Citizens Petition Information

Citizen's Petition Blank Form

Citizen's Petition FAQ's

Citizens Petitions

The Town Meeting Warrant is developed by the Select Board and is generally composed of items, called Articles, brought forth by various Town departments and standing committees for consideration and action by the Town Meeting. Individual citizens can add their own agenda items to Town Meetings through the statutory device called a Citizens Petition.

Massachusetts General Laws, Ch. 39, section 10, provides, in part, as follows:

The Select Board shall insert in the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting all subjects the insertion of which shall be requested of them in writing by 10 or more registered voters of the town and in the warrant for every Special Town Meeting all subjects the insertion of which shall be requested of them in writing by 100 registered voters or by 10% of the total number of registered voters of the town whichever number is the lesser.

Please note the higher threshold number of signatories required (100 registered voters) for a Special Town Meeting. Potential petitioners for either a Special or Annual Town Meeting should confer with the Town Clerk's Office and Town Administration at the earliest opportunity to ensure a timely and effective effort. Petition forms should be obtained from and returned to the Town Clerk's office for certification before the Warrant is closed.