SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2396        FILED ON: 1/20/2016

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2106

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Ryan C. Fattman

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act authorizing the town of Southbridge to place a certain question on the ballot relative to amending the charter of the town of Southbridge.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2396        FILED ON: 1/20/2016

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2106

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

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An Act authorizing the town of Southbridge to place a certain question on the ballot relative to amending the charter of the town of Southbridge.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 3-1-5 of 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 inserting the names of the quasi-judicial boards which shall appear as follows:-  Any elected or appointed member of a quasi-judicial board (Zoning Board of Appeals Conservation Commission, Board of Health, Liquor Licensing Board, Planning Board and Special Permit Granting Authority), shall be limited to one such board and ineligible to serve on any other such quasi-judicial board during that member’s term.

SECTION 2. Section 6-1-3 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the sentence “The Director shall be a Massachusetts license, Professional Engineer” and shall now appear as follows:- 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 3. Section 6-1-4 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the sentence “The Director shall be appointed by the Town Manager for a three year term and shall hold office until his or her successor is appointed” and shall now appear as follows:- Said Director may be removed in the same manner as other Department Heads as provided by this Charter.

SECTION 4. Section 7-1-1 of said charter is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:- No Town office or agency shall, unless specifically authorized to do so by the Town Manager, employ, advise with or consult any attorney or counselor at law with regard to its duties, or to any Town business. Whenever it is determined that the services of legal specialist are required, necessary or desirable, the Town Manager shall, after consultation with the Town Attorney and the office or agency involved, designate such special counsel.

SECTION 5. Section 11-1-1 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “last” and inserting in place thereof the word “second” and shall now appear as follows:- The regular election for all Town offices shall be by official ballot held on the second Tuesday in June.