Session Laws

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. The city of Medford shall be governed by a Mayor-Council form of government, so-called, Plan A with certain exceptions, which was approved by the voters of the city of Medford at an election held November fourth, nineteen hundred and eighty-six, and is as follows:-

Section 1. The Plan E, Manager-Council form of government as presently in effect for the city of Medford is hereby abolished, declared null and void and of no effect.

Section 2. The Plan A, Mayor-Council form of government as provided for under the provisions of sections forty-six to fifty-five, inclusive of chapter forty-three of the General Laws, is hereby enacted and in effect for the city of Medford with the following exceptions to said sections forty-six to fifty-five, inclusive of said chapter forty-three:

(a) The city council shall remain as consisting of seven members elected at large for terms of two years at each municipal election,

(b) vacancies occurring in the city council shall be filled by that defeated candidate at the last regular municipal election who received the highest number of votes for election to the city council and is eligible and willing to serve, and

(c) such further exceptions as are expressly set forth under the terms of this act.

Section 3. The mayor shall serve as a member and as chairman of the school committee. Nothing in this act shall affect the election, powers or duties of the school committee, it being the intent and purpose of this act that the school committee remain as it exists under the laws in effect for the city of Medford immediately prior to the enactment of this Act.

Section 4. The salary for the office of mayor shall be the same as that salary for the position of city manager as of January first, nineteen hundred and eighty-six, namely the sum of fifty-two thousand dollars per year, and the Mayor shall receive no other compensation from the city. The term "Mayor" shall be exclusively reserved for that elected position as provided in this act and the presiding member of the city council shall hereafter be known as "President of The City Council."

Section 5. Sections one to forty-four G, inclusive, of chapter forty-three of the General Laws, as in effect for the city of Medford immediately prior to the enactment of this act, shall apply to the plan of government enacted by this Act except as otherwise provided herein.

Section 6. In order to provide for continuity of functions and insure an orderly transition of government, persons presently holding office by election, appointment, special acts of the Legislature and Ordinances of the city of Medford shall continue to hold office until their term of office expires and their successors are chosen and qualify under this Act.

Section 7. Preliminary and regular elections shall be held biennially in every odd-numbered year on the day fixed for holding such elections under the laws in effect in Medford immediately prior to enactment of this act. The first preliminary election after passage of this Act shall be held in September, nineteen hundred and eighty-seven, and the first regular election shall be held in November, nineteen hundred and eighty-seven.

Section 8. The mayor and members of the city council elected at the first regular election after passage of this Act shall hold office for the term of two years from the first Monday of January following their election and this act shall be in full force and effect from and after said date.

Section 9. None of the legislative powers of the city of Medford shall be abridged or impaired by this act; ordinances, regulations, orders and other regulations of the city of Medford and any authorized body or official thereof existing at the time of enactment hereof shall continue in full force and effect until repealed, modified or superseded and all official bonds, recognizances, obligations, contracts and other instruments entered into or executed by the city before enactment of this act, and all taxes, special assessments, fines, penalties, forfeitures incurred or imposed, due or owing to the city shall be enforced and collected, and all writs, prosecutions, actions and causes of action, except as herein otherwise provided, shall continue without abatement and remain unaffected by this act and no legal act done by or in favor of the city shall be rendered invalid by enactment of this act.

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