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

Chapter 17 of the acts of 1928 is hereby amended by inserting after section 3 the following section:-

Section 3A. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the operations of the water department, which are under the control of the commissioners, and the method of selection of the commissioners shall be as set forth in local by-law adopted at any annual or special town meeting. Sections 2 and 3 of this act shall continue to be in full force and effect until the effective date of any such by-law duly adopted and so certified by the attorney general and by the town clerk.