HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4933        FILED ON: 2/16/2024

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4506

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Nicholas A. Boldyga and Paul W. Mark

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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 relative to the election and composition of the conservation commission within the town of Southwick.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4933        FILED ON: 2/16/2024

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4506

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act relative to the election and composition of the conservation commission within the town of Southwick.

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. (a) Notwithstanding section 8C of chapter 40 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the conservation commission of the town of Southwick shall consist of 7 members. Four members of the commission shall be appointed by the town select board and 3 members of the commission shall be elected by the voters at the annual town election. All members of the conservation commission shall reside in the town of Southwick and be registered voters of the town therein.

(b) Each member of the commission shall serve for a 3-year term or until a member no longer serves on the commission, as set forth in this act, whichever is earlier.

(c) Should any of the commissions, boards or authorities who or which have appointing authority under this act be no longer in existence for whatever reason, that position that would have been appointed shall thereafter be elected by the voters at the annual town election and shall reside in the town of Southwick and be a registered voter in the town.

(d) The select board may remove any member of the commission for cause after a hearing.

(e) Any vacancy occurring on the commission from any cause shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by the select board, such appointment shall be made not less than 21 days following notice of such vacancy.

(f) Any vacancy occurring in 1 of the positions elected by the voters, pursuant to subsection (a), shall be filled by an appointment by the town select board until the next annual town election where the vacant position on the conservation commission shall be available on the ballot and shall be filled by the election of the registered voters of the town of Southwick for the balance of the unexpired term, if any, otherwise for the new term.

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding subsection (b) of section 1 of this act, the initial terms of the 3 members elected by the voters at the next annual town election shall be: (i) 1 person for a 1-year term; (ii) 1 person for a 2-year term; and (iii) 1 person for a 3-year term. Thereafter, these members shall be elected for 3-year terms at the annual town election.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage.