reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 41 § 1 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 1 - Town Officers to Be Elected; Tenure

Section 1. Every town at its annual meeting shall in every year when the term of office of any incumbent expires, and except when other provision is made by law or by charter, choose by ballot from its registered voters the following town officers for the following terms of office:  A town clerk for the term of one or more years.  A town treasurer for the term of one or more years.  One or more collectors of taxes for the term of one or more years, unless the town votes otherwise or votes to authorize its treasurer to act as collector.  Three or more selectmen for the term of not more than three years, subject to the provisions of section twenty-one.  One or more assessors for the term of not more than three years.  One or more auditors for the term of one or more years, except where such office is abolished as provided in section fifty-five.  One or more highway surveyors for the term of one or more years; or one or more road commissioners for the term of one or more years.  One or more sewer commissioners for the term of one or more years if the town has provided for such officers, unless the town by vote authorizes its road commissioners to act as sewer commissioners.  A tree warden for the term of one or more years, unless the town by vote or by-law provides that he shall be appointed.  One or more constables for a term of one or more years, unless the town by vote provides that they shall be appointed.  Three or more members of the school committee for terms of not more than three years.  Three or more assistant assessors, if the town so votes, for the term of not more than three years.  Three or more members of the board of health for the term of one or more years if the town provides for such board, otherwise the selectmen shall act as a board of health.  All other town officers shall be appointed by the selectmen unless other provision is made by law or by vote of the town.  In any town or district in which the election date of the officers, authorized under this section, is changed, the officers currently serving shall continue to hold their offices until the appointment or election and qualification of their successors.  In any case where three or more members of a board are to be elected for terms of more than one year, as nearly one-third as may be shall be elected annually.  The provisions of this section or any of the following sections of this chapter which authorize or require the fixing of the terms of office of members of any board, commission or body in such a manner that all such terms would not expire at the same time shall not apply with respect to such board, commission or body after the town has voted under section two of chapter fifty-four A to elect the members thereof by the proportional representational method of election. In no case shall the term of any officer exceed five years.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 1a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 1a - District Defined

Section 1A. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the word ''district'', as used in this chapter, shall mean a fire, water, sewer, water pollution abatement, refuse disposal, light, or improvement district, or any other district, howsoever named, formed for the purpose of carrying out any of the aforementioned functions, whether established under general law or special act.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 1b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 1b - Appointed Town Offices and Boards; Acceptance by Voters

Section 1B. Any office or board, except the board of selectmen and the school committee, elected under the provisions of section 1 may become an appointed position or board by a majority vote of the annual or special town meeting and acceptance by the voters of the town at the annual town elections; provided, however, that any vote by a special town meeting taken under the provisions of this section shall take place at least 60 days prior to the acceptance of the voters at the annual town election. For purposes of this section, the positions of town treasurer and collector of taxes, elected pursuant to section 1, may be combined into 1 position and become an appointed position in the manner provided in this section. Such acceptance by the voters shall be in the form of the following question, to be placed on the official ballot:  Shall the town vote to have its elected (Title(s) of office or board) become an appointed (Title(s) of office or board) of the town? Yes ___ No ___  If a majority of votes cast in answer to said question is in the affirmative, said office or board shall become appointed in accordance with the provisions of this section.  Any incumbent of such office or board serving at the time of acceptance by the voters shall continue to hold said office and to perform the duties thereof until the expiration of the term for which said individual was elected or until said individual otherwise vacates such office; provided, however, that any individual elected to an office or board which becomes an appointed office or board at the same election, under the provisions of this section, shall hold said office and perform the duties thereof until the appointment to said office is otherwise made under the provisions of this section.  Such appointment shall be made by the board of selectmen for a term not to exceed three years, unless such mode of appointment or term is otherwise provided by law.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 2 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 2 - Establishment of New Board or Office; Effect; Increase or Decrease in Board Membership or Number of Officers

Section 2. Where the town elects a new board or officer to perform the duties of an existing board or officer, the office of such existing board or officer shall terminate upon the qualification of the new board or officer. Where official ballots are used, the establishment of a new board or office, or the fixing of the term of office of town officers where such term is optional, or the increase or reduction of the number of members of a board, shall be determined at a meeting held at least sixty days before the annual town election. In towns not using official ballots the matter may be determined by vote at the annual meeting. Such vote shall continue in effect until rescinded. If a town votes to increase the number of members of any board, such increase shall be made by adding one or more to each class, to hold office according to the tenure of the class to which they are severally chosen, as will within three years effect it, and such vote to increase shall remain in force until the increase under it is accomplished. If a town votes to diminish the number of members of any board, such diminution shall be made by choosing annually such number as will within three years effect it, and a vote to diminish shall remain in force until the diminution under it is accomplished. If a town votes to reduce a board of three members to a single officer, such vote shall take effect at the following annual town meeting, and upon election and qualification of such officer the term of said board shall terminate; provided, however, that in towns where official ballots are used, unless the vote thus passed is more than sixty days before the annual town election, it shall not take effect until the next annual town election.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 3 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 3 - City Officers; Powers and Duties

