SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be in the town of Wenham a select board consisting of 5 members. The select board shall serve as the chief executive officer and policymaking body of the town and have and exercise all the powers and duties vested in boards of selectmen pursuant to the General Laws. Select board members shall serve for 3-year terms with as nearly as possible one-third of the members’ terms expiring each year.

SECTION 2. This act shall be submitted to the voters of the town of Wenham at the next annual town election occurring not less than 35 days after the effective date of this act in the form of the following question:

“Shall an act passed by the General Court entitled ‘An Act expanding the select board of the town of Wenham’ be accepted?”

Below the question shall appear a summary of the act prepared by town counsel and approved by the select board. If a majority of the votes cast to the question is in the affirmative, sections 1 and 3 of this shall take effect in the town of Wenham, but not otherwise.

SECTION 3. If the ballot question authorized by section 2 of this act shall be approved, the select board shall immediately call for a special election not later than 90 days after such approval. The 2 new offices of select board member shall appear on the ballot separately, with 1 being for a term of 3 years and the other being for a term of 2 years; provided, however, that the term of the candidate elected to the 3-year term at the special election pursuant to this act shall expire upon the election and qualification of a successor at the 2026 annual town election; and provided further, that the term of the candidate elected to the 2-year term at the special election pursuant to this act shall expire upon the election and qualification of a successor at the 2025 annual town election.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon its passage.