HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4662        FILED ON: 5/7/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4135

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Sean Garballey and Cindy F. Friedman

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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 amending the town manager act of Arlington relative to the appointment and management of the town clerk.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4662        FILED ON: 5/7/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4135

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 town manager act of Arlington relative to the appointment and management of the town clerk.

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. Section 8 of chapter 503 of the acts of 1952, as most recently amended by section 1 of chapter 94 of the acts of 2019, is hereby further amended by striking out the first sentence and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:- The election of assessors shall continue as presently provided.

SECTION 2. Subsection (a) of section 15 of said chapter 503, as most recently amended by section 2 of said chapter 94, is hereby further amended by striking out the first paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

The town manager shall supervise and direct the administration of all departments, commissions, boards and offices, except the select board, the school committee, moderator, board of assessors, registrars of voters, election officers, boards of appeal, the finance committee, the capital budget committee and the personnel review and appeals board.

SECTION 3. The second paragraph of subsection (c) of said section 15 of said chapter 503, as most recently amended by section 4 of said chapter 94, is hereby further amended by striking out the first and second sentences and inserting in place thereof the following 2 sentences:-  The town manager shall appoint upon merit and fitness alone the town's comptroller, who shall also be vested with the authorities of a town accountant, the town treasurer and collector, and the town clerk, subject to the approval of the select board. Appointment of the town clerk, comptroller and the town treasurer and collector shall become effective upon the approval of the select board.

SECTION 4. The third paragraph of said subsection (c) of said section 15 of said chapter 503, as most recently amended by section 6 of said chapter 94, is hereby further amended by striking out the first and second sentences and inserting in place thereof the following 2 sentences:-  The town clerk, comptroller or the town treasurer and collector may be removed by the town manager subject to the approval of the select board. Removal of the town clerk, comptroller or the town treasurer and collector shall become effective upon approval of the select board.

SECTION 5. Said subsection (c) of said section 15 of said chapter 503, as most recently amended by section 7 of said chapter 94, is hereby further amended by striking out the fourth paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection to the contrary, the town clerk, comptroller and the town treasurer and collector shall be authorized to report directly to the chairperson of the select board, or any member of the board, on any matter in the town at any time, without the necessity of prior approval from the town manager or any other official.

SECTION 6. Upon the effective date of this act, the incumbent elected to the office of town clerk shall continue to hold the office and to perform the duties thereof until the expiration of the term for which the individual was elected or until the individual otherwise vacates the office, whichever is sooner, at which time the elected office of town clerk shall be abolished and appointments to the position of town clerk shall be made in accordance with this act.

SECTION 7. This act shall take effect upon its passage.