S 3026

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 3630  FILED ON: 1/29/2026
  SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3026
  The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  _________________
  PRESENTED BY:
  Joanne M. Comerford and Susannah M. Whipps
  _________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
   Court assembled:
   The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
  An Act providing equal opportunity for residents to vote on establishment of the Great River
  Regional School District.
  _______________
  PETITION OF:
NAME:  DISTRICT/ADDRESS:
Joanne M. Comerford  Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester
Susannah M. Whipps  2nd Franklin  2/2/2026
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  SENATE DOCKET, NO. 3630  FILED ON: 1/29/2026
  SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3026
By Ms. Comerford and Ms.Whipps of Athol, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No.
3026) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Joanne M. Comerford and Susannah M. Whipps for
legislation to provide equal opportunity for residents to vote on establishment of the Great River
Regional School District. Municipalities and Regional Government.
  The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  _______________
  In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
  (2025-2026)
  _______________
An Act providing equal opportunity for residents to vote on establishment of the Great River
Regional School District.
  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1SECTION 1. Notwithstanding section 15 of chapter 71 of the General Laws or any other
2 general or special law to the contrary, the towns of Bernardston, Gill, Leyden, Northfield,
3 Warwick and Montague shall have placed on the ballot at the first annual or special town
4 election following the effective date of this act a question to the voters of accepting the creation
5 of a new regional school district. The question on the printed ballots to be used at such election
6 shall be in substantially the following form:
7“Shall the town accept the provisions of sections 16 to 16I, inclusive, of chapter 71 of the
8 General Laws providing for the establishment of a regional school district, consisting of the
9 towns of Bernardston, Gill, Leyden, Northfield, Warwick and Montague, and for construction,
10 maintenance and operation of a regional school by said district in accordance with the provisions
11 of a proposed agreement filed with the select board?”
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12If a majority of the voters present and voting on said question in each of the towns shall
13 vote in the affirmative the proposed regional school district shall be deemed to be established
14 forthwith, but not otherwise.
15SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
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