SECTION 1.  Notwithstanding any general or special law or rule or regulation to the contrary, there shall be a treasurer-collector for the town of Barre.  The treasurer-collector shall have all the powers, perform the duties and be subject to the liabilities and penalties now or hereafter conferred and imposed by law on town treasurers and town collectors of taxes.  The treasurer-collector shall be appointed and may be removed by a majority vote of the board of selectmen of the town.  The board of selectmen shall appoint a treasurer-collector as an employee at will for a term not to exceed 3 years.  The board of selectmen may establish an employment agreement with the treasurer-collector for salary, fringe benefits and other conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, severance pay, reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of the duties of the office, liability insurance, and conditions of discipline, termination, dismissal, reappointment, performance standards and leave.  The position of treasurer-collector shall be exempt from the provisions of the town’s personnel by-law.

SECTION 2.   Notwithstanding section 1, upon the effective date of this act, the positions of elected town treasurer and elected tax collector shall be abolished and the terms of the officers holding the office shall be terminated.  The board of selectmen shall appoint a treasurer-collector in accordance with section 1. A vacancy in the office shall be filled in a like manner for the unexpired portion of the term.

SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.