Source: https://www.ecode360.com/15404433
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 04:44:47+00:00

Document:
§ A405-1 Ipswich River legislation.
§ A405-2 List of Special Acts applicable to Town.
Bridge across river, constructed by county, 1848, c. 51, s. 8, p.873.
Dams across river, 1823, c. 136, v. 6, p. 190.
Fishways in certain dams, 1825, c. 78, v. 6, p. 385.
Highway over, by county, 1876, c. 107, v. 14, p. 43; 1881, c. 45, v. 14, p. 620.
Regulation of taking of alewives, v. 1, p. 191, 451; v. 2, p. 128; v. 3, p. 524; v. 4, p. 1, 222, 475; v. 5, p. 12; 1823, c. 33, v. 6, p. 113; 1824, c. 101, v. 6, p. 267; 1825, c. 78, v. 6, p. 385; 1829, c. 49, v. 6, p. 824; 1855, c. 171, v. 10, p. 493; 1845, c. 14, v. 10, p. 493; 1856, c. 58, v. 10, p. 505; 1856, c. 248, v. 10, p. 581; 1868, c. 157, v. 12, p. 466.
Averill may drive piles in Ipswich River, 1850, c. 54, v. 9, p. 138.
Dam across (Manning), 1823, c. 136, v. 6, p. 190.
Dodge's Saw Mill, control of fisheries, v. 4, p. 1.
Farley's Mill, fishway through dam, 1839, c. 134, v. 8, p. 134.
Flint's Mill, fishway in dam, v. 5, p. 144.
Ipswich Manufacturing Co. Mill, fishway through dam, 1845, c. 79, v. 8, p. 429.
Reading and South Reading not required to pay maintenance of bridges over Ipswich River, 1824, c. 125, v. 6, p. 281.
Water Supply Acts, 1889, c. 359, v. 16, p. 170; 1890, c. 313, v. 16, p. 452; 1893, c. 145, v. 16, p. 1189; 1894, c. 404, v. 17, p. 274; 1896, c. 362, v. 17, p. 971.
Improvement of Channel, 1906, 473.
Dredging and repairing Town wharf, 1950, R. 77; 1955, R. 103.
Sale of waters - Lynnfield Water District, 1968, 606.
Mill River, etc., use of seines in, R.L. 91, s. 48, 79.
Gloucester, water diverting by, for period of two years, borrowing for laying pipes and conduits authorized 1965, 872.
Investigation of greenhead fly nuisance, 1946, R. 58.
Improvements, relative to financing by the Town of North Reading, 1961, 249.
Improvements authorized - departments of public works in North Reading, Wilmington and Middleton, 1951, R. 29.
Public Water Supply Resources - investigation and study relative to water resources commission, 1926, R. 39; 1927, R. 30; 1964, R. 58; 1965, R. 122; 1953, R. 56.
Sewerage conducted into river by Ipswich, 1929, 26.
Taking of water supply by Beverly 1913, 700; 1915, 309 (S); 1919, 115 (S); time extended for 1922, 66; 1925, 19; 1928, 61; 1931, 31; 1933, 50; 1937, 88; 1941, 197.
Taking of water supply by Danvers, 1913, 699; 1919, 115 (S); time extended for, 1922, 66; 1925, 19; 1928, 61; 1931, 31; 1933, 50; 1937, 88; 1941, 197.
Investigation as to taking water supply, 1911, R. 54; 1917, R. 73; 1918, R. 26.
Taking of water supply by Lynn, 1901, 508; 1919, 115; time extended for, 1922, 66; 1925, 19; 1928, 61; 1931, 31; 1933, 50; 1937, 88; 1941, 197; affected, 1907, 479 and 1917, 262 (S).
Taking of water supply by Peabody, 1913, 698; 1919, 115; time extended for 1922, 66; 1925, 19; 1928, 61; 1931, 31; 1933, 50; 1937, 88; 1941, 197.
Ipswich River Watershed District, 1966, C. 682.
Taking of water supply by Peabody, change in allowable direction of diversion, 1967, 307.
Establish a special commission to study creating an Ipswich River Valley Planning District, 1973, R. 79.
Town of Ipswich may take water from Ipswich River if flow at Sylvania Dam is 50 mgd, 1976, 456.
Town of North Reading may withdraw water from the Ipswich River with DEQE approval, 1976, 408.
Town of Burlington withdraws from Ipswich River Watershed District, 1977, 712.
Town of Danvers is authorized to draw water from the Ipswich River, 1977, 268.
President of the Ipswich River Watershed Association, Inc., or his designee, shall serve on the Ipswich River Watershed District Advisory Board, 1981, 323.
