MASSACHUSETTS SUBCOUNTY GENERAL PURPOSE GOVERNMENTS (351) Massachusetts ranks 33rd among the states in number of local governments, with 861 as of The subcounty general purpose governments October 2007. in Massachusetts consist of municipal (city) governments and town governments. These COUNTY GOVERNMENTS (5) two types of governments are distinguished primarily by the historical circumstances Between 1997 and 2000, the state abolished surrounding their incorporation. In all but six of its counties. Four of these, Bristol, Massachusetts, city and town governments Dukes, Norfolk, and Plymouth counties, are have similar powers and perform similar counted as county governments in census functions. statistics. The area and the governing body of Nantucket County are identical with those of Municipal Governments (45) the town of Nantucket; the town selectmen serve as county commissioners. Nantucket is The term “municipality,” as defined for census counted as a town government, rather than as statistics on governments, applies only to cities a county government. Suffolk County in Massachusetts. Towns, which are treated encompasses an area larger than the city of as municipalities in Massachusetts Boston but is substantially consolidated with statutes, are counted for census purposes as that city for governmental purposes. The towns rather than municipal governments (see combined city and county government is below). Cities are established by special acts of counted as a municipal government, rather the general court. The minimum population than as a county government. 1 requirement for incorporation as a city is 12,000. Cities exist outside the area of any In counties with county government, the town and, in addition to usual city functions, governing body is called the board of county have responsibility for services handled in commissioners. County governments in other parts of the state by town governments. Massachusetts perform limited functions. Cities may adopt home-rule charters or one of Some of the most important functions include several standard charters. provision of jails and other correctional institutions, recording of deeds, and provision Town or Township Governments (306) of courthouses. The counties may also maintain agricultural schools (see “Public Although not differing in legally authorized School Systems,” below) and hospitals. powers from cities, units in Massachusetts Counties may choose a home-rule charter. designated as “towns” are counted in census statistics as a separate type of government, In the abolished counties, the county functions including those towns that have a were turned over to the state. The county “representative town meeting” form of areas continue to serve as political districts for government. Massachusetts towns may adopt election purposes. The cities and towns may home-rule charters. The entire area of the state choose a regional charter commission charter, is encompassed by town governments except with a council of governments as the governing for areas located within the boundaries of body, to provide various services such as cities. public safety, housing, water and sewer, and transportation. These councils are counted as PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS (332) special districts rather than county governments. See “Special Districts,” below. School District Governments (82) Only the following types of school districts in Massachusetts are counted as separate governments for census purposes: Regional school districts (also known as governments and are not counted as separate “academic regional school districts”) governments. Regional vocational-technical school The junior colleges in Massachusetts may be districts established by cities or towns and are classified as dependent agencies of the city or Independent vocational-technical town they serve. They are not counted as schools separate governments. Each of these types of school districts is Other Educational Activities created by election. The type of governing body is determined at the election creating the In Massachusetts, the superintendency unions district. These districts may issue bonds and or districts (for the joint employment of determine their fiscal needs, which are superintendents) are classified as joint provided by the participating towns. educational service agencies of the public school systems they serve and are not counted Dependent Public School Systems (250) as separate governments. Massachusetts statutes provide for the Educational collaboratives in Massachusetts following types of dependent public school may be formed by agreement between any two systems: or more public school systems to provide vocational or special education. A board of Systems dependent on county directors appointed by the participating school governments: systems governs each collaborative. The County agricultural schools collaboratives may receive contributions from participating public school systems and may Systems dependent on municipal accept state and federal grants. governments: City school systems Independent agricultural and technical schools are programs conducted by existing school Systems dependent on town districts and school systems. The programs governments: require state approval and are subject to state Town school systems fiscal control. The programs are not counted as separate governments. County agricultural schools are governed by boards of trustees consisting of the board of SPECIAL DISTRICT GOVERNMENTS (423) 2 county commissioners in an ex officio capacity plus other members appointed by the Massachusetts statutes authorize the creation Governor. The schools are financed through of a variety of special districts or authorities county appropriations. County agricultural that are counted as governments. These are schools are classified for census purposes as discussed in detail below. dependent agencies of county governments and are not counted as separate governments. Burncoat Pond Watershed District The city school systems and town school This district was created by special act and a systems each have an elected school landowner referendum. The district is committee to administer the schools; however, governed by a board consisting of four elected their fiscal requirements are determined and members; one selectman, serving ex officio, provided for by the respective city and town from each of the towns of Spencer and governments. City and town public school Leicester; and one member appointed by the systems are classified for census purposes as Massachusetts Audubon Society for as long as dependent agencies of city or town the society owns property in the district. The district may issue bonds. The property owners Economic and Industrial Development set assessments that are collected by the Corporations district. These corporations are created by special Central Massachusetts Economic acts. Each corporation serves selected areas Development Authority in one city or town. The corporations may provide development for commercial, industrial, This authority was created by special act to or research facilities or may provide acquire properties in Worcester county infrastructure. Each corporation is governed contaminated by oil or hazardous material for by a board of directors appointed by the the purpose of reclamation and development. municipal governing body or the chief The city of Worcester and the participating executive officer of the municipality. Local towns become members by passing a private agencies may nominate some board resolution. The board consists of one member members. The corporations may issue bonds, from the city of Worcester and each makes loans, and set fees and rentals. participating town. The authority apportions Development plans may require voter costs to the participating governments and, approval. The corporations have a variety of with the approval of the affected municipality, names. may issue general obligation bonds. Similar corporations created under general law Conservation Districts and under special acts requiring plan approval by the creating government are not counted as Conservation districts to provide soil separate governments. See “Subordinate conservation are created by the state Agencies and Areas,” below. committee for conservation of soil, water, and related resources of the state department of Fire and/or Water Districts natural resources upon petition of landowners. An elected board of supervisors governs each Fire or water districts have been individually district. The districts may require contributions established by special acts, subject to local from benefitted landowners. referendum, that provide substantially uniform provisions as to their operation and financing. Council of Governments These districts may provide fire protection, water supply, or both. An elected board of A 1999 general law authorizes cities and towns commissioners or prudential committee in abolished counties to form a regional charter governs each district. An exception is the commission called a council of governments. board of the Dedham-Westwood Water District, The creating agreement must be approved by which is appointed by the governing bodies of the voters. The councils provide a variety of the two participating towns. The districts may services including public safety, housing, fix rates for the use of facilities and, with voter tourism, health, education, sewer, solid waste, approval, set taxes. Some districts also may and transportation. The composition and issue bonds with voter approval.