What are the rights of the 351 cities and towns?

In 1966, the Home Rule Act granted cities and towns the right to self-government and to adopt and amend their own rules of governing called charters. The Massachusetts legislature may not pass laws affecting only one city or town unless requested to do so by that community, or by the governor and a two-thirds vote in each house of the legislature.

There is no unincorporated land. This means all land is contained in one of the 351 cities and towns. Massachusetts General Laws still govern most town and city functions. Local bylaws cannot be in conflict with state laws.

How is a town governed?

The annual Town Meeting makes rules, adopts budgets, adopts bylaws and does a town's business. An open Town Meeting allows all registered voters in that town to attend, speak and vote. A representative Town Meeting allows only representatives elected by the voters to vote, although all registered voters may attend. The agenda is called a warrant, and the elected town moderator conducts the Town Meeting. An elected board of selectmen carries out the decisions of Town Meeting and sets some town policies, and they may employ town administrators to oversee the day-to-day business of the town. The town charter sets up the government of the town and may be changed.