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October 31, 2024 Clouds | 71°F
The 193rd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A GENDER-NEUTRAL CHARTER IN THE TOWN OF WALPOLE

     Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

     SECTION1. Subsection (C) of section 2-2 of article II of the charter of the town of Walpole, 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 the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-  select board.
     SECTION 2.  Subsection (F) of said section 2-2 of said article II of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “he or she” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the town meeting representative.
     SECTION 3.  Subsection (G) of said section 2-2 of said article II of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “he or she” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the citizen.
     SECTION 4.  Subsection (A) of section 2-4 of said article II of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectman” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 5.  Subsection (A) of section 2-5 of said article II 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 6.  Subsection (C) of said section 2-5 of said article II of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 7.  Subsection (D) of said section 2-5 of said article II 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 2-6 of said article II of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “he or she” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the registered voter.
     SECTION 9.  Paragraph (2) of subsection (B) of said section 2-6 of said article II of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “his/her” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the town meeting representative’s.
     SECTION 10.  Paragraph (5) of subsection (B) of section 2-7 of said article II of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “his/her” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the candidate’s.
     SECTION 11.  Subsection (C) of section 2-8 of said article II of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “him or her” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the moderator.
     SECTION 12.  Subsection (B) of section 2-9 of said article II 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 13.  Subsection (C) of said section 2-9 of said article II 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 14.  Paragraph (2) of subsection (D) of said section 2-9 of said article II of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “chairman” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- chair.
     SECTION 15.  Subsection (C) of section 2-10 of said article II 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 16.  Subsection (B) of section 2-11 of said article II of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 17.  Subsection (C) of said section 2-11 of said article II of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 18.  The first paragraph of section 2-12 of said article II 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 19.  Clause (1) of subsection (D) of section 2-13 of said article II of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “his/her” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the town clerk’s.
     SECTION 20.  Said subsection (D) of section 2-13 of said article II of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the word “Selectmen”, each time it appears, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 21.  Subsection (A) of section 3-1 of article III 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 22.  Section 3-2 of said article III of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the heading and inserting in place thereof the following heading:- Select Board.
     SECTION 23.  Subsection (A) of said section 3-2 of said article III 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 24.  Subsection (B) of said section 3-2 of said article III of said charter is hereby amended by striking out paragraph (1) and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-
     (1)  All executive authority of the town government shall be vested in a select board. The select board shall have all of the powers and duties conferred upon boards of selectmen under the constitution and general and special laws of the commonwealth as determined by the town by-laws and this charter. The select board shall provide executive policies and procedures to be carried out by the town administrator. The select board shall require all offices and municipal agencies to administer and enforce the laws equally among the public to protect the general welfare and the select board may bring suit against any office or municipal agency if necessary to carry out the law.
     SECTION 25.  Paragraph (2) of said subsection (B) of said section 3-2 of said article III 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 26.  Paragraph (3) of said subsection (B) of said section 3-2 of said article III of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “Selectmen”, each time it appears, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 27.  The last sentence of said paragraph (3) of said subsection (B) of said section 3-2 of said article III of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “they so deem” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- it deems.
     SECTION 28.  Paragraph (4) of said subsection (B) of said section 3-2 of said article III of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “Selectmen”, the first time it appears, and inserting in place thereof the following words:-  select board.
     SECTION 29.  Clause (c) of said paragraph (4) of said subsection (B) of said section 3-2 of said article III 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 30.  Clause (d) of said paragraph (4) of said subsection (B) of said section 3-2 of said article III 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 31.  Paragraph (5) of said subsection (B) of said section 3-2 of said article III 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 32.  Paragraph (6) of said subsection (B) of said section 3-2 of said article III of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 33.  Paragraph (7) of said subsection (B) of said section 3-2 of said article III of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “Selectmen”, each time it appears, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 34.  Paragraph (8) of said subsection (B) of said section 3-2 of said article III 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 35.  Paragraph (4) of subsection (B) of section 3-5 of said article III 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 36.  Paragraph (1) of subsection (B) of section 3-7 of said article III 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 37.  Section 3-10 of said article III of said charter is hereby amended by striking out clause (A) and inserting in place thereof the following clause:-
     (A)  In the office of the select board, the remaining members of the select board may call a special election to fill the vacancy and shall call such election upon the request, in writing, of the lesser of: (i) 200 registered voters of the town; or (ii) 20 per cent of the total number of registered voters of the town; provided, however, that any such request shall be filed with the remaining members of the select board not less than 100 days before the date of the next annual election.
     SECTION 38.  Clause (B) of said section 3-10 of said article III of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “Selectmen”, each time it appears, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 39.  The first paragraph of section 4-1 of article IV 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 40.  Said first paragraph of said section 4-1 of said article IV of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the words “his/her” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-  the town administrator’s.
     SECTION 41.  The first paragraph of section 4-2 of said article IV of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “his/her”, each time they appear, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:-  such person’s.
     SECTION 42.  Said first paragraph of said section 4-2 of said article IV of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the words “He or she” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-  The town administrator.
     SECTION 43.  The second paragraph of said section 4-2 of said article IV of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “his/her”, each time they appear, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the town administrator’s.
     SECTION 44.  Said second paragraph of said section 4-2 of said article IV of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 45.  The third paragraph of said section 4-2 of said article IV of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “his/her” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the town administrator’s.
     SECTION 46.  Said third paragraph of said section 4-2 of said article IV of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-  select board.
