Massachusetts SD 3630: An Act providing equal opportunity for residents to vote on establishment of the Great River Regional School District

Bill Text

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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: 
 
1 SECTION 1. Notwithstanding section 15 of chapter 71 of the General Laws or any other 
2general or special law to the contrary, the towns of Bernardston, Gill, Leyden, Northfield, 
3Warwick and Montague shall have placed on the ballot at the first annual or special town 
4election following the effective date of this act a question to the voters of accepting the creation 
5of a new regional school district. The question on the printed ballots to be used at such election 
6shall be in substantially the following form: 
7 “Shall the town accept the provisions of sections 16 to 16I, inclusive, of chapter 71 of the 
8General Laws providing for the establishment of a regional school district, consisting of the 
9towns of Bernardston, Gill, Leyden, Northfield, Warwick and Montague, and for construction, 
10maintenance and operation of a regional school by said district in accordance with the provisions 
11of a proposed agreement filed with the select board?” 

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12 If a majority of the voters present and voting on said question in each of the towns shall 
13vote in the affirmative the proposed regional school district shall be deemed to be established 
14forthwith, but not otherwise. 
15 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.