reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 40 § 7 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40 - Powers and Duties of Cities and Towns|Section 7 - Removal of Ice and Snow From Sidewalks in Towns

Section 7. Any town which accepts this section or has accepted corresponding provisions of earlier laws may appropriate money for the removal of snow and ice from its sidewalks, in accordance with the provisions of section six of chapter eighty-five. This section shall not apply to cities.
MA Gen L ch 40 § 7a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40 - Powers and Duties of Cities and Towns|Section 7a - Prevention of Automobile Accidents

Section 7A. Cities and towns may appropriate money for the purpose of conducting and maintaining a specific program of safety activities designed to prevent automobile accidents; and such appropriations shall be expended under the direction of the mayor in a city or the selectmen in a town.
MA Gen L ch 40 § 8 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40 - Powers and Duties of Cities and Towns|Section 8 - Enforcement of Laws Relating to Civil Service

Section 8. A city, or a town which accepts chapter thirty-one or has accepted corresponding provisions of earlier laws, may appropriate money for the enforcement therein of the laws relating to its civil service.
MA Gen L ch 40 § 8a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40 - Powers and Duties of Cities and Towns|Section 8a - Development and Industrial Commission; Establishment; Duties; Membership; Tenure; Removals; Vacancies

Section 8A. A city or town which accepts this section may establish a development and industrial commission for the promotion and development of the industrial resources of said city or town. Such commission shall conduct researches into industrial conditions, investigate and assist in the establishment of educational or commercial projects, including projects involving private enterprise, for the purpose of expanding or strengthening the local economy, and shall seek to co-ordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for said purposes, and may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts and pamphlets which in its judgment will further the purposes for which it is established. The commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may require.  Such commission shall consist of not less than five nor more than fifteen members. The members in cities shall be appointed by the mayor, subject to the provisions of the city charter, except in cities operating under a Plan D or Plan E form of city charter, said appointments shall be by the city manager, subject to the provisions of the city charter; and in towns they shall be appointed by the selectmen, excepting towns having a manager form of government, in which towns such appointments shall be made by the town manager. When a commission is first established, the terms of the members shall be for such length, not exceeding five years, and so arranged that the terms of approximately one fifth of the members will expire each year, and their successors shall be appointed for terms of five years each. Any member of a board so appointed in a city may be removed for cause after a public hearing, if requested, by the mayor with the approval of the city council. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term in a city in the same manner as an original appointment, and in a town as provided in section eleven of chapter forty-one.
MA Gen L ch 40 § 8b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40 - Powers and Duties of Cities and Towns|Section 8b - Council on Aging; Establishment; Annual Reports; Recommendations by Department; Clerks and Employees

Section 8B. A city by ordinance or a town by by-law may establish a council on aging for the purpose of coordinating or carrying out programs designed to meet the problems of the aging in coordination with programs of the department of elder affairs. The council shall submit an annual report to the city or town and shall send a copy thereof to the department of elder affairs. Said department shall from time to time review and evaluate such reports and make recommendations as to any required or needed changes in said local programs. The council may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may require. The names, addresses, telephone numbers, or other identifying information about elderly persons in the possession of the council shall not be public records, but the use of these records shall comply with sections 14 to 24, inclusive, of chapter 19A as a condition of receiving a government contract, program grant or other benefit, or as otherwise required by law.
MA Gen L ch 40 § 8e (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40 - Powers and Duties of Cities and Towns|Section 8e - Youth Commission; Establishment; Powers and Duties