     SECTION 47.  The fourth paragraph of said section 4-2 of said article IV of said charter is hereby amended striking out the word “Board” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 48.  Said fourth paragraph of said section 4-2 of said article IV of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the words “his/her” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the town administrator’s.
     SECTION 49.  Said fourth paragraph of said section 4-2 of said article IV of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the word “Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-  select board.
     SECTION 50.  The fifth paragraph of said section 4-2 of said article IV of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-  select board.
     SECTION 51.  Section 4-3 of said article IV of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen”, each time they appear, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 52.  Said section 4-3 of said article IV of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the words “his/her”, each time they appear, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:-  the town administrator’s.
     SECTION 53.  Said section 4-3 of said article IV of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the words “him or her”, each time they appear, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:-  the town administrator.
     SECTION 54.  Paragraph (B) of said section 4-3 of said article IV of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “Selectmen”, the third time it appears, and inserting in place thereof the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 55.  Paragraph (H) of said section 4-3 of said article IV of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “Board”, the second time it appears, and inserting in place thereof the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 56.  Said paragraph (H) of said section 4-3 of said article IV of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “he or she” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-  the town administrator.
     SECTION 57.  Paragraph (I) of said section 4-3 of said article IV of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “Selectmen”, the second time it appears, and inserting in place thereof the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 58.  Said section 4-3 of said article IV of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the word “Selectmen’s”, each time it appears, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- select board’s.
     SECTION 59.  Subsection (D) of section 4-4 of said article IV 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 60.  The introductory paragraph of section 4-5 of said article IV 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 61.  Clause (A) of said section 4-5 of said article IV 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 62.  Said clause (A) of said section 4-5 of said article IV of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the word “Board”, the second time it appears, and inserting in place thereof the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 63.  Clause (B) of said section 4-5 of said article IV of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “Board”, each time it appears, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 64.  Clause (C) of said section 4-5 of said article IV 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 65.  Said clause (C) of said section 4-5 of said article IV of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the word “Board”, the second time it appears, and inserting in place thereof the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 66.  Clause (D) of said section 4-5 of said article IV 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 67.  Said clause (D) of said section 4-5 of said article IV of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the word “Board”, the second and third times it appears, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 68.  Clause (E) of said section 4-5 of said article IV of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “Board” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- select board.
     SECTION 69.  Clause (F) of said section 4-5 of said article IV of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “he or she”, each time they appear, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the town administrator.
     SECTION 70.  Said clause (F) of said section 4-5 of said article IV of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the words “his/her” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the town administrator’s.
     SECTION 71.  Said clause (F) of said section 4-5 of said article IV of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the word “Board” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 72.  Section 4-6 of said article IV of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen”, each time they appear, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 73.  Said section 4-6 of said article IV of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “Selectmen”, the third time it appears, and inserting in place thereof the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 74.  Said section 4-6 of said article IV of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the words “his/her”, each time they appear, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the town administrator’s.
     SECTION 75.  Section 5-1 of article V of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen”, each time they appear, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 76.  Said section 5-1 of said article V of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the word “Selectmen”, the fifth time it appears, and inserting in place thereof the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 77.  Section 5-2 of said article V of said charter hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 78.  Section 6-2 of article VI 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 79.  Said section 6-2 of said article VI of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the words “his/her” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the town administrator’s.
     SECTION 80.  Section 6-3 of said article VI of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 81.  Section 6-4 of said article VI 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 82.  Said section 6-4 of said article VI of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the words “his/her” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the town administrator’s.
     SECTION 83.  Section 6-7 of said article VI of said charter hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen”, each time they appear, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 84.  Section 6-8 of said article VI 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 85.  Subsection (A) of section 6-9 of said article VI 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 86.  Subsection (B) of said section 6-9 of said article VI of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 87.  Said subsection (B) of said section 6-9 of said article VI of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the words “they deem” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- that it deems.
     SECTION 88.  Section 6-10 of said article VI 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 89.  The first paragraph of section 7-6 of article VII of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “his/her” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- such elected officer’s.
     SECTION 90.  Paragraph (1) of subsection (A) of said section 7-6 of said article VII of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “his/her”, each time they appear, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the town clerk’s.
     SECTION 91.  Paragraph (2) of said subsection (A) of said section 7-6 of said article VII of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “he or she” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- such town meeting representative.
     SECTION 92.  Subsection (B) of said section 7-6 of said article VII of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “Selectmen”, each time it appears, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 93.  Paragraph (5) of said subsection (B) of said section 7-6 of said article VII of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “his/her” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- such officer’s.
     SECTION 94.  Paragraph (7) of said subsection (B) of said section 7-6 of said article VII of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “him or her” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- such person.
     SECTION 95.  The first paragraph of section 7-7 of said article VII of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “his or her” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- such officer’s or employee’s.
     SECTION 96.  Clause (B) of the fourth paragraph of said section 7-7 of said article VII of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “he or she” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-  such officer or employee.
     SECTION 97.  Clause (C) of said fourth paragraph of said section 7-7 of said article VII of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “him or her” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-  such officer or employee.
     SECTION 98.  Said section 7-7 of said article VII of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the words “his/her”, each time they appear, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:-  such officer’s or employee’s.
     SECTION 99.  Section 8-3 of article VIII of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “his/her”, each time they appear, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:-  such officer’s or employee’s.
     SECTION 100.  Subsection (D) of section 8-8 of said article VIII of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen”, each time they appear, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- select board.
     SECTION 101.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved, January 6, 2020.