The Immigrant Voting Project 
Amherst, MA Legislation

TOWN WARRANT
Annual Town Meeting
April 28, 30, May 5, June 2, 9 and 11, 2003

The meeting was televised by Amherst Community Television and shown on the Government Channel.

The 244th Annual Town Meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Harrison Gregg at 7:43 p.m. There were 232 town meeting members. 117 checked in and a quorum was declared. The call and return of the warrant was read by Acting Town Clerk, Anna M. Maciaszek. The Moderator was sworn to the faithful performance of his duties. Town meeting members were sworn to the faithful performance of their duties.

Articles 1, 2, 3, and 6 were considered on April 28th. Consideration of Articles 4 and 5 was postponed until after discussion of Article 36. Frederick Hartwell, Hilda Greenbaum, Nonny Burack, James Pistrang, James Scott and H. Oldham Brooks were sworn as tellers.

ARTICLE 6. Petition – Special Act – Resident Aliens (V. Morales)

VOTED YES 142, NO 20 that the town authorize the Select Board to file with the legislature a request for a special act entitled, An Act authorizing local voting rights for permanent resident aliens residing in Amherst, as follows:

Section 1. Notwithstanding the provision of section one of chapter fifty-one of the General Laws, or any other general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, resident aliens eighteen years of age or older who reside in Amherst may, upon application, have their names entered on a list of voters established by the town clerk for the town of Amherst and may thereafter vote in any election for local offices and local ballot questions.

Section 2. The Select Board of Amherst is authorized to formulate regulations and guidelines to implement the purpose of this act.

Section 3. Nothing in this act shall be construed to confer upon permanent resident aliens the right to vote for any state or federal office or any state or federal ballot question.”

Action taken on 4/28/2003.

10:05 p.m., April 28, 2003 - The meeting voted to adjourn to Wednesday, April 30, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Amherst Regional Middle School. 188 town meeting members were checked in.