Section 8E. A city or town which accepts this section may establish a youth commission, hereinafter called the commission, for the purpose of carrying out programs which may be designed or established to meet the opportunities, challenges and problems of youth of said city or town and in conjunction with any similar or related programs of any agency of the commonwealth or any agency of the federal government. It shall keep accurate records of its meetings and actions and shall file an annual report which shall be printed in the case of towns in the annual town report. The commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may from time to time require. The commission shall consist of not less than three nor more than twenty-one members. In cities the members shall be appointed by the mayor, subject to the provisions of the city charter, except that in cities having or operating under a plan D or plan E form of city charter, said appointments shall be by the city manager, subject to the provisions of the charter; and in towns they shall be appointed by the selectmen, excepting towns having a manager form of government, in which towns appointments shall be made by the town manager, subject to the approval of the selectmen. When a commission is first established, the terms of the members shall be for one, two or three years and so arranged that the terms of approximately one third of the members will expire each year, and their successors shall be appointed for a term of three years each. Any member of a commission so appointed may, after a public hearing, if requested, be removed for cause by the appointing authority. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of a term shall in a city or town be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment. Said commission may receive gifts of property, both real and personal, in the name of the city or town, subject to the approval of the city council in a city or the selectmen in a town, such gifts to be managed and controlled by the commission for the purposes of this section.
MA Gen L ch 40 § 8f (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40 - Powers and Duties of Cities and Towns|Section 8f - Consumer Advisory Commission; Establishment; Annual Report; Clerks and Employees

Section 8F. A city by ordinance or a town by by-law may establish a consumer advisory commission for the purposes of conducting investigations and research into matters affecting consumer interests and education and of advising and reporting the results of such investigations and research to the general public as well as to local governmental authorities and law enforcement agencies. The commission shall submit an annual report to the city or town and shall send a copy thereof to the consumers' council of the commonwealth. The commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may require.
MA Gen L ch 40 § 8g (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40 - Powers and Duties of Cities and Towns|Section 8g - Mutual Police Aid Programs; Agreements

Section 8G. A city or town which accepts this section may enter into an agreement with another city or town, or other cities and towns including cities and towns in states contiguous to the commonwealth, to provide mutual aid programs for police departments to increase the capability of such departments to protect the lives, safety, and property of the people in the area designated in the agreement. Said agreement may include the furnishing of personal services, supplies, materials, contractual services, and equipment when the resources normally available to any municipality in the agreement are not sufficient to cope with a situation which requires police action. When providing such mutual aid, police officers shall have all the immunities and powers granted to them in the municipalities that employ them, including, but not limited to, powers of arrest.  While in transit to, returning from, and during a mutual aid response for another city or town, a participating police officer shall maintain the right of indemnification granted by law, or by his home city or town, or both, for all claims arising out of any action within the scope of his employment in accordance with a valid mutual aid agreement. A mutual aid agreement may provide for methods of activation or requesting and responding to mutual aid requests. The agreement may also address issues such as pay and benefits for officers, insurance, indemnification, injury compensation and other operational matters related to police services provided for a mutual aid response. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to expand or otherwise modify existing police powers as provided by law or any existing mutual aid agreement or both.
MA Gen L ch 40 § 8h (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40 - Powers and Duties of Cities and Towns|Section 8h - Recycling Programs

Section 8H. A city, town, or district may establish, by approval of the local legislative body, a recycling program for the purpose of recycling any type of solid waste including but not limited to paper, glass, metal, rubber, plastics, used tires and compostable waste. The program may be established for groups of cities, towns, or districts upon agreement of all municipalities or districts in a joint program.  Any recycling program established pursuant to this section may require that all residents, schools and businesses in a city or town separate from their solid waste those recyclables designated by the local legislative body. In cities and towns in which solid waste is collected at the curbside, the recycling program may include curbside collection of such recyclables. In cities and towns in which residents, schools or businesses may take their solid waste to a municipal landfill or transfer station, the recycling program shall include provision for the separation and storage at such landfill or transfer station of the solid waste being disposed by such resident, schools or businesses, and may include collection of recyclables at the curbside.  For purposes of this section, local legislative body shall mean the body of municipal government which is empowered to enact ordinances or by-laws and adopt an annual budget and other spending authorizations, whether styled as a city council, board of aldermen, town council, town meeting or by any other title. The department of environmental protection shall cooperate with local legislative bodies in the development of recycling programs, and no such program shall be established unless the municipality or district has first consulted with said department.  A city or town may appropriate money in any year to a recycling fund of which the treasurer shall be the custodian. He may deposit or invest the proceeds of said fund in savings banks, trust companies incorporated under the laws of the commonwealth, banking companies incorporated under the laws of the commonwealth which are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or national banks, or invest it in paid up shares and accounts of and in co-operative banks or in shares of savings and loan associations or in shares of federal savings and loan associations doing business in the commonwealth, and any income therefrom shall be credited to the fund. Money in said fund may be expended by said commission for any purpose authorized by this section, other than a taking by eminent domain.
MA Gen L ch 40 § 8k (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40 - Powers and Duties of Cities and Towns|Section 8k - Mapping Commissions; Powers and Duties; Members

