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MassachusettsS 2859194th General Court (2025-2026)Senate

An Act amending the charter of the town of Sandwich

Sponsored By: Senate Committee on Bills in the Third Reading

Signed by Governor

Senate Bills in the Third ReadingHouse Steering, Policy and Scheduling

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 4 mixed.

Select Board powers, pay, and meetings

The charter updates titles to "select board" and confirms the board has all powers under state law. After each regular election, the board elects a chair and vice chair. The chair can call special meetings, and a majority can request one at a posted meeting. One board member may be designated to sign payroll and vendor warrants. Member pay is set in the annual budget, with necessary expenses reimbursed if approved. Compensation rules for town officers can be directed by town meeting. The charter also removes an outdated reference to the town clerk.

Local threshold raised from 10 to 50

The charter changes a number in section 3.7(b) from 10 to 50. It now takes 50, not 10, to meet that rule.

No school jobs for committee members

School committee members cannot be employed by Sandwich public schools while they serve. After leaving the committee, they cannot hold a paid, appointed school job for 12 months.

Stricter rules for Select Board members

Select board members must be qualified town voters and live in town while in office. They cannot hold any other town office or town job during their term, unless allowed by law. Former members face a 1‑year ban on paid, appointed town jobs or offices. Ex‑officio roles and service authorized by law or by‑laws are allowed.

Clearer budget info, modern meeting tools

Budget warrant items must show past actuals, current appropriations, next‑year requests, and finance committee recommendations. Each warrant article must include a short summary. The town may use any notice methods allowed by state law, and the direct‑mailing requirement is removed. The moderator uses reasonable efforts, including technology and electronic voting, to run meetings efficiently. The moderator may involve the select board, finance, and school committee chairs or their designees in the appointment process.

How board and school vacancies are filled

If a select board seat opens less than eight months before the next annual election, the board may call a special election or wait to fill it at the next annual election. School committee vacancies are filled by the select board and school committee under state law, and the appointee serves until the next annual election.

Library director hiring and contracts

Library trustees appoint the library director, except for positions covered by chapter 150E. Trustees may contract with the director. Any director contract must meet minimum standards set by the select board and town manager.

Rotation and terms for town committees

A board or committee cannot choose the same chair for more than two years in a row. Time spent finishing a prior chair’s unexpired term does not count. Committee members are either elected to staggered three‑year terms or appointed for a period set by the select board, unless state law or the charter says otherwise.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Senate Committee on Bills in the Third Reading

    Affiliation unavailable

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 concurred in 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 Senate Bills in the Third Reading

    12/11/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Chapter 64 of the Acts of 2026

    4/16/2026

    PDF

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