The Massachusetts General Court has enacted various special laws relating to the Town of Ipswich. Persons using this index should recognize that reference to the text of each statute as enacted is essential to a complete understanding thereof. The notes which accompany the index merely summarize briefly the subject matter of the statutes. Each statute is cited by reference to the "Acts and Resolves of Massachusetts."
The index begins with the year 1920 simply because an arbitrary decision was made that earlier special enactments would have little or no practical significance for persons interested in determining what is the "governing body of law" under which the Town operates presently. Note also the adoption, in 1966, of the "Home Rule Amendment," so-called, to the Massachusetts Constitution (Article 89) and to the enactment, at a Special Session of the General Court in 1966, of Chapter 734 ("Home Rule Procedures"), which became Chapter 43B of the General Laws. The Home Rule Amendment provides in Section 9 that the General Court shall act in relation to cities and towns "...only by general laws which apply alike to all cities, or to all towns, or to all cities and towns, or to a class of not fewer than two..." Special laws which apply to particular municipalities are authorized in only four situations which are specifically defined. Because of the Home Rule Amendment and the enabling legislation enacted pursuant thereto, we conclude that there will be relatively few occasions in the future when our State Legislature will enact special statutes for the Town of Ipswich, especially in such narrow terms as some of those hereinafter reported.
Providing for an eight-hour day.
Sale at public auction, by a Commissioner to be appointed by the Probate Court for Essex County, of the rights of unknown owners of land in Jeffries Neck Pasture, upon the application of any owner of such a right or rights.
Exempting Joseph J. Horton, as Superintendent of Schools for the Town of Ipswich, from the requirement of MGL c. 32, § 10, that members of the Teachers' Retirement Association must retire at the age of 70 and provided that he might continue as a member of the Association.
Calling for referenda on certain Town Meeting actions.
Authorizing the Trustees of the Burley Education Fund in Ipswich to expend part of the fund, not to exceed half, for the purpose of enlarging the Burley School.
Establishing a procedure for the submission of certain Town Meeting votes to a ballot referendum by the voters at large. Pursuant to the terms of Section 6 of the statute, it was submitted to the voters of Ipswich for acceptance or rejection at the 1923 Annual Town Meeting, the question being made a part of the official ballot for the election of Town officers in that year. The majority of the votes cast on the question being in the affirmative (398-154), the legislation was accepted.
Repeal of the legislation was authorized by Chapter 70, Acts of 1957. The question of repeal was submitted to the voters of the Town at the Annual Election held on March 10, 1958; a majority of the voters voted for repeal (1,238-886).
Authorizing the Town of Ipswich to incur debt in excess of statutory limitations, in an amount not to exceed $30,000, for the purpose of making changes in, and extensions of, its water systems.
Authorizing the Town of Ipswich to refund portions of its water and electric light loans: (a) by cancellation of water loan notes then held in a sinking fund and maturing after 1923 in an amount not exceeding $18,800 and by issuance of a like amount of bonds or notes to mature in 10 years from their date of issue; and (b) by cancellation of electric light notes then held in a sinking fund and maturing after 1923 in an amount not exceeding $21,900 and by issuance of a like amount of bonds or notes to mature in 10 years from their date of issue. The amount of indebtedness authorized was to be in excess of statutory limitations.
Authorizing the Department of Education to pay to the Town of Ipswich the sum of $11,605, "being the amount in addition to sums already paid, which the Town would have received in 1931 and 1932, except for errors in claims for reimbursement filed with said Department."
Authorizing the Town to borrow money for the purpose of acquiring land for a new high school, and for constructing and originally equipping such a school, the loans not to exceed $50,000 in the aggregate and such borrowing to be accomplished within a period of five years from the date of approval of the legislation.
The statute included a provision that no loan pursuant thereto might be authorized unless the Town should vote, with respect to any such loan in the year in which it was authorized, to raise in the tax levy in the same year a sum equal to not less than 10% of the amount of such loan.
The statute further provided that it would not become effective unless it should be accepted by a majority of the registered voters of the Town voting on the question by official ballot at an Annual Town Meeting, or at a Special Town Meeting called for the purpose, held within one year from the enactment of the legislation. The statute was approved on May 23, 1934.
At the Annual Town Election held on March 11, 1935, the Town accepted the legislation by vote of 924 in the affirmative to 585 in the negative.
The statute made it unlawful for any person to display "torches or other lights" for the purpose of taking herring or other fish in any waters of the Town of Ipswich. The Selectmen were, however, authorized to grant permits for the display of torches or lights for such purpose, subject to such restrictions as in their judgment would prevent such activity from becoming a nuisance.