Section 8K. A city by ordinance or a town by by-law may establish a mapping commission for the purpose of developing or coordinating the development of comprehensive maps of the municipality, including, but not limited to, parcel boundaries, location of utility lines, pipelines, and other structures, land use or items of geographic or geological interest.  A mapping commission shall: (1) develop and administer programs relating to such mapping of the community; (2) advise, assist and cooperate with state, regional and federal agencies in developing appropriate programs and policies relating to such mapping; (3) with the approval of the city or town, apply for, receive, expend, represent and act on behalf of the city or town in connection with federal grants, grant programs or reimbursements or private grants; (4) accept gifts, grants, bequests and devises from any source, whether public or private, for the purpose of assisting the authority in the discharge of its duties; (5) seek to coordinate the activities of governmental and private bodies organized for similar purposes. Said commission shall seek to coordinate all mapping efforts in a city or town in order that duplicative efforts be minimized. A mapping commission may offer for sale any products of its efforts, including maps, reports or other materials.  The commission shall consist of not less than three nor more than seven members. In cities the members shall be appointed by the mayor, subject to the provisions of the city charter, except that in cities having or operating under a Plan D or Plan E form of city charter, said appointments shall be by the city manager, subject to the provisions of the charter; and in towns the members shall be appointed by the board of selectmen, except that in towns having a manager form of government appointments shall be made by the town manager, subject to the approval of the board of selectmen.
MA Gen L ch 40 § 10 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40 - Powers and Duties of Cities and Towns|Section 10 - Public Markets; Establishment; Conditions; Regulation

Section 10. A city, or a town having a population of not less than ten thousand, may provide and maintain one or more public markets, with suitable buildings and grounds, and for this purpose may acquire land by gift or purchase or lease the same, with or without buildings, and may make alterations in buildings and construct new buildings on land so acquired or leased. Any city or town which does not so maintain a public market shall upon a petition signed by not less than five per cent of its voters designate one or more streets or squares or other public places, suitably situated and approved by the department of agriculture, to be used by farmers as public market places. Such a petition shall be filed with the city or town clerk, and he shall determine whether it contains a sufficient number of signatures and whether such signatures are genuine, and when satisfied that the petition meets the requirements of this section, he shall so certify to the mayor or the chairman of the board of selectmen and shall also notify the commissioner of agriculture that the petition has been filed and state to him the date of filing. Any city or town which maintains a public market or market place in accordance with this section may, subject to the approval of the commissioner of agriculture, make rules and regulations for the management and use thereof, and may prescribe penalties for their violation, and may also designate a market master, who may be a police officer or other municipal officer or employee, and who shall have charge of such markets or market places and shall conduct them in the interest of the market men and their customers, shall enforce said rules and regulations, and shall maintain order within the market limits.
MA Gen L ch 40 § 11 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40 - Powers and Duties of Cities and Towns|Section 11 - Prevention of Forest Fires

