SECTION 1.  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there is hereby established a water and sewer commission of the town of Dudley, consisting of five members to be elected by the voters of the town as provided in Section 2.  Upon election and qualification, the commission shall succeed to all of the responsibilities and powers of the present Dudley board of water commissioners and the Dudley board of sewer commissioners under applicable law, including, but not limited to, chapter 252 of the acts of 1909, chapter 41 of the acts of 1948, and chapter 40N of the general laws.

SECTION 2.  At the next annual town election, the town of Dudley shall hold an election to fill the position of the five members to the water and sewer commission.  Of the initial members, one shall be elected for a one year term, two shall be elected for two year terms, and two shall be elected for three year terms.  Upon the election of the five members, the terms of office of the existing members of the board of water commissioners and the board of sewer commissioners shall cease.  The terms of office for the initial members of the commission shall commence immediately upon qualification and shall expire at the close of the next annual Dudley town election in accordance with the length of the initial terms of office.  Upon the expiration of the initial terms, eac term of each member thereafter elected shall be three year terms.

SECTION 3.  The water and sewer commission may adopt rules and regulations in support of its responsibilities and duties under law and the operation of the water and sewer systems.