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, the town of Shirley may establish a board of sewer commissioners, to manage and direct the operations of the sanitary sewer collection system in said town and to represent the town in regard to shared use of wastewater treatment facilities with other municipalities or entities, including the Devens Regional Enterprise Zone established by chapter 498 of the acts of 1993, in accordance with the provisions of this act. The board of sewer commissioners shall have all the powers and perform the duties of sewer commissioners as set forth in section 65 of chapter 41 of the General Laws.

SECTION 2. The board of sewer commissioners shall consist of five members, at least three of whom shall reside within the sewer system service area. The initial members shall be appointed by the board of selectmen for staggered terms, as follows: one member for one year; two members for two years and two members for three years. When the initial one year term expires, that position shall thereafter be filled by appointment by the board of selectmen, each appointment to be for a term of three years and the appointee to reside within the sewer system service area. When the initial two year and three year terms expire, one position in each of such years, and thereafter, shall be filled by election, at large, at the annual town election, for a term of three years; and one position in each of such years, and thereafter, shall be filled by appointment by the board of selectmen for a term of three years, the appointees to reside within the sewer system service area.

SECTION 3. The town of Shirley is hereby authorized to apportion sewer connection privilege fees pursuant to section 17 of chapter 83 of the General Laws and the town's sewer system by-law in the same manner as betterment assessment may be apportioned under chapter 80 of the General Laws.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon its passage.