SECTION 1.  Section 1 of chapter 143 of the acts of 1996 is hereby amended by striking out the first paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:- 

There is hereby established a nonprofit housing corporation which shall be known as the Acton Community Housing Corporation and shall be subject to the supervision of the board of selectmen of the town of Acton. The board of directors of the corporation shall consist of not less than 5 members who shall be appointed by the board of selectmen for staggered 3-year terms as designated by the board of selectmen, such appointments to be made annually by the board of selectmen on or before June thirtieth.  The board of selectmen may also appoint up to 2 associate members of the board of directors for staggered 3-year terms as designated by the board of selectmen, such appointments to be made annually by the board of selectmen on or before June thirtieth.  Members and associate members of the board of directors shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified.  Continuing members may act despite a vacancy in the board of directors and, for this purpose, subject to the final sentence of this paragraph, shall be deemed to constitute a full board of directors.  Any vacancy in the members or associate members of the board of directors, however occurring, may be filled by the board of selectmen for the unexpired portion of the term.  The chair of the board of directors may designate an associate member to sit on the board of directors for any particular matter or matters in the case of an absence, inability to act, or conflict of interest on the part of any member of the board of directors, or in the event of a vacancy on the board of directors, until the vacancy is filled.

SECTION 2. The second paragraph of said section of 1 of said chapter 143 is hereby amended by striking out the last sentence and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:-

The liability of the board and its members and associate members shall be limited to the same extent as the liability of a public employer and public employees as are limited by law.

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