The law carried penalties for its violation as follows: a fine of from $50 to $200; or imprisonment for a term of six to 12 months; or both fine and imprisonment; and for second and subsequent offenses, both fine and imprisonment.
Authorizing the Town to elect by ballot at Annual Town Elections, commencing in 1937, persons to constitute a Board of Trustees to be vested with responsibility for management of Town-owned land at Great Neck. The legislation provided for submission of the act for acceptance by the Town at the Annual Town Meeting of 1936.
Article 31 of the Warrant for the 1936 Annual Town Meeting presented to the voters the question of acceptance. A motion for acceptance was duly made and seconded. Before the vote was taken, the presence of a quorum was questioned. A count of the house having been taken, the Moderator determined that a quorum was not in attendance. The meeting was then adjourned sine die.
Enacting particular provisions for the investment and disbursement of funds in the hands of the Trustees of the Burley Education Fund of Ipswich. Before the statute could become effective, the Town was required to accept its terms by majority vote at an Annual or Special Town Meeting. By unanimous vote at a Special Town Meeting on September 2, 1937, the Town accepted the legislation.
Authorizing the Town to pay a pension to Valorus H. Grant, who had served as a police officer for more than 30 years. The legislation further provided that it could become effective upon acceptance by a majority of the voters at an Annual Town Meeting held within two years after its enactment. Acceptance was voted at the Annual Meeting held on March 7, 1938, and an annual pension of $1,456 was authorized.
Authorizing an investigation relative to the greenhead fly nuisance in tidal areas of Ipswich and other towns.
Authorizing the Town to construct, maintain and operate a municipal sewerage system and, "for the purpose of paying the necessary expenses and liabilities" incurred with respect thereto, to borrow not in excess of $600,000.
The effectiveness of the statute was made conditional upon its acceptance by the voters of the Town at any Town Meeting held within five years after enactment. The question of acceptance or rejection was to be placed on the official ballot to be used at said meeting, with the majority of the votes cast on the question to determine the issue.
The Town accepted the legislation on March 11, 1946.
On April 6, 1981, the Town Meeting voted to rescind that portion of Section 7 of Chapter 30, Acts of 1946, which prescribed a flat 6% interest rate of unpaid sewer betterments, said action being taken under the provisions of MGL c. 4, § 4B.
The legislation authorized the Town to retire and grant a pension to Edward S. Cogswell, who had served for many years as Town Clerk, said pension to be in the amount of $1,200 payable in equal monthly installments.
Effectiveness of the enactment was made conditional upon its acceptance by a majority of registered voters at an Annual or Special Town Meeting. At a Special Town Meeting held on November 3, 1947, the Town voted unanimously to accept the legislation.
The act authorized the Massachusetts Department of Public Works to protect Little Neck Shore against erosion by the sea and to expend therefor, subject to appropriation, the sum of $2,500 in conjunction with a like sum of $2,500 to be provided by the Feoffees of the Grammar School. The authorization for the work was made conditional upon the deposit by the Feoffees with the State Treasurer of said sum of $2,500.
The statute, which created a Town Manager Charter for the Town, was submitted to the voters of the Town and accepted at the Annual Election of March 13, 1950, by vote of 1,418 in the affirmative against 1,035 in the negative. Chapter 84 of the Acts of 1954 amended the Charter by adding a new section relating to the powers, rights and duties of the Board of Selectmen. The entire Town Manager Charter was revoked by vote of the Town at the Annual Election of March 8, 1954.
Authorizing the Town, subject to a vote of acceptance by the Board of Selectmen, to retire and pension of Charles A. Mallard.
Repeal of Chapter 486 of the Acts of 1952.
Authorizing the establishment for the Town of a Selectmen-Executive Secretary form of government. The legislation was enacted by the General Court presumably in response to action taken at a Special Town Meeting held May 20, 1954, "to instruct our representative in the General Court to file a bill entitled 'An Act to Establish a Selectmen-Administrator form of government for the Town of Ipswich.'" Chapter 620 was submitted to the voters of the Town at the biennial state election held in November 1954. The vote in favor of acceptance was 2,136 and in opposition 856.
The Selectmen-Executive Secretary Charter was revoked at the Annual Town Election of March 12, 1962. The vote in favor of revocation was 1,587 and against revocation 1,558. By the terms of Chapter 620, the revocation did not take effect until the following March.
Authorizing the repeal of Chapter 345 of the Acts of 1922. As has been noted in the comments above relating to said Chapter 345, the Town acted pursuant to the authorization to effect the repeal.
