An Act To Change the Name of Township 16, Range 4, WELS, to Madawaska Lake

Mandate preamble. This measure requires one or more local units of government to expand or modify activities so as to necessitate additional expenditures from local revenues but does not provide funding for at least 90% of those expenditures. Pursuant to the Constitution of Maine, Article IX, Section 21, 2/3 of all of the members elected to each House have determined it necessary to enact this measure.

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 area referred to currently as Township 16, Range 4, WELS, and located in Aroostook County to Madawaska Lake. The proposal results from the desire of residents of the township to preserve the area's identity and to erect signs to indicate this name; 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. Madawaska Lake. Wherever the designation Township 16, Range 4, WELS, appears or reference is made to that unorganized territory, that designation or reference means Madawaska Lake.

Sec. 2. Referendum for ratification. This Act must be submitted to the legal voters residing in the unorganized territory of Township 16, Range 4, 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 124th 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 16, Range 4, WELS, to Madawaska Lake?"

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

This Act takes effect immediately upon its acceptance by a majority of the legal voters voting at the election.

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

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

This bill authorizes the Aroostook County commissioners to seek approval from the residents of Township 16, Range 4, WELS, to rename the township Madawaska Lake.