PRIA Logo™
MassachusettsS 2859194th General Court (2025-2026)Senate

An Act amending the charter of the town of Sandwich

Sponsored By: Danillo A. Sena (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Bills in Third ReadingHouse Steering, Policy and Scheduling

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.

Committee chairs rotate and terms set

No board or committee chair may serve more than two years in a row. Time spent finishing another chair’s term does not count. Members serve staggered three‑year terms or are appointed for a set time by the select board unless state law or the charter say otherwise.

Library director hiring and contracts

The board of library trustees appoints the library director, except for employees covered by chapter 150E. Trustees may sign a contract with the director. The contract must meet minimum standards set by the select board and town manager.

More budget and audit transparency

Budget warrant articles must show last year’s actuals, this year’s appropriations, next year’s request, and finance committee recommendations. The town posts detailed budget data online, and every warrant article includes a short summary. Audit summaries are posted online and kept at the town clerk’s office and the public library. The select board, school committee, and finance committee meet soon after year‑end to plan for the next two years. The town manager must give written notice of any department‑to‑department transfer within 10 working days and share post‑year data within a reasonable time. Town meeting can direct certain compensation, and a charter dollar limit rises from $1,000,000 to $1,500,000.

Town meeting can use electronic voting

The moderator uses reasonable tools, including electronic voting, to run town meeting more efficiently. The moderator may include the select board, finance committee, or school committee chair, or their designees, in application and appointment steps.

Charter cleanup and regular reviews

The charter replaces gendered titles with neutral terms like “select board” and “chair.” It updates public records law references and allows other lawful methods recognized by state law. It removes two outdated sections (4.5 and 9.6). Direct‑mail notice is no longer a listed option in that subsection. The select board must appoint a seven‑member charter review committee at least every 10 years, with a report due in six months unless another date is set.

New rules for Sandwich select board

The select board has all powers given by state law. Members must be qualified voters who live in Sandwich. After each town election, the board elects a chair and a vice chair. The chair may call special meetings, or a majority can request one at a posted meeting. Member pay is set in the annual budget, and expenses are repaid only if the board approves. One member may be named to sign payroll and vendor warrants. If a seat opens less than 8 months before the next annual election, the board may call a special election or wait for that election. A board member cannot hold any other town job during the term and must wait 1 year after the term to take a paid appointed town job.

School committee jobs and vacancies

If a school committee seat opens, the select board and school committee fill it under state law until the next annual town election. A sitting school committee member cannot hold a paid job with the Sandwich public schools. A former member must wait 12 months after leaving before taking a paid school job.

Standard recall rules for officials

Voters can seek recall for more reasons, including embezzlement, destroying records, nepotism, felony conviction, or failing to do the job. Ten voters may start a recall by filing an affidavit. You must return petitions within 20 days with signatures equal to 25% of qualified voters, with street and number for each signer. If certified, the board holds an election 60–90 days later, or it can line up with another town election within 100 days. A recall passes with a majority vote and at least 40% turnout. No recall may be filed in the first 6 months of a term, or within 6 months after a failed recall.

Town clerk now appointed

The elected town clerk office ends. The current elected clerk becomes the first appointed clerk for the rest of the elected term, unless they leave earlier. After that, the town manager appoints the clerk with select board approval.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Danillo A. Sena

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Dylan A. Fernandes

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor, Chapter 64 of the Acts of 2026

    4/16/2026

  2. Enacted and laid before the Governor

    4/8/2026Senate

  3. Enacted

    4/8/2026House

  4. Senate concurs on the House amendment

    4/6/2026Senate

  5. Rules suspended

    4/6/2026Senate

  6. Read third, amended and passed to be engrossed

    1/22/2026House

  7. Read second and ordered to a third reading

    12/18/2025House

  8. Rules suspended

    12/18/2025House

  9. Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting

    12/18/2025House

  10. Reported from the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling

    12/18/2025House

  11. Read; and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling

    12/15/2025House

  12. Passed to be engrossed

    12/11/2025Senate

  13. Substituted as a new draft for S24

    12/11/2025Senate

  14. Recommended new draft for S24

    12/11/2025Senate

  15. Reported from the committee on Bills in Third Reading

    12/11/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Chapter 64 of the Acts of 2026

    4/16/2026

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation