SECTION 1.  Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 97 or 97A of Chapter 41 of the General Laws, or of any other general or special law to the contrary, there shall be a chief of police in the town of Belmont appointed by the Belmont board of selectmen who  shall have and exercise all the powers and discharge all the duties conferred by law generally upon police chiefs, and shall appoint such police officers as he/she may deem necessary, and may remove the same at any time for cause and after a hearing. He//She shall have full and absolute authority in the administration of the police department, shall make all rules and regulations for its operation, shall report to the board of selectmen from time to time as it may require, and shall annually report to the town the condition of the department with his/her recommendations thereon; he/she shall fix the compensation of all members of the department, subject to the approval of the selectmen. The chief shall be in immediate control of all town property used by the department, and of the police officers, whom he/she shall assign to the respective duties and who shall obey his/her orders.

SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect upon passage.