Section 3. Officers of cities shall have the powers and be subject to the liabilities of the corresponding town officers, if no other provisions are made relative to them.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 4 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 4 - Penalty for Failure to Choose Selectmen or Assessors

Section 4. A town which does not choose selectmen or assessors shall forfeit such amount, not less than one hundred nor more than five hundred dollars, as the county commissioners of the county where the town is situated may order.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 4a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 4a - Members of Town and District Boards Eligible to Hold Other Offices; Salary

Section 4A. Except as otherwise expressly provided, a district board, if authorized by vote of the district at an annual district meeting, or a town board may, if authorized by vote of the town at an annual town meeting, appoint any member thereof to another town or district office or position for the term provided by law, if any, otherwise for a term not exceeding one year. The salary of such appointee shall be fixed by vote of the town or district, notwithstanding the provisions of section one hundred and eight. In this section, the word ''town'' shall not include city.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 5 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 5 - Voting List; Use

Section 5. The voting list shall be used and the name of every person voting shall be checked thereon, in the election of all town officers whose election is by law required to be by ballot; but in the election of other town officers, the meeting shall determine whether the voting list shall be used.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 6 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 6 - Use of Official Ballots; Towns Authorized to Provide For

Section 6. A town may, at a town meeting, vote that official ballots as defined in section one of chapter fifty shall thereafter be used therein; and may, at the annual town meeting or at a meeting held at least thirty days before the annual town meeting, by a two thirds vote rescind such action. In town elections at which official ballots are used, nominations for town officers elected by ballot shall be made, ballots and other apparatus therefor provided, and elections of such officers conducted, in accordance with chapters fifty to fifty-six, inclusive, so far as applicable.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 7 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 7 - Use of Official Ballot; Determination of Extent

Section 7. If a town votes that official ballots shall be used for the election of town officers, it shall at the same meeting determine what officers, in addition to those required to be elected by ballot, shall thereafter be chosen by official ballot, and determine the number and terms of office, if not already fixed. No change shall thereafter be made in the officers to be chosen by official ballot, or in the number or terms of office thereof, except at a meeting held at least sixty days before the annual meeting at which such change is to become operative.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 8 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 8 - Handling of Ballots

Section 8. At any meeting for the choice of town officers in a town not using official ballots, no ballots shall be received by the moderator unless presented for deposit in the ballot box, open and unfolded, by the voter in person, and so that the moderator can know that only one ballot is presented. No moderator or other election officer shall, before the polls are closed, read, examine, or permit to be read or examined, the names contained upon any ballot.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 9 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 9 - Handling of Ballots After Tabulation; Sealing

Section 9. If the town clerk, selectmen, assessors, treasurer, collector of taxes and school committee are voted for on one ballot, the moderator shall cause all such ballots, when canvassed and counted, and record thereof has been made, publicly to be enclosed in envelopes, which shall be sealed and endorsed, and certified in the manner required by section one hundred and seven of chapter fifty-four.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 10 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 10 - Failure to Elect; Procedure to Fill Vacancy; Notice

Section 10. If there is a failure at an election to choose a town officer, except a selectman, or if a person chosen shall not accept such office, or if a vacancy shall occur, the town may at any meeting elect a person to such office.  If, at an election of town officers for which official ballots are used, there is a failure to elect a town officer, he may be elected at an adjourned or succeeding meeting; and ballots shall be prepared and furnished for such meeting, containing the nominations already made and such as may subsequently be made for the office.  The proceedings in such election and the qualifications of a person to be elected or appointed in case of failure to elect, refusal to accept or vacancy shall be the same as in an original election.  If there is a failure to elect or a vacancy occurs in the office of selectman, the remaining selectmen or selectman may call a special election to fill the vacancy and shall call such election upon the request in writing of two hundred registered voters of the town, or twenty per cent of the total number of registered voters of the town, whichever number is the lesser; provided, that such request is filed with them or him not less than one hundred days prior to the date of the next annual election.  If there is a resignation of a town officer creating a vacancy at some later time certain, and such resignation is filed with the town clerk in accordance with the provisions of section one hundred and nine, said town clerk shall certify a vacancy shall occur at the later time certain and the board of selectmen may call a special election as provided in this section; provided, however, that no such election may be held prior to the effective date of the resignation creating such vacancy.  No election shall be held for any office pursuant to this section unless the selectmen file with the town clerk notice of an election for such office not less than fifteen days before the last day to submit nomination papers to the registrars of voters for certification, before the election or any preceding primary, caucus, or preliminary election.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 11 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 11 - Appointment to Fill Vacancy in Town Office

