Except as expressly made applicable by reference in other chapters, this chapter shall not apply to corporations subject to chapter 156A, chapter 156B or chapter 156D or to corporations organized for the purpose of carrying on the business of a bank, savings bank, co-operative bank, trust company, credit union, surety or indemnity company, or safe deposit company, or for the purpose of carrying on within the commonwealth the business of an insurance company, railroad, electric railroad, street railway or trolley motor company, telegraph or telephone company, gas, or electric company, canal, aqueduct or water company, cemetery or crematory company, or to any other corporations which now have or may hereafter have the right to take land within the commonwealth by eminent domain or to exercise franchises in public ways granted by the commonwealth or by any county, city or town; provided, however, that section 17 of this chapter shall remain available to all corporations which were subject to this chapter immediately before the effective date of chapter 156B; and provided, further, that any amendment to the articles of organization of any such corporation adopted before such date shall be effected by filing articles of amendment, and any rights of dissenting stockholders arising from the adoption of such amendment or from a vote of the stockholders to sell, lease or exchange all the property of any such corporation adopted prior to such date, shall be enforced, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 156, § 2