Section 12. If the selectmen unreasonably refuse to call a town meeting, a justice of the peace, upon written application of one hundred registered voters or of ten per cent of the total number of registered voters of the town, may call a meeting by a warrant under his hand, stating the subjects to be acted upon, directed to the constables of the town if there are any, otherwise to any of the persons applying therefor, directing them to summon the inhabitants qualified to vote in town affairs to assemble at the time and place and for the purposes expressed in the warrant. In a town having a form of representative town meeting government a special town meeting called under this section shall be conducted as a representative town meeting, and notice thereof shall be given to the town meeting members as provided by law.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts
Chapter 39 - Municipal Government
Section 1 - Allocation of Powers
Section 2 - Presiding Officer of Board of Aldermen; Voting Rights
Section 3 - Elections of City Officers by Municipal Bodies; Manner of Voting
Section 4 - Mayor to Sign Every Ordinance; Veto Power; Effect
Section 5 - Performance of Mayoralty Duties During Vacancy
Section 6 - Election Warrants; Issuance; Acceptance of Provisions of Section
Section 6a - Municipal Salaries; Increases and Decreases; Procedure
Section 7 - Holding Other Offices
Section 8 - Compatibility of Offices
Section 8a - Removal of Officers; Procedure; Exception
Section 9 - Annual Meeting; Other Meetings; Election of Officers; Times; Adjournment; Holidays
Section 10 - Warrant; Issuance; Contents
Section 11 - Persons Authorized to Call Meetings Upon Resignation of Selectmen
Section 12 - Persons Authorized to Call Meetings Upon Refusal of Selectmen
Section 13 - Quorum; Application of Section
Section 14 - Moderators; Election; Tenure; Vacancies; Assistant Moderators
Section 15 - Moderators; Powers and Duties
Section 16 - Appropriation, Advisory or Finance Committees; Appointment; Tenure; Powers and Duties
Section 17 - Powers of Moderator; Preservation of Order
Section 18 - Duties of Moderators; Reception of Votes