkler systems in boardinghouses and lodging houses
May 6, 1992
21
Chapter 40, Section 22F
Setting of fees
May 4, 1992
5
Chapter 138, Section 126, Acts of 1991
59
5 Cl. A
Qualifying annual gross receipts of $40,000
May 1, 1995
8
Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 22 Paragraph 5
Shorten the residence requirement from 5 years to 1 year for veterans to begin receiving real estate tax exemption based on nature and extent of disability
May 6, 1996
24
Chapter 44, Section 53F 1/2
Establish enterprise fund for operation of sewer and wastewater treatment and disposal facilities
April 30, 1997
8
Chapter 73, Section 4, Acts of 1986, as amended by Chapter 126, Acts of 1988
Increase real estate tax exemption amounts, allowing an additional exemption of up to 100% for Fiscal Year 1998
May 4, 1998
1
Chapter 73, Section 4, Acts of 1986, as amended by Chapter 126, Acts of 1988
Increase real estate tax exemption amounts, allowing an additional exemption of up to 100% for Fiscal Year 1999
May 4, 1998
11
140
147A
Authority to regulate dogs
May 6, 1998
19
40
57
Denial, revocation or suspension of licenses or permits for failure to pay taxes or charges
June 4, 1998
6
41
108L
Police career incentive pay; salary increases; reimbursement
April 27, 1999
Annual Town Election
59
2D
Taxing of certain improved real property based on its value at the time an occupancy permit is issued
May 6, 1999
14
Chapter 73, Section 4, Acts of 1986, as amended by Chapter 126, Acts of 1988
Allow an additional exemption of up to 100% for Fiscal Year 2000
May 6, 1999
15
60
3D
Voluntary check-off for donations to elderly or disabled taxation fund
May 1, 2000
19
Chapter 73, Section 4, Acts of 1986, as amended by Chapter 126, Acts of 1988
Allow an additional exemption of up to 100% for Fiscal Year 2001
April 24, 2001
Annual Town Election
44B
3--7
Community preservation
April 30, 2001
12
41
19K
Compensation of Town Clerk
April 30, 2001
13
59
21A; 21A 1/2
Additional compensation for Assessors
April 30, 2001
18
Chapter 73, Section 4, Acts of 1986 as amended by Chapter 126, Acts of 1988
Allow an additional exemption of up to 100% for Fiscal Year 2002
April 29, 2002
13
Chapter 73, Section 4, Acts of 1986
Increase real estate tax exemption amounts, allowing an additional exemption of up to 100% for Fiscal Year 2003
April 29, 2002
16
80
13B
Allowing deferment of betterment assessments
May 1, 2002
33
41
108P
Compensation for Treasurer
April 3, 2003
11
Chapter 73, Section 4, Acts of 1986, as amended by Chapter 126, Acts of 1988
Allow an additional exemption of up to 100% for Fiscal Year 2004
May 5, 2004
12
Chapter 73, Section 4, Acts of 1986, as amended by Chapter 126, Acts of 1988
Allow an additional exemption of up to 100% for Fiscal Year 2005
May 5, 2005
18
Chapter 73, Section 4, Acts of 1986, as amended by Chapter 126, Acts of 1988
Allow an additional exemption of up to 100% for Fiscal Year 2006
April 27, 2006
11
Chapter 73, Section 4, Acts of 1986, as amended by Chapter 126, Acts of 1988
Allow an additional exemption of up to 100% for Fiscal Year 2007
April 27, 2006
17
32B
18
Transfer of retirees to Medicare extension plan
November 9, 2006
4
39
23D
Allowing Board of Appeals, Board of Health, Conservation Commission and Planning Board members to miss one session of adjudicatory hearings
April 29, 2007
11
Chapter 73, Section 4, Acts of 1986, as amended by Chapter 126, Acts of 1988
Allow an additional exemption of up to 100% for Fiscal Year 2008
April 14, 2008
11
Chapter 73, Section 4, Acts of 1986, as amended by Chapter 126, Acts of 1988
Allow an additional exemption of up to 100% for Fiscal Year 2009
April 13, 2009
12
Chapter 73, Section 4, Acts of 1986, as amended by Chapter 126, Acts of 1988
Allow an additional exemption of up to 100% for Fiscal Year 2010
April 15, 2009
2
39
23D
Adjudicatory hearings held by Historic District Commission
November 18, 2009
5
64L
2(a)
Local meals excise tax
May 13, 2010
10
Chapter 73, Section 4, Acts of 1986, as amended by Chapter 126, Acts of 1988
Allow an additional exemption of up to 100% for Fiscal Year 2011
April 7, 2011
13
Chapter 73, Section 4, Acts of 1986, as amended by Chapter 126, Acts of 1988
Allow an additional exemption of up to 100% for Fiscal Year 2012
April 9, 2012
7
44
53F 1/2
Establish enterprise fund for Town's water service, effective July 1, 2012
April 9, 2012
17
Chapter 73, Section 4, Acts of 1986, as amended by Chapter 126, Acts of 1988
Allow an additional exemption of up to 100% for Fiscal Year 2013
April 4, 2013
8
Chapter 73, Section 4, Acts of 1986, as amended by Chapter 126, Acts of 1988
Allow an additional exemption of up to 100% for Fiscal Year 2014
April 4, 2014
12
44
55C
Establish Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund
April 4, 2014
18
Chapter 73, Section 4, Acts of 1986, as amended by Chapter 126, Acts of 1988
Allow an additional exemption of up to 100% for Fiscal Year 2015
April 4, 2014
28
71
37M
Consolidation of Town and school administrative functions; authorization to consolidate financial, personnel, information technology, and maintenance functions
April 6, 2015
8
59
5N
Establishment of real property tax workoff program for veterans
April 6, 2015
28
60
15B
Establishment of tax title collection revolving fund
November 9, 2015
5
71
71E
Establishment and maintenance of revolving funds for adult education and continuing education programs
April 7, 2016
34
59
5C1/2
Allow an additional exemption of up to 100% for any fiscal year beginning on or after July 1, 2016
April 2, 2018
36
41
110A
Allow the Office of the Town Clerk to remain closed on any or all Saturdays and to treat Saturday as a legal holiday such that where the last day for performance of any act in any such office falls on a Saturday when said office is closed, the act may be performed on the next succeeding business day unless otherwise specified by statute
September 12, 2020
25
200A
9A
Alternative procedure for disposing of abandoned funds held in the custody of the Town
[1]
Editor's Note: The vote which authorized the Board of Selectmen to appoint an Executive Secretary was rescinded 5-3-2004 ATM by Art. 11.