Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 53, § 100: Proceedings in towns when papers not filed

Section 100. If, in a town, nomination papers placing persons in nomination for all the offices to be filled at a caucus are not filed, or upon a vacancy by death or otherwise, except a withdrawal, the chairman or secretary of the town committee shall forthwith call a meeting of said committee, which shall have all the powers relative to the nomination of candidates conferred in the preceding section upon a ward committee and the chairman and secretary of a city committee.