SECTION 1. Section 8 of the charter of the town of Ipswich, 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 the section in its entirely and inserting in place thereof the following:-

"In the event of a temporary absence (not more than thirty days) of the Town Manager, the Town Manager shall appoint a qualified employee of the Town to perform the duties of that office during that period, by a letter filed with the Town Clerk and the Select Board. If the Town Manager fails to make an appointment within forty-right (48) hours, the Select Board shall appoint a qualified employee of the Town to fill the duties of that office. If the absence extends beyond thirty days the Select Board may then appoint a capable person to perform the duties of the Town Manager. No member of the Select Board shall serve as Acting Town Manager."