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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5222 FILED ON: 6/26/2024
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4857
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Edward R. Philips and Paul R. Feeney
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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 authorizing the town of Sharon to adopt alternative methods for notice of public
hearings.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Edward R. Philips8th Norfolk6/18/2024 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5222 FILED ON: 6/26/2024
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4857
By Representative Philips of Sharon and Senator Feeney, a joint petition (accompanied by bill,
House, No. 4857) of Edward R. Philips (by vote of the town) that the town of Sharon be
authorized to adopt alternative methods for notice of public hearings in said town.
Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act authorizing the town of Sharon to adopt alternative methods for notice of public
hearings.
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 11 of chapter 40A of the General Laws or any
2other general or special law to the contrary, the Town of Sharon may provide alternative means
3of publishing legal notices for public hearings that are required by law.
4 SECTION 2. The Town may authorize all notices of public hearings to be published: (i)
5in a local newspaper, either in electronic or paper format; or (ii) on the bulletin board outside of
6the town clerk's office; and (iii) on the town’s website. For the purposes of this act, the term
7“website” shall mean the official website of the Town of Sharon that is operated and maintained
8by the town’s government.
9 SECTION 3. If any provision or section of this act is invalidated, the remainder shall
10survive in full force and effect. 2 of 2
11 SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon its passage.