AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A TOWN ADMINISTRATOR IN THE TOWN OF HOPEDALE
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 select board of the town of Hopedale shall appoint a town administrator whose compensation and benefits are to be determined through a contract entered into pursuant to section 108N of chapter 41 of the General Laws.
SECTION 2. Notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary, the town administrator shall be appointed solely on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications and shall be a person of proven ability and previous experience in municipal administration consistent with the expected performance of the duties of the office. Such person shall devote full time to the office and shall not hold any other public office, elective or appointive, or engage in any other business, occupation or profession during the term of office that would impede full-time devotion to their duties during normal working hours. The town may, from time to time, through by-law, establish such additional qualifications as it deems necessary and appropriate.
SECTION 3. The town administrator shall be the chief administrative officer of the town of Hopedale and shall have the following powers and duties:
(i) be responsible to the select board for the efficient administration and coordination of all matters that come under the jurisdiction of the select board;
(ii) implement all policies, directives and votes of the select board;
(iii) have access to all town books, papers and records for information necessary for the proper performance of their duties;
(iv) administer the personnel policies and by-laws of the town;
(v) prepare the annual budget for all town agencies under the jurisdiction of the select board;
(vi) prepare and format a uniform budget document for all departments and agencies of the town for presentation to the select board and develop and update an annual capital improvement program;
(vii) keep the select board informed as to the financial needs of the town and make such recommendations to the select board as they deem necessary or expedient;
(viii) review all current by-laws, regulations and policies that affect the departments and agencies of the town and make such recommendations for changes as they deem necessary;
(ix) see that all provisions of General Laws, by-laws and votes of the town meeting and of the select board that require enforcement, direction and supervision of the town administrator's office are faithfully carried out, performed and executed;
(x) approve the purchase of supplies, materials and equipment, except for books and educational materials for schools and books and other media for libraries, and approve the award of all contracts for all departments, boards or agencies of the town;
(xi) negotiate all contracts that the select board is authorized by law to enter into; provided, however, that such contracts shall be subject to final approval and execution by the select board;
(xii) seek and evaluate candidates for all jobs or positions subject to appointment by the select board, other than the town administrator, town counsel or positions filled pursuant to chapter 31 of the General Laws; provided, however, that the town administrator shall submit to the select board a list of 3 names or fewer if less than 3 applicants, for each such appointment, ranked in order of their preference and the select board may fill such positions only from such list;
(xiii) establish compensation packages for all town officers and employees appointed by the town administrator with the limits established by existing appropriation, by-law or collective bargaining agreement;
(xiv) recommend any reorganization changes in town government to the select board, including consolidation or abolishment of municipal departments, boards, agencies or other branches of town government, which reorganization changes may ultimately be within the jurisdiction of the select board or town meeting as to approval and implementation;
(xv) administer the municipal insurance programs;
(xvi) attend all regular and special meetings of the select board, unless requested and allowed to be excused, and shall have a voice, but no vote, in all of its discussions;
(xvii) attend all sessions of the town meeting and shall be available to answer all questions concerning matters before the town meeting which are directed to the office and relate to matters under their general jurisdiction; provided, however, that notwithstanding the residence of the town administrator, the town administrator shall be permitted to speak at any town meeting on any matter before said town meeting;
(xviii) at any time have the right to inquire into the conduct in office of any officer or employee or department, board or commission under the jurisdiction of their office or that of the select board; and
(xix) perform any other lawful duties required by by-law or by majority vote of the select board.
SECTION 4. The select board, by affirmative vote of not less than a majority of its elected members, may, for good cause, remove the town administrator from office, in accordance with any requirements and procedures of their contract pursuant to section 108N of chapter 41 of the General Laws. The town administrator shall, at a minimum, be given due written notice of the causes for removal and shall be given a due process hearing, public or private, at the option of the town administrator, with a full opportunity to be heard.
SECTION 5. If the office of town administrator is vacant because of death, removal, resignation or otherwise, or if the town administrator is on extended leave of absence, the select board may, by affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the elected select board members, appoint a suitable person to serve as temporary town administrator. Such temporary appointment shall not exceed 3 months, but 1 renewal of such temporary appointment not to exceed 3 months may be so voted. The temporary town administrator shall receive compensation as set by the affirmative vote of the select board but shall not exceed the rate of compensation approved for the town administrator on leave or otherwise unavailable.
SECTION 6. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved, May 14, 2026.