Senate passes municipal governance bills, refers sick-leave petition and adjourns in memory of Michael F. Flaherty Sr.

The Massachusetts Senate approved several bills on third readings and referred a petition during a short session that concluded with a memorial for the late Michael F. Flaherty Sr.

Bills and outcomes: the Senate passed a measure authorizing the Town of Dartmouth Fire District No. 1 Prudential Committee to appoint a treasurer (transcript lists the bill as "H 3 9 5 2"); the chamber validated the proceedings of the Town of Millbury annual town meeting (Senate No. 2678) by the constitutionally required two-thirds vote; House Bill 4030 (establishing a select-board town administrative form of government for the Town of Rochester) was read a third time and passed; and House Bill 4381 (regulating the term of the town moderator in Norwood) was read a third time and passed.

Referral: The Senate accepted a House petition (filed by Representative Bradley H. J. Jones on behalf of Linda Stanton, per the transcript) to establish a sick-leave bank for an employee (transcript references 'Monty Jean Goldstein') and, under suspension of Joint Rule 12, referred the petition to the Committee on Public Service.

Procedure: Most floor actions were completed by voice vote; the transcript records the presiding officer announcing "the ayes have it" for multiple measures but does not provide recorded roll-call tallies. The measures taken on third reading change or validate local governance arrangements or personnel processes but do not, in themselves, create systemwide statutes beyond the specific municipal effect described in each bill.

Memorial: The Senate moved and approved an adjournment in memory of the late Michael F. Flaherty Sr., reciting his service as a retired associate justice of the Boston Municipal Court and former state representative from South Boston, and observed a moment of silence.