Massachusetts House enacts Westwood liquor bill, passes string of local charter measures

BOSTON -- January 22, 2026, The Massachusetts House passed a dozen local and special-legislation measures unanimously at its January 22 informal session. Every item, including final enactment of a Westwood off-premises liquor licensing bill (House 4814), charter amendments for Provincetown (House 4176) and Avon (House 4556), and Boston Police maximum-age waivers for officers Pierre Charles Darius and Kenny Gatteau, cleared by voice vote without recorded opposition. Representative Paul McMurtry of Dedham shepherded procedural suspensions for the bulk of the calendar, while Representative Thomas P. Walsh of Peabody introduced a last-minute amendment to the Sandwich town charter bill (Senate 2859), which was adopted and the bill passed to be engrossed as amended. The session also received a gubernatorial message from Gov. Maura Healey recommending legislation to manage federal tax changes in Massachusetts, filed as House 4975 and referred to the Committee on Revenue. The House paused for a silent tribute, led by Representative Richard M. Haggerty of Woburn, to Joseph Crowley Jr. a 38-year Woburn School Committee veteran who died December 9, 2025, at 86.