Marino v. Town Council of Southbridge

In 1973, the inhabitants of the town of South-bridge, acting conformably with art. 89 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth (the Home Rule Amendment) and G. L. c. 43B, as inserted by St. 1966, c. 734, § 1, adopted the Southbridge Home Rule Charter. Under this charter, Southbridge, in lieu of a town meeting form of government, vested legislative functions in a town council and executive functions primarily in a town manager.

The plaintiffs are voters, taxpayers and property owners in Southbridge who desire a restoration of the town meeting form of government. Toward this…