SECTION 1: Notwithstanding any provision of any general or special law to the contrary, the number of members of the Select Board of the Town of Lancaster shall be increased from three (3) to five (5). The Select Board 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 2026 Annual Town Election, three (3) Select Board members 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 the Select Board members expire, successors shall be elected for terms of three (3) years.

The terms of those members currently serving as Select Board members 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 Lancaster 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 Select Board of the Town of Lancaster' 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.