SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be an appointed collector in the town of Northfield. The 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 collectors. The collector shall be appointed, and may be removed, by the board of selectmen of the town. The board of selectmen may establish an employment contract with the 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 office, liability insurance, conditions of discipline, termination, dismissal, reappointment, performance standards and leave.

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding section 1, the incumbent holding the office of collector on the effective date of this act shall continue to hold office and to perform the duties thereof until the expiration or the term for which he or she was elected, unless the incumbent sooner vacates the office. After the term of the incumbent collector holding office on the effective date of this act has expired, or is sooner vacated, the board of selectmen shall appoint a collector in the manner set forth in said section 1.

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