An Act establishing an amendment to Bridgewater Town Charter Article VIII, Section 8-2 Citizen Referendum Petition Timeframe

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dennis Gallagher

The bill requires a 5% voter petition within 30 days to suspend a measure and trigger immediate council reconsideration, with voter approval needed to take effect.

Senate concurred

Purpose and intent

The bill proposes a local amendment to Bridgewater Town Charter, Article VIII, Section 8-2, governing citizen referendum petitions.

The core aim is to establish a specific timeframe and procedural framework for submitting referendum petitions and triggering reconsideration and potential voter vote on measures.

Key provisions and changes

Referendum petition timeframe and thresholds:

If, within 30 days after the final passage of a measure, a petition is filed with the Town Clerk, signed by voters equal in number to at least 5 percent of the total number of Bridgewater voters, the measure is suspended from taking effect.

Reconsideration process:

Upon receipt of such a petition, the Town Council must immediately reconsider the measure (or the relevant part).
If the measure is not entirely rescinded, the Town Council must submit it to a vote of the voters.

Voting on the reconsidered measure:

The measure (or the relevant part) must be placed on either the next regular town election or a specially called election, at the Town Council’s discretion.
The measure shall become null and void unless a majority of voters voting on the measure at that election vote in its favor.

Effective date and conditions:

The amendment’s effectiveness is contingent on approval by three entities: the Town Council, the State Legislature, and the voters of Bridgewater.
The language notes that this is an amendment to the Bridgewater Town Charter and requires local approval processes in addition to state approval.

Who/what is affected

Primary impact: Town of Bridgewater and its residents who participate in local referenda.

Affected actions: Final passage of measures by the Bridgewater Town Council, and the subsequent ability of voters to petition to suspend and referendum those measures.

Governing bodies involved: Bridgewater Town Council, Bridgewater voters, and the Massachusetts State Legislature (as part of approving the charter amendment).

Procedural and timeline aspects

Petition window: 30 days after final passage of a measure.

Petition signature threshold: 5 percent of the total number of Bridgewater voters.

Immediate suspension: The measure is suspended upon valid petition filing.

Reconsideration and referendum timeline: Must be reconsidered promptly by the Town Council and submitted to a vote at the next regular election or a specially called election.

Outcome condition: The measure only takes effect if a majority of voters in the election vote in favor.

Multistage approval: The amendment requires approval by the Town Council, the Massachusetts Legislature, and Bridgewater voters to become effective.

Status and action history

Action: Senate concurred (2026-07-01).

Prior action: Referred to the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government (2026-06-29).

Notes:
- The bill is a local act specific to Bridgewater and would modify the town charter to codify a 5% petition threshold and 30-day window for referendum petitions, establishing a mandatory reconsideration and voter vote process for measures blocked by such petitions.