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H 4717

An Act relative to the annual town meeting for the town of Orange

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jo Comerford and 1 co-sponsor

Requires Orange's annual town meeting to be held on the second Monday in May, overriding prior schedules; takes effect on passage, affecting residents and town planning.

Signed by the Governor, Chapter 78 of the Acts of 2026
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Bill Summary · H 4717

Summary: H 4717 – An Act relative to the annual town meeting for the town of Orange

Overview

H 4717 is a local Massachusetts bill that would change the scheduling of Orange’s annual town meeting. The measure directs that, notwithstanding certain prior schedules, the Town of Orange must hold its annual town meeting on the second Monday in May. The act takes effect upon passage.

Key dates from the legislative process:
- Introduced: November 6, 2025
- Filed: October 30, 2025
- Referred to Committee: November 6, 2025
- Senate concurrence: November 10, 2025
- Hearing: November 17, 2025 (10:00 AM–5:00 PM; written testimony only)
- Local approval status: Reported as “Local Approval Received” in the bill materials

Purpose and intent

  • The primary purpose is to standardize and fix the date of Orange’s annual town meeting to the second Monday in May, ensuring a predictable annual schedule.
  • The bill explicitly overrides certain prior town meeting scheduling provisions, as indicated by the language referencing “Notwithstanding” specified articles and chapters.

Key provisions

  • Section 1: The annual town meeting for the Town of Orange shall be held on the second Monday in May, notwithstanding:
    • Article 12 of Annual Town Meeting (May 7, 2007)
    • Chapter 56 of the Acts of 2008
  • Section 2: The act takes effect upon its passage.
  • Related framework: The bill is identified as House Docket No. 5304 and pairs with a companion bill (House No. 4717) as a joint petition from sponsors Susannah M. Whipps and Joanne M. Comerford.

Affected entities

  • Town: Orange, Massachusetts
  • Residents and property taxpayers who participate in or are affected by the annual town meeting
  • Town governance: likely impacts scheduling, planning, and notification timelines for the annual meeting

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • This is a local, town-specific change requiring approval at the state level. The bill indicates “Local Approval Received,” suggesting municipal support.
  • Effective date: Immediate upon passage (no separate sunset or phasing-in period).
  • Public testimony: Hearing scheduled with a broad window for written testimony, indicating opportunity for municipal and resident input.

Fiscal and implementation considerations

  • The bill does not specify appropriations or fiscal impacts; as a local scheduling change, any cost implications would likely relate to municipal meeting logistics, scheduling, and notification efforts rather than state funding.
  • Administrative adjustments to calendars, notices, and possibly election-related deadlines may be needed for Orange.

Related and comparative notes

  • Related bill: HD 5304 (replaces) referenced in the materials, indicating a related or successor filing pathway.
  • The proposal represents a standardization effort common to municipalities seeking to align annual meeting timing.

If you’d like, I can also provide a brief comparison to how other towns schedule their annual town meetings or translate the date change into a sample calendar for Orange.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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