SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any provision of any general or special law to the contrary, the number of members of the board of selectmen of the town of Milton shall be increased from three (3) to five (5). The board of selectmen shall annually elect a chairperson from among its members.

SECTION 2. At the first Annual Town Election following acceptance of this act by the voters of the town, but in no event prior to the 2017 Annual Town Election, three (3) Selectmen shall be elected.  The candidate receiving the highest number of votes in that election shall serve a three (3) year term, the candidate receiving the second highest number of votes shall serve a two (2) year term, and the candidate receiving the third highest number of votes shall serve a one (1) year term. Thereafter, as the terms of selectmen expire, successors shall be elected for terms of three (3) years.

The terms of those members currently serving as selectmen at the time of adoption of this act shall be unchanged by the adoption of this act.

SECTION 3. This act shall be submitted for acceptance to the voters of the Town of Milton at the next Annual or special Town election following its passage, in the form of the following question which shall be placed on the official ballot:

“Shall an act passed by the General Court entitled, ‘An Act increasing the membership of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Milton from Three (3) to Five (5) Members’ be accepted?”

If a majority of the votes cast in answer to the question is in the affirmative, sections 1 and 2 of this act shall thereupon take effect, but not otherwise.

SECTION 4. Section 3 of this act shall take effect upon its passage.