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Laws of the Commonwealth Accepted by the Town

Subject / Reference / Date / Where Located 

  1. Adoption of code concerning truant children Acts, 1873 - ch. 262 April 14, 1879 Bk. 1 - Pg. 49 . Art. 12
  2. Ballots, printing and distributing Acts, 1890 - ch. 386 February 14, 1891 Bk. 1 - Pg. 490 . Art. 2
  3. Assessors of taxes, election and term Public Statutes ch. 27, sec. 65;amended by Acts, 1883 ch. 203 and amended by three . other acts March 28, 1892 (took effect 1893) Bk. 1 - Pg. 538 . Art. 23
  4. Plumbing and drainage of buildings, regulations for Acts, 1893 rules and ch. 477 March 26, 1894 Bk. 2 - Pg. 13 . Art. 13
  5. Eight-hour day for certain town employees Revised Laws ch. 106, sec. 20 April 12, 1902 Bk. 2 - Pg. 257 . Art. 14
  6. Public playgrounds, provide and maintain Acts, 1908 ch. 513 April 5, 1909 Bk. 2 - Pg. 417 . Art. 13
  7. Relating to watering of public streets Revised Laws, ch. 25, sec. 22 and amendments April 4, 1910 Bk. 2 - Pg. 444 . Art. 11
  8. Compensation for injuries sustained by certain public employees Acts, 1913 ch. 807 March 2, 1914 Bk. 2 - Pg. 583 . Art. 6
  9. Promotion of call men in fire department Acts, 1913 ch. 487 March 2, 1914 Bk. 2 - Pg. 584 . Art. 7
  10. Eight-hour day for town employees Acts, 1909 ch. 514, sec. 42 as affected by Acts, 1911 ch. 494 March 2, 1914 Bk. 2 - Pg. 584 . Art. 8
  11. Licensing of motor vehicles carrying passengers for hire Acts, 1916 ch. 293 September 6, 1919 Bk. 3 - Pg. 209 . Art. 2
  12. Regulating and controlling certain sports and games on Sunday Acts, 1920 ch. 240 May 20, 1920 Bk. 3 - Pg. 241 . Art. 2
  13. Boxing Laws G.L., ch. 147 secs. 32-47 April 26, 1924 Bk. 3 - Pg. 391 . Art. 10
  14. Sunday Sports G.L., ch. 136 secs. 21-25 March 4, 1929 Bk. 4 - Pg. 62
  15. Town Moderator, election and duties of G.L., ch. 39 sec. 14 March, 1931 Bk. 4 - Pg. 149. Art. 28
  16. Paying wages and salaries to town militia Acts & Resolves 1930, ch. 157 March 14, 1931 Bk. 4 -Pg. 156 . Art. 17
  17. Taking of fur-bearing mammals by use of traps-suspended G.L., ch. 131 sec. 105C March, 1935 Bk. 4 - Pg. 332 . Art. 20
  18. Town accountant, appointment, and office of auditor abolished G.L., ch. 41 sec. 55 March 16, 1935 Bk. 4 - Pg. 338 . Art. 18
  19. An act establishing in the Town of Adams representative town government by limited town meetings Acts, 1935 ch. 235 March 2, 1936 Bk. 4- Pg. 363
  20. Cemetery commission to manage cemeteries G.L., ch. 114 secs. 22-25; as amended by Acts, Art. 1 . 1934, June 29, 1937 Bk. 4 - Pg. 453 . ch. 85
  21. Sexton, appointment G.L., ch. 41 sec. 4A March 26, 1938 Bk. 5 - Pg. 38 . Art. 32
  22. Chairman of board of cemetery commissioners, to be town meeting member at large Acts, 1939 ch. 202 March 4, 1940 Bk. 5 - Pg. 169
  23. Nomination of candidates for town officers by town caucus G.L., ch. 53 sec. 121 March 30, 1940 Bk. 5 - Pg. 192 . Art. 41
  24. Police department, members excused from duty without loss of pay G.L., ch. 147 secs. 16B, 17 March 22, 1941 Bk. 5 - Pg. 306 . Art. 26
  25. Janitors of schools, inclusion within classified civil service G.L., ch. 31 sec. 4 March 22, 1941 Bk. 5 - Pg. 306 . Art. 27
  26. Permitting certain places of business to keep open on Sunday G.L., ch. 136 secs. 7,8 as amended March 22, 1941 Bk. 5 - Pg. 306 . Art. 31
  27. Reserve police force, establishment and appointments thereto subject to civil service G.L., ch. 147 secs. 13A, 13C October 14, 1941 Bk. 5 Pg. 327 Art. 15
  28. An act authorizing the Town of Adams to reduce the number of town meeting members required for doing business in said town Acts, 1941 ch. 560 March 2, 1942 Bk. 5 Pg. 353 .
