Massachusetts § 44 - Improvement districts; purposes; membership; tenure; powers and duties

Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 44 — Improvement districts; purposes; membership; tenure; powers and duties, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 44. Improvement districts; purposes; membership; tenure; powers and duties

Section 44. A town may, at a town meeting, authorize a village or district therein, if it contains not less than one thousand inhabitants, to organize under a name approved by the town for the purpose of erecting and maintaining street lamps, establishing and maintaining libraries, building and maintaining sidewalks, or for employing and paying police officers, and shall accurately define the limits of such village or district. Such village or district shall have a clerk and a prudential committee, and may have a treasurer and such other officers as it determines, each of whom shall hold office for one year and until another is qualified. Such village or district may adopt by-laws to define the manner of calling its meetings and the duties of its officers, may sue and be sued in the name of its inhabitants, and, so far as appropriate, shall be subject to sections sixty-two, sixty-three, sixty-six, sixty-nine, seventy-one, seventy-two, seventy-three, seventy-seven and seventy-nine of chapter forty-eight.

Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 44

What does Massachusetts General Laws § 44 cover?

Section 44 ("Improvement districts; purposes; membership; tenure; powers and duties") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Massachusetts § 44?

A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 44" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.

How does Massachusetts § 44 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.