Opinion of the Justices to the Senate

To the Honorable the Senate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

The Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court respectfully submit this reply to the question set forth in an order adopted by the Senate on February 28, 1974, and transmitted to us on March 6, 1974. The order recites (1) that there is pending before the Senate a bill entitled, “An Act relative to the filing of petitions for legislation by towns with a town council form of government” (House No. 845), a copy of which is transmitted with the order; (2) that the bill would require petitions for legislation from towns with a town…