Section 18. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the legislative powers of the city council may be exercised as provided by ordinance or rule adopted by it.
1. Every member of the council may vote on any question coming before it. A majority of the council shall constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of a majority of all the members of the council shall be necessary to adopt any motion, resolution or ordinance.
2. The city council shall, from time to time, establish rules for its proceedings. Regular and special meetings of the council shall be held at a time and place fixed by ordinance. Except as otherwise authorized by section twenty-three A of chapter thirty-nine, all sessions of the council shall be open to the public and to the press, and every matter coming before the council for action shall be put to a vote, the result of which shall be duly recorded. A full and accurate journal of the proceedings of the council shall be kept, and shall be open to the inspection of any registered voter of the city.
3. The council shall, by a majority vote, elect a city clerk to hold office for three years and until his successor is qualified. He shall have such powers and perform such duties as the council may prescribe, in addition to such duties as may be prescribed by law. He shall keep the records of the meetings of the council.
The person holding the office of city clerk at the time when any of the plans set forth in this chapter has been adopted by such city shall continue to hold office for the term for which he was elected and until his successor is qualified.
4. The council in any city adopting Plan D or E shall, by a majority vote, elect a city auditor to hold office for three years and until his successor is qualified. He shall keep and have charge of the accounts of the city and from time to time audit the books and accounts of all departments, commissions, boards and offices of the city, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as the council may prescribe, in addition to such duties as may be prescribed by law.
Notes of Decisions
Dooling v. City Council, 242 Mass. 599 (Mass. 1922).
“267 (see now G. L. c. 43, §§ 18 to 44 and 55 to 63). The city acquired land, selected an architect and adopted plans and specifications for the erection of a new school house.”
King v. Mayor of Quincy, 169 N.E. 894 (Mass. 1930).
“43, § 50) and the city clerk (G. L. c. 43, § 18, cl. 3), but there is no express provision for election by it of any other officer.”
Petti v. Lyons, 402 N.E.2d 1090 (Mass. App. Ct. 1980).
“Indeed, G. L. c. 43, § 18(3), explicitly carries forward the pattern previously established.”
Mayor of New Bedford v. City Council, 13 Mass. App. Ct. 251 (Mass. App. Ct. 1982).
“The only specific appointment power given to the city council is contained in G. L. c. 43, § 18, *255 authorizing the appointment of a city clerk.”
Sherriff v. Mayor of Revere, 243 N.E.2d 185 (Mass. 1969).
“By G. L. c. 43, § 18 (3), it is provided, in material part: “The council shall, by a majority vote, elect a city clerk to hold office for three years and until his successor is qualified.”
Seskevich v. City Clerk of Worcester, 231 N.E.2d 376 (Mass. 1967).
“” This gave certain unqualified rights of inspection; it did not make illegal inspection by other persons not specified. The law is now otherwise.”
Greco v. Mayor of Revere, 1 Mass. App. Ct. 135 (Mass. App. Ct. 1973).
“6 appear to have been adopted pursuant to the requirements found in G. L. c. 43, § 18(2), that a “city council shall, from time to time, establish rules for its proceedings” and that “ [r] egular and special meetings of the council shall be held at a time and place fixed by…”
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 43, § 18(2) — 1 case
Greco v. Mayor of Revere, 1 Mass. App. Ct. 135 (Mass. App. Ct. 1973).
“6 appear to have been adopted pursuant to the requirements found in G. L. c. 43, § 18(2), that a “city council shall, from time to time, establish rules for its proceedings” and that “ [r] egular and special meetings of the council shall be held at a time and place fixed by…”
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 43, § 18(3) — 1 case
Petti v. Lyons, 402 N.E.2d 1090 (Mass. App. Ct. 1980).
“Indeed, G. L. c. 43, § 18(3), explicitly carries forward the pattern previously established.”
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