Validating certain Town Meeting proceedings as follows: (a) the proceedings at the Special Town Meeting of June 3, 1957, and at an adjournment thereof on June 11, 1957, with respect to the authorization of a $600,000 sewer construction loan; and (b) the action of the Town in voting acceptance of Chapter 70 of the Acts of 1957 at the Annual Election of March 10, 1958. The statute further provided that the words "revenue-producing department" included in the Town Bylaw relating to voting procedures for authorization of bond issues shall be taken to mean the Water and Electric Light Departments and no other.
Authorizing the Town to use the unexpended balance of the proceeds of a certain bond issue originally designated for construction of a standpipe toward the cost of construction of a 12-inch water pipeline.
Subject to approval of the voters of the Town in a vote to be taken at the 1960 Annual Town Election, the statute would have provided life tenure for the then present incumbent in the office of Town Engineer. The result of the referendum being 1,278 voters opposed and 1,265 in favor, the Town rejected the legislation.
Referring to a vote passed by the Town at the Annual Town Meeting held on March 7, 1960, the statute provided that the action taken at the meeting should be deemed to have increased, pursuant to MGL c. 32, §§ 96 and 97, the annual retirement allowance payable to Samuel H. Williams et al. to the amount of $1,200, in each case effective from March 7, 1960, as though the names of said persons and a proposal to increase their respective retirement allowances to $1,200 in each instance had been included in the warrant article pursuant to which the vote was taken at the time of posting of the warrant.
Subject to approval of the voters of the Town in a vote to be taken at the 1961 Annual Town Election, the statute would have provided life tenure for the then present incumbent in the office of Town Engineer. The result of the referendum being 1,448 voters opposed and 1,263 in favor, the Town rejected the legislation.
The statute validated and confirmed the action of the Town, taken pursuant to Article 23 of the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting of March 5, 1962, in transferring $27,500 from the Sewer Receipts Reserve Account and in authorizing the borrowing of $59,400, both sums to be expended to construct extensions of the sewerage system.
The statute, which amended Chapter 30 of the Acts of 1946, provided that the Town, subject to appropriation, should use the receipts from sewer rentals or use charges and from sewer assessments and payments made in lieu thereof to defer charges and expenses incidental to the maintenance and operation of the sewer system, or to the extension thereof, and to service interest and principal payments on account of bonds or notes issued for sewer purposes.
Effectiveness of the legislation was made conditional upon its acceptance by the Town at the Annual Election of 1963. The vote in favor of acceptance was 1,996 and in opposition 574.
Authorizing life tenure for Russell L. Scahill as the incumbent in the position of Chief of the Fire Department. The statute required the affirmative acceptance of the voters of the Town to become effective. At the Annual Town Election held on March 11, 1963, acceptance was approved by a vote of 2,022 in favor and 961 opposed.
The statute provided for the appointment by the Board of Selectmen of a suitably qualified person to the office of Town Treasurer and Tax Collector and for abolition of the elective office of Collector-Treasurer. The term of the appointment was to be for three years.
The statute provided that it would take effect on April 1,1965, if accepted at the Annual Town Meeting in 1964. The question of acceptance was submitted to the voters under Article 25 of the warrant, and the vote in favor was unanimous.
The statute validated and confirmed the action of the Town, passed by vote of December 27, 1962, in appropriating funds for sewer purposes and authorizing the issuance of bonds therefor.
Authorizing the Board of Selectmen to act as a Water and Sewer Board, and renamed the former Board of Water and Municipal Light Commissioners as the Municipal Light Board, vesting said board with all powers, and making it subject to all responsibilities as are conferred or imposed by the General Laws upon Municipal Light Boards.
The legislation was to become effective upon its acceptance by the Town; such acceptance was accomplished at the Annual Meeting of March 7, 1966, when the voters approved a motion for acceptance made pursuant to Article 53 of the warrant.
The statute was modified in its effect and operation when the Town accepted Chapter 620 of the Acts of 1955 (the present Town Charter) and subsequently when the Town amended the Charter itself to provide that the Selectmen should act in the capacity of Water and Sewer Commissioners and Electric Light Commissioners.
Subject to the approval of the voters of the Town, the statute established a Selectmen-Town Manager form of government for the Town of Ipswich. As required by the terms of the legislation, the question of acceptance was placed before the voters at the Annual Town Election held March 13, 1967. The result of the poll was 1,509 votes in the affirmative, and 677 votes in the negative; and Chapter 620 was accepted and became effective immediately.
