SECTION 1. The charter of the town of Southbridge, which is on file in the office of the archivist of the commonwealth, as provided in section 12 of chapter 43B of the General Laws, is hereby amended by striking out section 6-1-3 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 6-1-3: There shall be a director of public works, appointed for a three-year term by the town manager, subject to confirmation by the town council. The director shall report directly to the town manager.

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding section 42C of chapter 54 of the General Laws, this act shall be submitted to the voters of the town of Southbridge in the form of the following question which shall be placed on the ballot at a regular or special town election to be held in the year 2016:

“Shall an act passed by the General Court in the year 2016, entitled ‘An Act relative to the Director of Public Works in the town of Southbridge’ be accepted?”

The town counsel of the town of Southbridge shall cause a fair and concise summary of the question to be included below the ballot question.

If a majority of the votes cast in answer to this question are in the affirmative, this act shall take effect in the town of Southbridge, but not otherwise.

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