HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 5600

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, July 30, 2026.

 The committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5545) of Dennis C. Gallagher (with the approval of the town council) relative to the town Manager term of office in the charter of the city known as the town of Bridgewater, reports recommending that the accompanying bill (House, No. 5600) ought to pass [Local Approval Received].

For the committee,

JACK PATRICK LEWIS.

        FILED ON: 7/23/2026

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 5600

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 establishing the term of office for the town manager of the town of Bridgewater.

 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 IV of the charter of the city known as the town of Bridgewater, which is on file with the state archivist, as provided by section 12 of chapter 43B of the General Laws, is hereby amended by striking out section 4-1 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

 Section 4-1. Appointment, Qualifications, Term of Office

 The town council shall appoint by a majority vote of the full town council, a town manager for a term not to exceed three (3) years, which may be renewed for additional terms of up to three (3) years each upon a majority vote of the full town council, subject to the procedures for appointment and removal outlined in this article. The town manager shall be a person of proven administrative ability, especially qualified by education and training with prior experience as a city or town manager or an assistant city or town manager or the equivalent public or private sector level experience. The town council may from time to time establish additional qualifications as deemed necessary and appropriate. The town manager shall devote full-time to the duties of the office and shall not hold any other elective or appointive office in the town, nor shall the town manager engage in other business unless such business is approved in advance by a majority vote in public session of the town council. The town manager need not be a resident of the town, but must be a United States citizen.

 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon approval by a majority of the voters of the city known as the town of Bridgewater, but not otherwise.