  29. Town constables, appointment by board of selectmen G.L., ch. 41 March, 1946 Bk. 6 Pg. 44 Art. 38
  30. Board of park commissioners, election G.L., ch. 45 sec. 14 March 17, 1947 Bk. 6 Pg. 145 Art. 46
  31. Increase pension allowances certain retired town employees Acts, 1947 ch. 615 March 15, 1948 Bk. 6 Pg. 230 Art. 31
  32. Increase pension or retirement allowances former town employees Acts, 1948 ch. 588 March 7, 1949 Bk. 6 Pg. 296
  33. Town wire inspector, salary and appointment by board of selectmen Acts, 1949 ch. 529 March 20, 1950 Bk. 6 Pg. 405 Art. 39
  34. Provide permanent tenure for I. Audrey Louison, the present town clerk G.L., ch. 41 sec. 19B March 5, 1951 Bk. 6 Pg. 498
  35. Providing certain increases in retirement pensions Acts, 1951 ch. 781 March 17, 1952 Bk. 6 Pg. 587 Art. 35
  36. Police force - five-day week Acts, 1951 ch. 346 March 17, 1952 Bk. 6 Pg. 589 Art. 46
  37. Relating to assessment for construction, maintenance and repair of domestic sewers installed in streets not presently containing such sewers G.L., ch. 83 March 17, 1952 Bk. 6 Pg. 589 Art. 48
  38. Personnel board, appointment and classification and pay plan for certain positions Acts, 1948 ch. 351 March 15, 1954 Bk. 7 Pg. 152 Art. 39
  39. Civil service G.L., ch. 31 sec. 49A March 7, 1955 Bk. 7 Pg. 279
  40. Contribute to payment of premiums on group life insurance policies for certain town employees G.L., ch. 40 sec. 5, cl. 44 March 21, 1955 Bk. 7 Pg. 301 Art. 39
  41. Authorizing town to provide insurance for certain persons in service of town and their dependents G.L., ch. 32B March 5, 1956 Bk. 7 Pg. 398
  42. Provide unlimited tenure for Joseph T. Satko, present town accountant Acts, 1937 ch. 5 secs. 1-2 March 4, 1957 Bk. 8 Pg. 38
  43. Snow removal from private ways G.L., ch. 40 sec. 6C March 4, 1957 Bk. 8 Pg. 39
  44. Bicycle registration and operation G.L., ch. 85 sec. 11A March 18, 1957 Bk. 8 Pg. 99 . Art. 67
  45. Stabilization fund established G.L., ch. 40 sec. 5B March 17, 1958 Bk. 8 Pg. 223 . Art. 17
  46. Planning Board established G.L., ch. 41 sec. 81A March 17, 1958 Bk. 8 Pg. 231 Art. 51
  47. Providing for establishment of a regional school district by the City of North Adams and the Towns of Adams, Williamstown, Clarksburg, Florida, Savoy, Monroe, Heath and Charlemont Act of Gen. Court, 1958 November 3, 1959 Bk. 8 Pg. 479
  48. Dancing school licenses Acts, 1939 Ch. 253; G.L., ch. 140, sec. 185H November 14, 1960 Bk. 9 Pg. 278 Art. 11
  49. Purchasing uniforms for police department G.L., ch. 40 sec. 6B March 20, 1961 Bk. 9 Pg. 363 Art. 29
  50. Inspector of gas piping and gas appliances, appointment and term G.L., ch. 143 sec. 30 enacted by legislature in 1960 March 20, 1961 Bk. 9 Pg. 383 Art. 2
  51. Urban renewal program needed G.L., ch. 12K sec. 26XX March, 1962 Bk. 10 Pg. 29 Art. 38
  52. Redevelopment authority needed G.L., ch. 121 sec. 26QQ March, 1962 Bk. 10 Pg. 29 Art. 39
  53. Subdivision control laws G.L., ch. 41 secs. 81K-81GG March, 1963 Bk. 10 Pg. 238 Art. 33