Section 11. A town may appropriate money for the prevention of forest fires to an amount not exceeding one tenth of one per cent of its equalized valuation as defined in section one of chapter forty-four. Every such town with a valuation of one million seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars or less which appropriates and expends money, with the approval of the director of the division of forests and parks in the department of environmental management, for apparatus to be used in preventing or extinguishing forest fires, or for making protective belts or zones and building or maintaining water holes or cisterns for fire protection purposes as a defense against forest fires, shall, upon the recommendation of said director, approved by the governor, receive from the commonwealth a sum equal to one half of the said expenditure; but no town shall receive more than five hundred dollars. A sum not exceeding ten thousand dollars may annually be expended by the commonwealth for this purpose. Whenever it has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of said director that such equipment has been destroyed or has become unfit for use, the town shall be reimbursed by the commonwealth one half the cost of replacing the same; provided that the amount paid to any one town in any one year shall not exceed one hundred dollars. All equipment purchased under this section shall be in the custody and care of the town forest warden. Said director or his deputies may inspect such equipment at such times as they may deem necessary.
MA Gen L ch 40 § 11a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40 - Powers and Duties of Cities and Towns|Section 11a - Beach Districts; Formation

Section 11A. For the purposes of clause (25A) of section five, any city may form a beach district, and the provisions of sections twelve B to twelve G, inclusive, shall, so far as pertinent, be applicable.
MA Gen L ch 40 § 12 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40 - Powers and Duties of Cities and Towns|Section 12 - Public Baths and Wash Houses

Section 12. A town which accepts this section, or has accepted corresponding provisions of earlier laws, by a two thirds vote at an annual meeting, may purchase or lease land, and erect, alter, enlarge, repair and improve buildings for public baths and wash houses, either with or without open drying grounds, and may make open bathing places, provide them with the requisite furniture, fittings and conveniences and provide instruction in swimming. Such town may establish rates for the use of such baths and wash houses, and appoint officers therefor, and may make by-laws for the government of such officers, and authorize them to make regulations for the management thereof and for the use thereof by non-residents of said town.
MA Gen L ch 40 § 12b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40 - Powers and Duties of Cities and Towns|Section 12b - Beaches for Public and Recreational Uses; Formation of District; Membership of Control Commission; Annual Audit

Section 12B. Two or more contiguous cities or towns may, in a city by vote of the city council thereof, and in a town by vote of the town at an annual meeting, form a district for the purpose of acquiring, whether by gift or otherwise, developing, maintaining and operating, within their territorial limits, beaches for public and recreational uses, and may pay over to the district treasurer, as provided in section twelve E, appropriations made for such purpose. Each of such districts shall be under the control of a commission which shall be appointed by, and the number and the terms of office of the members of which shall be determined by, a joint committee composed of the mayor and president of the city council, in each of such cities, and the chairman of the selectmen in each of such towns. In cities having both a city council and board of aldermen the president of the board of aldermen shall also be a member of such committee.  The director of accounts in the department of revenue shall cause an audit to be made annually of the accounts of all districts organized under the authority of this section, and for such purpose he and his duly accredited agents shall have access to all necessary papers, books and records. Said director shall apportion the cost of each audit among the several municipalities comprising the district on the basis of the taxable valuation of said municipalities as last established by the general court for state and county taxes, and submit the amounts of each apportionment to the state treasurer, who shall issue his warrant requiring the assessors of the cities and towns which comprise the district to assess a tax to the amount so apportioned, and such amount shall be collected and paid to the state treasurer as provided by section twenty of chapter fifty-nine.
MA Gen L ch 40 § 12c (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40 - Powers and Duties of Cities and Towns|Section 12c - Construction of Beach Facilities; Rules and Regulations

Section 12C. Said commission shall construct, equip and maintain at beaches under its control public bathhouses with dressing rooms, lockers and toilet facilities, as well as parking facilities, and other recreational facilities, may make reasonable rules and regulations for the care, maintenance, protection, policing and equal public use of said beaches, bathhouses, parking areas, and other recreational facilities, and may make reasonable charges for all facilities installed. At least one attested copy of such rules and regulations shall be posted at such beaches and any violation thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dollars for each offence.
MA Gen L ch 40 § 12d (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40 - Powers and Duties of Cities and Towns|Section 12d - Authority to Incur Indebtedness; Limitation

Section 12D. A city or town which is a member of a beach district may incur indebtedness within the limit of indebtedness prescribed in section ten of chapter forty-four for the purpose of acquiring beaches and paying an assessment for the construction of a bathhouse and appurtenances, including parking areas and other recreational facilities, in a beach district, and each district is authorized to make such assessments.