FILED ON: 9/25/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4556

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

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

_______________

An Act authorizing the town of Avon to appoint a 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. Article III of the charter of the town of Avon, which is 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 section 3-4.

SECTION 2. Article IV of said charter is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 4-32. TOWN CLERK

(a) Appointment, Term of Office - There shall be a town clerk, appointed by the select board, to serve for a term of 3 years.

(b) Powers and Duties - The town clerk shall: (i) be the keeper of vital statistics for the town; (ii) be the custodian of the town seal and of all other records of the town; (iii) administer the oath of office to all town officers who are required to be sworn to their office; (iv) be the clerk of the town meeting; (v) issue all such licenses and permits as are provided by law; and (vi) be responsible for the conduct of all elections held in the town and of all other matters relating to elections. The town clerk shall have all of the other powers, duties and responsibilities that are given to town clerks by the General Laws.

SECTION 3. As of the effective date of this act, the elected incumbent town clerk shall continue to serve in such elected position for the term for which they were elected. The town clerk shall, during this period, be subject to the call of the appointing authority for the position as set forth in the town of Avon town charter. Upon the expiration of such elected term, the elected office shall be abolished; provided, however, that the elected incumbent holding office as of the effective date of this act shall become the first appointed clerk under this act. If the elected incumbent removes from office prior to the expiration of the elected term, the elected position shall thereupon be abolished and such office filled in accordance with appointing procedures as set forth in the town of Avon town charter.                           

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