Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 53, § 29

The city or town clerk may designate two inspectors and two deputy inspectors, representing the two leading political parties, to serve at primaries, and from the whole body of election officers he may designate officers equally representing the two leading political parties to serve as tellers in any precinct or ward during part of the day for the purpose of receiving ballots, checking names, or canvassing and counting votes, such tellers to receive such part of a full day's compensation of election officers as the aldermen or selectmen may determine.