Authorizing the formation of a Vocational Regional School District by the cities of Haverhill and Newburyport and by the Towns of Amesbury, Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, Ipswich, Merrimac, Newbury, Rowley, Salisbury, Topsfield, and West Newbury.
Authorizing the Town to sell and convey certain of its parkland to the First and South Congregational Church in Ipswich.
At a Special Town Meeting held September 10, 1968, the Town voted to accept the terms and conditions of Chapter 582.
The statute created an Historic and Scenic District Planning Commission, on which the Town of Ipswich was entitled to membership, for a duration from July 5, 1975, until June 30, 1978, when the special commission expired.
Authorizing the renewal of certain federal aid anticipation notes.
Exempted the position of Electric Light Manager from the Civil Service Law.
Exempted the position of Superintendent of Cemeteries, Water/Sewer Superintendent, Manager of the Water Department, and Superintendent of Streets from the Civil Service Law.
Authorizing the Commonwealth Department of Environmental Management to convey certain land off Linebrook Road to Essex County for Chapter 90 road reconstruction purposes.
Exempted the Town from the provisions of MGL c. 140, § 137 ("The County Dog Fund").
Validated the proceedings of the April 1, 1985, Annual Town Meeting.
Authorizing the Town to appropriate funds for an annuity for the benefit of John Thomas; Article 18 of the April 4, 1994, Annual Town Meeting appropriated the sum of $34,300 to set up an individualized, noncontributory annuity.
Validated the proceedings of the April 4, 1994, Annual Town Meeting.
Operation of the Town sewer system.
Authorizing the Board of Selectmen to issue three additional all-alcoholic licenses to Turner Hill, Konstantine Sakkas, dba Ithaki Restaurant, and The Trustees of Reservations, dba Castle Hill Foundation.
Authorizing the Town to establish and maintain a special Open Space, Recreation, and Water Supply-Watershed Protection Fund through a room occupancy tax, effective July 1, 2001.
Providing for the acquisition of conservation land in the Town of Ipswich for expansion of Willowdale State Forest.
Appointment of certain named persons as fire fighters under civil service, the maximum age limits notwithstanding.
Authorizing certain persons to take a civil service examination for fire fighter notwithstanding the maximum age requirements.
Providing for the appointment of Special Police Officers at the Crane Reservation.
Authorizing the Ipswich Board of Selectmen to sell the former Middle School Annex Building and a portion of the land upon which it is located, together with (a) utilities easement(s), and to exempt any improvements from MGL c. 7, and MGL c. 149, § 38K.
Establishing the Ipswich Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Authorizing Town to change the use, care, custody and control of a portion of Town-owned land from the Conservation Commission to the Board of Selectmen.
Granting a license for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises of the Hellenic Center.
Authorizing Town to make an appeal to the Appellate Tax Board.
The licensing authority of the Town of Ipswich petition to grant an additional license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises under MGL c. 138, § 12, to Ipswich RE Holdings LLC for the establishment located at 30 South Main Street in the Town of Ipswich. The license shall be subject to all of said MGL c. 138, except § 17. The Town of Ipswich shall not approve the transfer of the license to any other location. The license may be reissued by the licensing authority at the same location if an applicant for the license files with the licensing authority a letter in writing from the Department of Revenue indicating the license is in good standing with the Department and that all applicable taxes have been paid. The licensing authority may then grant the license to a new applicant and at the same location and under the same conditions.
The terms of the trustees serving on the board of trustees established under Chapter 145 of the Acts of 2004 are hereby terminated and the offices of that board are hereby abolished. The trustees of the Ipswich Affordable Housing Trust Fund shall be lawful successor of the board of trustees established under Chapter 145 of the Acts of 2004. All funds, real and personal property and other assets in the care, custody and control of the board of trustees established under Chapter 145 of the Acts of 2004 are hereby transferred to the care of the board of trustees of the Ipswich Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Notwithstanding any provision of the first sentence to the contrary, if the owners of not less than 66 2/3% of the land abutting a proposed sewer project, calculated on a basis consistent with a determined method of betterment of those lots to be served by the project in accordance with MGL c. 83, § 15, petition the Sewer Commissioners for construction of extension of the sewer system to betterment, the Sewer Commissioners may assess betterments up to 100% of the cost of such extension to the sewer system.
No appropriation to be raised by bonds except for an appropriation less than 1/10 of 1% of the total current equalized valuation of the Town shall be adopted unless the article has received a 2/3rds majority vote by Town Meeting.
Establishing a post-employment health insurance liability fund.
Authorizing transfer to certain parcels of land.

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