Is there a time limit in which the town clerk must post or publish by-law amendments after they have been approved and returned by the Attorney Generals Office?
No. The effective date of by-laws is governed by M.G.L. c. 40, § 32 (additionally M.G.L. c. 40A, § 5, for zoning by-law amendments). Once a by-law is approved by our Office, the by-law does not take effect until it has been posted and published in accordance with Section 32. Although state law does not expressly limit the time in which the town clerk must satisfy these requirements, postponing the posting or publishing of the by-law will affect the date on which the by-law may be implemented. Moreover, confusion can result if the posting and publishing is not accomplished prior to further amendment of the by-laws at the next town meeting. Every effort should be made to fulfill the posting and publishing requirements as soon as possible after approval by this Office. Q: In By-Law Submittal Form 7, Item 1 asks for “the date on which the proposed zoning by-law amendments were submitted to the Board of Selectmen.” Item 2 asks for “the date on which the Board of Selectmen submitted the prop
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