An Act To Change the Name of Township 17, Range 3 to Van Buren Cove

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  this legislation proposes a referendum to ratify changing the name of the unorganized territory referred to currently as Township 17, Range 3, WELS, and located in Aroostook County to Van Buren Cove, and requires the referendum to be held no later than 6 months after adjournment of the First Regular Session of the 129th Legislature; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. Van Buren Cove. Wherever the designation Township 17, Range 3, WELS, appears or reference is made to that unorganized territory, that designation or reference means Van Buren Cove.

Sec. 2. Referendum for ratification. This Act must be submitted to the legal voters residing in the unorganized territory of Township 17, Range 3, WELS, in Aroostook County. The date of the submission must be determined by the Aroostook County Board of Commissioners but may not be later than 6 months after adjournment of the First Regular Session of the 129th Legislature. The Aroostook County commissioners are authorized to expend such funds as necessary to implement the referendum.

The county commissioners shall cause the preparation of the required ballots, on which they shall state the subject matter of this Act in the following question:

"Do you favor changing the name of Township 17, Range 3, WELS, to Van Buren Cove?"

The voters shall indicate by a cross or a check mark placed against the word "Yes" or "No" their opinion of the question.

The result of the election must be declared by the Aroostook County commissioners and due certificate filed with the Secretary of State.

Sec. 3. Emergency clause; effective date. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved only for the purpose of submitting it to the legal voters residing in the unorganized territory of Township 17, Range 3, WELS, in Aroostook County no later than 6 months after adjournment of the First Regular Session of the 129th Legislature. The name change in section 1 of this Act takes effect immediately upon its acceptance by a majority of the legal voters voting at the election held pursuant to section 2.

SUMMARY

This bill authorizes the Aroostook County Board of Commissioners to seek approval from the residents of Township 17, Range 3, WELS, to rename the township to Van Buren Cove.