  54. Permit purchase of certain items of footwear and clothing Acts, 1964,ch. 90 amending G.L., ch, 40 March 22, 1965 Bk. 11 Pg. 109 Art. 82
  55. Establishment of regional school district together with Town of Cheshire G.L., ch. 71 secs. 16-16I March 7, 1966 Bk. 11 Pg. 178
  56. Membership in Berkshire County Planning District G.L., ch. 40B March 28, 1966 Bk. 11 Pg. 231 Art. 54
  57. Chief of police, compensation for holiday service Acts, 1965 ch. 786 March 28, 1966 Bk. 11 Pg. 232 Art. 57
  58. Authority of board of selectmen to issue winter seasonal liquor licenses G.L., ch. 138 sec. 17 March 28, 1966 Bk. 11 Pg. 233 Art. 61
  59. Council on Aging G.L., ch. 40 sec. 8B July 25, 1966 Bk. 11 Pg. 256 Art. 2
  60. Common sewers, rules and regulations for use G.L., ch. 83 sec. 10 October 31, 1967 Bk. 11 Pg. 434 Art. 5
  61. Housing authority established G.L., ch. 121 sec. 26K as amended March 25, 1968 Bk. 12 Pg. 114 Art. 45
  62. Industrial development financing authority established Acts, 1967 ch. 772 March 25, 1968 Bk. 12 Pg. 115 Art. 46
  63. Permit board of selectmen to establish certain traffic regulations relative to clearing of streets during snow plowing operations G.L., ch. 40 sec. 22D December 8, 1969 Bk. 12 Pg. 123 Art. 1
  64. Traffic regulations G.L., ch. 90 sec. 18A May 27, 1970 Bk. 12 Pg. 111 . Art. 4
  65. Parking regulations G.L., ch. 90 sec. 20C June 4, 1973 Bk. 13 Pg. 512 . Art. 8
  66. Transfer of railroad bridge at Grove Street to Commonwealth Acts 1971 ch. 634 June 4, 1973 Bk. 13 Pg. 512 Art. 7
  67. Advanced vacation pay G.L., ch. 44 sec. 65 June 10, 1974 Bk. 14 Pg. 141 Art. 2
  68. Insurance G.L., ch. 32B sec. 7A January 3, 1978 Bk. 15 Pg. 104 . Art. 4
  69. Insurance G.L., ch. 32B sec. 9E January 3, 1978 Bk. 15 Pg. 105 . Art. 5
  70. Educational incentive, police department G.L., ch. 41 sec. 108L September 10, 1979 Bk. 15 Pg. 407 Art. 48
  71. Selectmen - Administrator form of government G.L., ch. 31 Acts, 1983 May 2, 1983 Bk. 16 Pg. 94 Q. 1
  72. Establishment of department of public works G.L., ch. 34 Acts, 1983 May 2, 1983 Bk. 16 Pg. 94 Q. 2
  73. To advertise Adams G.L., ch. 40 sec. 6A September 10, 1984 Bk. 16 Pg. 275 . Art. 4
  74. Equal education grant, professional development grant, minimum teacher salaries G.L., ch. 188 Acts, 1985 secs. 12, 13, 16 October 7, 1985 Bk. 16 Pg. 392 Art.1, 2, & 3
  75. Property tax reduction (low income/elderly) G.L., ch. 59 sec. 5 cl. 17C May 27, 1986 Bk. 16 Pg. 474 Art. 49
  76. Equal education opportunity grant G.L., ch. 188 Acts, 1985 May 27, 1986 Bk. 16 Pg. 474 Art. 46
  77. Improving public schools of the commonwealth G.L., ch. 188 sec. 12 Acts, 1985 May 26, 1987 Bk. 16 Pg. 658 Art. 45
  78. Establishment of town scholarship fund G.L., ch. 194 Acts, 1986 May 26, 1987 Bk. 16 Pg. 659 Art. 46
  79. Regulating the payment of certain taxes in certain districts G.L., ch. 59 sec. 57A Acts, 1985 May 26, 1987 Bk. 16 Pg. 659 Art. 47
  80. Granting or renewing certain licenses and and permits G.L., ch. 40 sec. 57 as amended by ch. 640, Acts, 1985 May 26, 1987 Bk. 16 Pg. 659 Art. 48