Section 11. As used in this section, the term ''vacancy'' includes a failure to elect. If a vacancy occurs in any town office, other than the office of selectman, town clerk, treasurer, collector of taxes or auditor, the selectmen shall in writing appoint a person to fill such vacancy. If there is a vacancy in a board consisting of two or more members, except a board whose members have been elected by proportional representation under chapter fifty-four A, the remaining members shall give written notice thereof, within one month of said vacancy, to the selectmen, who, with the remaining member or members of such board, shall, after one week's notice, fill such vacancy by roll call vote. The selectmen shall fill such vacancy if such board fails to give said notice within the time herein specified. A majority of the votes of the officers entitled to vote shall be necessary to such election. The person so appointed or elected shall be a registered voter of the town and shall perform the duties of the office until the next annual meeting or until another is qualified.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 12 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 12 - City Clerks; Tenure

Section 12. In cities which accepted chapter three hundred and thirty-two of the acts of nineteen hundred and one, the term of office of the city clerk shall be three years from the date of his election or appointment, except that in cities required to elect a city clerk in December his term shall be three years from the beginning of the next municipal year. In either case the clerk shall serve until the qualification of his successor unless sooner removed; and a person appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of city clerk shall hold the office until the end of the unexpired term of his predecessor.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 13 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 13 - Bond of Town Clerk

Section 13. Every town clerk shall, within ten days after his election and thereafter, at intervals of not more than one year, so long as he continues to hold said office, give bond to the town for the faithful performance of his duties, in a form approved by the commissioner of revenue and in such sum, not less than the amount established by said commissioner, as shall be fixed by the selectmen. If he does not give bond as herein required the selectmen may declare the office vacant and fill the vacancy in the manner prescribed in section fourteen.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 13a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 13a - Bond of City Clerk

Section 13A. Each city clerk, except in Boston, shall, within ten days after his qualification, give bond to his city with a surety company authorized to transact business in the commonwealth as surety, in a form approved by the commissioner of revenue and in such sum, not less than the amount established by said commissioner, as shall be fixed by the mayor and aldermen, conditioned faithfully to account for all fees received by him for licenses and duplicates thereof for which he is required by law to account, and for the payment over in accordance with law of all such fees, less such sums, if any, as he is allowed by law to retain therefrom.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 13b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 13b - Renewal of Licenses and Permits; Delegation of Authority

Section 13B. In a city in which the board of aldermen or city council is the licensing authority such board or council may delegate from time to time to the city clerk of such city, subject to such conditions and limitations as it may impose, the powers vested in such board or council to renew licenses or permits authorized to be renewed under the provisions of chapter one hundred and forty, or of any other general or special law.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 14 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 14 - Temporary Clerk

Section 14. If the office of city clerk is vacant, or if a city clerk is unable to perform the duties required by chapters fifty to fifty-six, inclusive, the mayor shall appoint a temporary clerk to perform such duties. If at a town meeting the office of town clerk is vacant, or if the town clerk is absent, the meeting shall elect by ballot a temporary clerk. The selectmen, or in their absence three persons chosen at the meeting in such manner as the voters present shall determine, shall receive and count the votes and declare the election of such clerk. If in case of a vacancy other duties than those required of a town clerk at a town meeting are to be performed, or if he is unable to perform such duties, the selectmen may in writing under their hands appoint a clerk for the performance thereof, who shall be sworn and shall, in the performance of such duties, have the same powers and be subject to the same requirements and penalties as the town clerk, and he shall immediately make a record of his election or appointment. A temporary clerk appointed under this section shall not be required to be a resident nor a registered voter of the city or town.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 15 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 15 - Town Clerks; Powers and Duties

Section 15. The town clerk shall record all votes passed at town meetings held during his term of office. He shall administer the oaths of office to all town officers who apply to him to be sworn, and shall make a record thereof and of the oaths of office taken before justices of the peace of which certificates are filed. He shall, immediately after every annual election of town officers, transmit to the state secretary, on blanks to be furnished by him, a complete list of all town officers elected and qualified and shall promptly report to the secretary any changes in such officers. He shall, except in the county of Suffolk, within seven days after the qualification of a constable make return of his name to the clerk of the courts and to the sheriff of the county. He shall make and keep an index of instruments entered with him required by law to be recorded, which shall be divided into five columns, with appropriate headings for recording the date of reception, the names of parties and the book and page on which each instrument is recorded. It shall be open to public inspection.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 15a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 15a - Certification of Appropriations

Section 15A. City and town clerks and clerks of districts shall, as soon as an order or vote appropriating money becomes effective, certify, in a city to the treasurer, assessors and auditor or similar officer, and in a town to the assessors and the town accountant, if any, otherwise to the treasurer, and in a district to the assessors and the accounting officer, if any, otherwise to the treasurer, each appropriation in detail, and the provisions made for meeting the same, if specified in the appropriation order or vote.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 16 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 16 - Oaths of Town Officers; Return of Certificate

Section 16. A justice of the peace administering the oath of office to any town officer shall, within seven days thereafter, return to the town clerk a certificate thereof.