Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 43b - Home Rule Procedures
Section 4 - Order of Governing Body for Submission of Question of Adoption or Revision of Charter; Nomination and Election of Charter Commission

Section 4. Within thirty days of receipt of certification by the board of registrars of voters that a petition contains sufficient valid signatures, the city council or board of selectmen shall by order provide for submitting the question of adopting or revising a charter to the voters of the city or town, and for the election of a charter commission, at the first regular city election, or at the first annual or biennial town meeting for the election of town officers, held on or after the sixtieth day following the adoption of the order. Said order shall also provide for the nomination of charter commission members, who shall be nominated in accordance with this chapter. Said order shall not require the concurrence of the mayor in a city and shall not be subject to referendum. If an order of the city council or board of selectmen under this section has not been adopted within the thirty days specified above, the question of adopting or revising a charter shall be submitted to the voters and charter commission members shall be elected at the first regular city election, or at the first annual or biennial town meeting for the election of town officers, held on or after the ninetieth day after receipt by the city council or board of selectmen of certification provided for in the first sentence of this section.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part I - Administration of the Government

Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts

Chapter 43b - Home Rule Procedures

Section 1 - Short Title; Definitions

Section 2 - Adoption, Revision or Amendment of Existing Charter

Section 3 - Petition for Adoption and Revision of Charter; Filing; Objections

Section 4 - Order of Governing Body for Submission of Question of Adoption or Revision of Charter; Nomination and Election of Charter Commission

Section 5 - Charter Commission; Procedure for Nomination and Election of Members

Section 6 - Charter Commission; Number of Members; Election

Section 7 - Charter Commission; Organization; Compensation and Expenses of Members

Section 8 - Charter Commission; Rules and Regulations; Personnel; Funds; Receipts and Expenditures; Office Space and Facilities; Taxation and Borrowing

Section 9 - Hearings Before Charter Commission; Reports of Commission

Section 10 - Amendments to Charter Previously Adopted or Revised Under This Chapter; Procedure

Section 11 - Proposed Charter or Charter Revision; Submission to Voters; Ballot; Copies of Final Report or Proposed Amendment; Adoption of Alternative or Conflicting Provisions

Section 12 - Charter and Charter Amendments and Revisions; Deposit of Certificates; Judicial Notice; Reprints for Distribution

Section 12a - Resubmission of Charter Which Failed of Approval

Section 13 - Exercise of Powers and Functions by Municipalities

Section 14 - Enforcement of This Chapter; Declaratory Relief; Judicial Review

Section 15 - Petitions for Adoption or Revision of Charter or Suggestion of Charter Amendment; Form

Section 16 - Paper or Document Required to Be Filed or Submitted; Presumptions

Section 17 - Election Laws; Applicable and Conflicting Provisions

Section 18 - Method of Electing Officers

Section 19 - Special Laws Enacted After Nov. 8, 1966

Section 20 - Provisions of Charter or Amendment Deemed Consistent With Certain Other Laws