Massachusetts Senate Engrosses Tewksbury Charter Bill, Validates Two Municipal Elections

BOSTON — March 16, 2026 — The Massachusetts Senate passed a clutch of local and municipal bills in a brief March 16 session, sending several measures to the Governor. Senate Bill 1446, amending the town of Tewksbury's charter to loosen the residency requirement for its town manager, passed to be engrossed by unanimous voice vote, as did a House bill directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for applicant Louis Cabral. Three bills — enhancing powers of the Kittaticut Fire District's Board of Water Commissioners, authorizing the district to fund a local historical society, and regulating compensation of the Salem licensing board — passed to final enactment and were ordered laid before Governor Maura Healey. A bill validating the results of Bourne's May 20, 2025, annual election cleared the chamber 2 to 0 on a required two-thirds standing vote. Senator Nick Collins moved to adjourn in memory of Ralph Edward Pascarelli, 76, of South Boston, a 32-year Amtrak signal maintainer and Army veteran, who died March 6, 2026.