Massachusetts Senate Passes Six Municipal Bills in Brief Thursday Session

BOSTON — March 5, 2026 — The Massachusetts Senate passed a slate of local municipal bills Thursday and adjourned in memory of longtime Peabody educator Helen Riley Curtin. In a session lasting roughly 15 minutes, the chamber approved final passage of H3898 amending the Natick town charter and H4502 amending the Arlington town manager act, both sent to Governor Maura Healey for signature. Senators also engrossed H2275 authorizing a payment to Denise Matera Crandelli, widow of Revere School Committee member Anthony Matera, H4292 updating Hopkinton's library trustee appointment powers, and H4143 establishing property tax deferrals in Wellesley. Senator Ryan C. Fattman moved to suspend the rules on two additional House bills — H4962 creating a sick leave bank for Department of Correction employee Sally DeRogia, and H4763 validating Bourne's May 20, 2025, annual town election — advancing both to a third reading. Senator Joan B. Lovely led the adjournment motion honoring Curtin, a 40-year Carroll School teacher in Peabody who died December 19, 2025.