Section 61. Before a district is constituted and organized, a petition shall be presented to the town at a meeting, stating the limits of the proposed district, and requesting the town to raise taxes for the establishment and maintenance of a sufficient fire department for the reasonable protection of the inhabitants and property within said limits. If the town refuses or neglects so to do, the inhabitants of the proposed district may organize it and establish a fire department therein.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts
Chapter 48 - Fires, Fire Departments and Fire Districts
Section 1 - Appointment of Fire Wards; Penalty for Failure to Give Notice of Acceptance
Section 2 - Duties; Badge of Office
Section 3 - Demolition of Buildings
Section 4 - Powers of Fire Officials; Demolition of Buildings
Section 5 - Indemnification for Demolition
Section 6 - Powers and Duties; Commanding Assistance
Section 7 - Powers and Duties; Direction of Fire Fighting Operations; Penalty for Noncompliance
Section 8 - Appointment of Forest Wardens; Tenure
Section 9 - Duties; Fire Prevention
Section 10 - Powers; Appointment of Assistants; Commandeering of People and Property
Section 11 - Penalty for Refusal of Aid
Section 13 - Setting Open Air Fires; Conditions and Restrictions; Penalty for Violation
Section 16a - Handling of Slash
Section 17 - Disposition of Slash Cut Near Highways
Section 18 - Disposition of Slash Cut by Public Utility Companies
Section 19 - Enforcement of Regulations Prohibiting Accumulations of Slash
Section 20 - Penalty for Violating Provisions Prohibiting Accumulations of Slash
Section 21 - Spark Arresters; Requirements; Penalty for Noncompliance
Section 22 - Inspection of Machines Requiring Spark Arresters
Section 23 - Fire Observation Towers
Section 24 - Firefighting Expenditures
Section 25 - Duties; Extinguishment of Fires; Investigation of Causes; Posting of Warning Notices
Section 26 - Penalty for Destruction of Warning Notices
Section 27 - Liability for Trespass
Section 28 - State Fire Warden; Powers and Duties; Reports
Section 28b - Fire Patrols in Dry Areas; Authorization; Payment of Costs
Section 28c - Closing of Forest Lands During Dry Periods; Penalty for Trespassing
Section 36 - Promotion of Call Men to Permanent Force; Conditions
Section 36a - Promotion of Call Men to Regular Force; Conditions; Qualifications
Section 37 - Application of Sections Relating to Appointment of Call Men to Regular Force
Section 39 - Compensation of Persons Employed in Fire Department; Procedure for Acquisition
Section 40 - Certificates of Employment; Penalty for Refusing to File
Section 43 - Duties of Fire Chief; Role of Forest Warden
Section 44a - Private Fire Fighting Units; Contracts
Section 45 - Engineers; Appointments; Removals; Vacancies
Section 46 - Organization of Engineers
Section 47 - Engineers; Powers and Duties
Section 48 - Organization of Firefighters
Section 49 - Engineers; Duties; Liabilities; Privileges and Exemptions
Section 51 - Penalty for Failing to Maintain Proper Fire Fighting Equipment
Section 51a - Breathing Apparatus
Section 52 - Board of Engineers; Duties
Section 53 - Engineers; Promulgation of Rules and Regulations for Fire Prevention
Section 55 - Tenure of Members
Section 57 - Days Off; Vacations
Section 57a - Days Off for Working on Holidays
Section 57b - Fire Fighters; Attendance of Afl–cio–clc Convention
Section 57d - Fire Fighters; Working on Holidays; Additional Pay or Day Off
Section 57e - Fire Chiefs; Working on Holidays; Additional Pay
Section 57g - Compensation of Certain Heads of Fire and Police Departments
Section 57h - Union Officers; Leave to Perform Elected Responsibilities
Section 57i - Officers of Professional Organization; Leave Without Loss of Pay or Benefits
Section 58 - Fire Chiefs; Tenure; Removal; Conditions
Section 58a - Hours of Duty of Permanent Firemen; Application of Sections Relating to Hours of Duty
Section 58c - Overtime; Compensation
Section 58e - Fire Fighters; Residence
Section 59 - Platoon System; Submission to Electorate
Section 59b - Establishment of Reserve Force of Firemen; Conditions
Section 59d - Duties; Compensation
Section 59e - Appointments From Civil Service Eligible List
Section 60 - Establishment of Fire Departments in Districts; Duties of Officers
Section 61 - Establishment of District; Procedure
Section 62 - Organization; Notice of Meeting
Section 63 - Election of Clerk; Removals; Vacancies
Section 64 - Establishment of Fire Department
Section 65 - Selection of Engineers
Section 66 - District Meetings; Time; Manner of Giving Notice; Selection of Moderator
Section 67 - Voting Lists; Preparation and Correction
Section 68 - Application Sections Relating to the Deposit of Ballots
Section 69 - Taxation; Purposes
Section 71 - Prudential Committee; Selection; Duties; Treasurer; Bond; Duties
Section 72 - Temporary Treasurer; Bond
Section 73 - Collection of Taxes
Section 74 - Board of Engineers; Rules and Regulations; Appointment of Personnel
Section 75 - Engineers; Extent of Authority; Liability of Districts
Section 76 - Firemen; Privileges and Immunities; Compensation
Section 77 - Authentication of District Rules and Regulations
Section 77a - Holding Real Estate for Public Use; Lease of Land or Public Building
Section 78 - Recovery of Penalties; Prosecution; Disposition
Section 79 - Annexation and Exclusion
Section 80 - Continuance of Existing Districts
Section 82 - Additional Persons Eligible for Benefits
Section 83 - Allowance to Families of Deceased Firemen; Exception
Section 87 - Standardization of Fire Fighting Equipment
Section 88 - Fire Fighters; Performance of Police Duties