SECTION 1. Article 3 of the city of Methuen charter, which is on file with the archivist of the commonwealth, as provided in section 12 of chapter 43B of the General Laws, is hereby amended by striking out section 3-4 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 3-4 Temporary Appointments to City Offices.

Whenever a vacancy, either temporary or permanent, occurs in a City office and the needs of the City require that such office be filled, the Mayor may designate the head of another City agency or a City officer or employee, or some other person, especially fitted by merit and fitness, to perform the duties of the office for a period not exceeding ninety (90) calendar days. One (1) subsequent extension of a temporary appointment to a City office for a period not exceeding sixty (60) calendar days shall be permitted, and such an extension shall require the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the full City Council. The Mayor shall file a certificate, in substantially the following form, with the City Clerk whenever he or she makes a designation under this section:

I designate (name of person) to temporarily perform the duties of the office (designate office in which vacancy exists) for a period not exceeding ninety (90) calendar days until the office can be filled by (here set out the regular procedure for filling the vacancy, or when the regular officer shall return). I certify that said person is qualified to perform the duties which will be required and that I make this designation solely in the interests of the City of Methuen.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.