  81. Improving public schools of the commonwealth G.L., ch. 188 sec. 12 Acts, 1985 May 31, 1988 Bk. 17 Pg. 59 Art. 40
  82. Payment of property taxes G.L., ch. 59 sec. 57B as amended by ch. 402, Acts, 1987 May 31, 1988 Bk. 17 Pg. 60 Art. 41
  83. Enhancing the teaching profession and recognizing educational achievement G.L., ch. 71 sec. 40 as amended by sec. 10 of ch. 727, Acts, 1987 October 3, 1988 Bk. 17 Pg. 107 Art. 8
  84. Improving public schools of the commonwealth G.L., ch. 188 sec. 12 Acts, 1985 May 30, 1989 Bk. 17 Pg. 181 Art. 47
  85. Payment of public employees by direct bank credit G.L., ch. 41 sec. 41B as amended May 30, 1989 Bk. 17 Pg. 181 Art. 48
  86. Workmen's compensation of certain elected and appointed officials G.L., ch. 152 sec. 69 as amended May 30, 1989 Bk. 17 Pg. 181 Art. 50
  87. Establishing a stabilization fund by adding regional school districts G.L., ch. 225 ch. 71, sec. 16G 1/2 to G.L. Acts, 1988 May 30, 1989 Bk. 17 Pg. 181 Art. 51
  88. Changes in assessment dates for new growth G.L., ch. 653 sec. 40, Acts 1989 Feb. 20, 1990 Bk. 17 Pg. 232 . Art. 2
  89. Compensation of certain local Retirement System Officials G.L., ch. 32 sec. 20(4)(d 1/2)& (h) May 29, 1990 Bk. 17 Pg. 309 Art. 19
  90. Elderly Tax Exemptions G.L., ch. 59 sec. 5 (17C1/2) May 29, 1990 Bk. 17 Pg. 309 . Art. 20
  91. Retirement system calculation G.L., ch 697, sec. 64 Acts 1987 May 28, 1991 Bk. 17 Pg. 442 . Art. 20
  92. Retirement, service after age 70 G.L., ch 697, sec. 107 Acts 1987 May 28, 1991 Bk. 17 Pg. 442 . Art. 21
  93. Enhanced 911 emergency telephone service G.L., ch. 291 Acts 1990 May 28, 1991 Bk. 17 Pg. 443 . Art. 22
  94. Added credible service after age 70 G.L., ch. 32, sec. 90G 3/4 as amended by sec. 3 of ch. 254 Acts 1990 May 26, 1992 Bk. 17 Pg. 531 . Art. 20
  95. Noncriminal disposition of bylaw violations G.L. ch. 40, sec. 21D May 26, 1992 Bk. 17 Pg. 531 . Art. 21
  96. Town officers to establish fees G.L. ch. 40, sec. 22F May 26, 1992 Bk. 17 Pg. 532 . Art. 22
  97. Benefits to part-time elected officials G.L. ch. 58, Acts, 1993 September 2, 1992 Bk. 17 Pg. 562 Art. 4
  98. Elderly property tax exemption G.L. ch. 59, section 5 (41C) May 30, 1995 Bk. 18 Pg. 257 . Art. 23
  99. Bussing of school age children Chapter 767, Acts of 1987 May 30, 1995 Bk. 18 Pg. 257 . Art. 24
  100. Retirement Board Compensation G.L., ch. 32, Section 20, subsection 6 June 10, 1996 Bk. 18 Pg. 357 Art. 22
  101. Establishment of Various Revolving Funds G.L., ch. 44, Section 53E 1/2 May 27, 1997 Bk. 18 Pg. 474 Art. 20
  102. Employee disability, dental, vision care without mandatory contributions G.L., ch. 32B, Section 15, paragraph (a) as amended by the Acts of 1996 May 27, 1997 Bk. 18 Pg. 478 Art. 28
  103. Creditable retirement service for military duty G.L., ch. 32, Section 4, subdivision 1, paragraph h, as amended by the Acts of 1996 May 26, 1998 Bk. 19 Pg. 54 Art. 24
  104. Annual cost of living adjustments for retirees G.L., ch. 32, Section 103, as amended by the Acts of 1997 May 26, 1998 Bk. 19 Pg. 54 Art. 25