Bill H.3913

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4453 FILED ON: 2/25/2025

HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3913

By Representative Howitt of Seekonk, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3913) of Steven S. Howitt (by vote of the town) that the town of Seekonk be authorized to amend its charter. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act amending the charter of the town of Seekonk.

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.The charter of the Town of Seekonk, 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 in section 2 of article 1 the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 2.Section 5 of said article 1 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out in the definition of the word “resolution” the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.

SECTION 3.Section 5 of article 2 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out in the paragraph labeled “special meetings” the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.

SECTION 4.The first sentence of section 6 of said article 2 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 5. The second sentence of said section 6 of said article 2 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 6.The third sentence of section 7 of said article 2 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.

SECTION 7.Section 3 of article 3 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.

SECTION 8.Subsection (A) of section 1 of article 4 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.

SECTION 9.The first sentence of section 3 of said article 4 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.

SECTION 10.The subheading of article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking from the subheading the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.

SECTION 11.The first sentence of section 1 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 12.The second sentence of said section 1 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 13.The third sentence of said section 1 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 14.The first sentence of section 2 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 15.The second sentence of said section 2 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” in each instance in which they appear and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 16.The third sentence of said section 2 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 17.The fourth sentence of said section 2 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 18.The first sentence of section 3 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 19.Subsection (A) of said section 3 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 20.The first sentence of subsection (B) of said section 3 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 21.The second sentence of said subsection (B) of said section 3 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 22.The third sentence of said subsection (B) of said section 3 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 23.The first sentence of subsection (C) of said section 3 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 24.Section 4 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 25.The second sentence of section 1 of article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 26.The second sentence of section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 27.The second sentence of the second paragraph of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 28.Subsection (A) of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 29.Subsection (B) of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 30.Subsection (C) of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking it in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following new subsection:- The Town Administrator shall attend all sessions of the town meeting and answer all questions concerning warrant articles which are directed to the Town Administrator and which relate to matters under their general supervision.

SECTION 31.Subsection (D) of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 32.Subsection (F) of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” in each instance in which they appear and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 33.Subsection (G) of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 34.Subsection (H) of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking it out in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following new subsection:- The Town Administrator may at any time inquire into the conduct of any office or any town officer, employee, and department or agency under the Town Administrator’s jurisdiction and control.

SECTION 35.Subsection (I) of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking it out in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following new subsection:- The Town Administrator shall be responsible for the negotiation of all contracts involving any subject within the Town Administrator’s jurisdiction. All such contracts as may be proposed by the Town Administrator shall be subject to final approval and execution by the Select Board. The Select Board may authorize the Town Administrator to execute any such approved contract on behalf of the town. The Town Administrator shall be included in the negotiations for the School Department to the extent required by statute.

SECTION 36.The second sentence of subsection (J) of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking it out in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following new sentence:- The Town Administrator shall, in conjunction with that Board, prepare and maintain a plan establishing the personnel staffing requirements for each town agency or department within the Town Administrator’s jurisdiction.

SECTION 37.Subsection (K) of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking it out in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following new subsection:- The Town Administrator shall be the Chief Procurement Officer for the town and be responsible for the purchase of all common-use supplies, materials and equipment for the Town, to the extent permitted by state law, excepting books and other educational materials for schools and books and other medial materials for the libraries. The Town Administrator shall approve the award of all contracts for all town departments with the exception of the School Department, subject to the approval of the Select Board.

SECTION 38.Subsection (L) of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking it out in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following new subsection:- The Town Administrator shall perform any other duties required of them under this Charter, the Town of Seekonk by-laws, town meeting vote or a vote of the Select Board.

SECTION 39.The first sentence of section 3 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 40.The second sentence of said section 3 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 41.The first sentence of section 4 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 42.The second sentence of said section 4 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 43.The third sentence of said section 4 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 44.The first sentence of section 5 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 45.The first sentence of subsection (A) of said section 5 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 46.Subsection (B) of said section 5 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking it out in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following new subsection:- Within five (5) days of receipt of the Board’s preliminary resolution, the Town Administrator may request a public hearing by filing a written request for such a hearing with the Select Board. Thereafter, a public hearing shall be held not more than thirty (30) days after the request is filed, nor sooner than twenty (20) days after the filing of the request. The Town Administrator may file a written statement in justification of their tenure in office with the Select Board, provided any such statement is received by the Board not more than forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the public hearing.

