Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, all acts and proceedings of the town of North Reading at a special town election held on November 19, 1996, and all actions taken pursuant thereto are hereby ratified, validated and confirmed, notwithstanding any defect or omission in the calling or holding of said special town election.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.