SECTION 47.Subsection (C) of said section 5 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking it out in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following new subsection:- The Select Board may adopt a final resolution of removal, which may be made effective immediately, by affirmative vote of the majority of the full Board, at any time after ten (10) days following the date of delivery of a copy of the preliminary resolution to the Town Administrator, if the Town Administrator has not requested a public hearing, or at any time after the public hearing if they have requested one. Within ten (10) days following the vote to make the resolution final, but in no event more than forty-five (45) days following the date of adoption of the preliminary resolution, the Select Board shall, by a majority vote of the full Board, either affirm or deny the final resolution of removal. Failure to affirm a final resolution of removal shall nullify the vote to remove the Town Administrator.

SECTION 48.The second sentence of subsection (D) of said section 5 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” in each instance in which they appear and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 49.Section 6 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking it out in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following new section:-

The Town Administrator shall recommend the appointment of the following board and commission members to the Select Board for approval:

BOARD/COMMISSION NUMBER OF MEMBERS

Zoning Board of Appeals 5 and 3 alternate members

Board of Health* 5

Board of Registrars other than Town Clerk 3

Parks and Recreation Committee5

Human Services Council 7

Conservation Commission5

Arts Council Commission5

Historical Commission 7

Recycling Committee Min 3, max. 7

Capital Improvement Committee 4 members and 3 additional appointed by Moderator

*The Board of Health shall appoint a Health Agent and additional personnel for the board; such employees shall not be current board members.

Other committees appointed by the Select Board pursuant to MGL, town by-law or town meeting action.

The Town Administrator shall recommend the appointment of the following town officers to the Select Board for approval: Police Chief, Fire Chief, Superintendent of Public Works, Building Inspector, Zoning Officer, Town Treasurer/Town Collector, Human Services Director, Communications Director, Veteran’s Agent, Animal Control Officer, Park and Recreation Director, Emergency Management Director, Sealer of Weights & Measures, Plumbing Inspector, Gas Inspector, Electrical Inspector, Mechanical Inspector, director of Finance and any other positions of the level of department head under the jurisdiction of the Select Board.

The board or commission members and officers of the town appointed under this article shall serve for three (3) year terms, unless otherwise removed as provided in Article Eight, or removed in accordance with the provisions of the town’s personnel by-law.

Recommendations made by the Town Administrator shall become effective on the fifteen (15th) day following the day on which notice of the appointment is filed with the Select Board unless the Select Board shall, within said period, by a majority vote of the board, vote to reject any such recommendation or has vote to sooner affirm the appointment.

SECTION 50.The first sentence of section 1 of article 7 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 51.The fourth sentence of section 1 of article 7 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 52. The first sentence of section 3 of said article 7 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 53.The second sentence of said section 3 of said article 7 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 54.The third sentence of said section 3 of said article 7 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 55.The second sentence of section 4 of said article 7 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 56.The first sentence of section 5 of said article 7 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 57.Subsection (G) of said section 5 of said article 7 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 58.The first sentence of section 6 of said article 7 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 59.The third sentence of said section 6 of said article 7 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 60.The first sentence of section 7 of said article 7 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 61.The second sentence of section 1 of article 8 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 62.Section 5 of said article 8 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 63.Section 10 of said article 8 of said charter is hereby amended by striking it in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following new section:- Any member of an appointive board or commission of the town shall be deemed to have vacated their office upon being absent from five (5) consecutive, regularly scheduled meetings.

SECTION 64.The first sentence of section 11 of said article 8 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” in each instance in which they appear and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 65.The fourth sentence of said section 11 of said article 8 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the words:- Select Board.

SECTION 66.The second sentence of section 2 of article 9 of said charter is hereby amended by striking it out in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following new sentence:- Except as may otherwise be provided by this charter, no regular full-time or part-time employee of the town shall forfeit their pay grade or longevity as a result of the adoption of this charter.

SECTION 67.This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Name:	District/Address:	Date Added:
Steven S. Howitt	4th Bristol	2/25/2025