{"AmendmentNumber":"1","ParentBillNumber":"H3913","Bill":{"BillNumber":"H4459","DocketNumber":null,"Title":"An Act amending the charter of the town of Seekonk","PrimarySponsor":{"Id":"TJW1","Name":"Thomas P. Walsh","Type":1,"Details":"https://malegislature.gov/api/GeneralCourts/194/LegislativeMembers/TJW1","ResponseDate":"2025-08-28T10:06:31.803"},"Cosponsors":[{"Id":"TJW1","Name":"Thomas P. Walsh","Type":1,"Details":"https://malegislature.gov/api/GeneralCourts/194/LegislativeMembers/TJW1","ResponseDate":"2025-08-28T10:06:31.8033333"},{"Id":"SSH1","Name":"Steven S. Howitt","Type":1,"Details":"https://malegislature.gov/api/GeneralCourts/194/LegislativeMembers/SSH1","ResponseDate":"2025-02-20T11:08:59.2833333"}],"JointSponsor":null,"GeneralCourtNumber":194,"Details":"https://malegislature.gov/api/GeneralCourts/194/Documents/H4459","IsDocketBookOnly":false},"Sponsor":{"Id":"TJW1","Name":"Thomas P. Walsh","Type":1,"Details":"https://malegislature.gov/api/GeneralCourts/194/LegislativeMembers/TJW1","ResponseDate":"2025-08-28T10:06:31.803"},"Category":null,"Action":"Adopted","RollCall":[],"Title":"An Act amending the charter of the town of Seekonk","Branch":"House","RedraftNumber":null,"IsFurther":false,"GeneralCourtNumber":194,"Text":"\tSECTION 1. Section 2 of article 1 of the charter of the town of Seekonk, 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.\t\r\n\tSECTION 2. Section 5 of said article 1 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out in the definition of “Resolution” the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\t\r\n\tSECTION 3. Subclause (A) of the second paragraph of section 5 of article 2 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 4. The first paragraph of section 6 of said article 2 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 5. The second paragraph of said section 6 of said article 2 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 6. The third paragraph of section 7 of said article 2 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 7. Section 3 of article 3 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 8. Section 5 of said article 3 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “himself” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- themself. \r\n\tSECTION 9. Subclause (A) of the first paragraph of section 1 of article 4 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 10.\tThe first sentence of section 3 of said article 4 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 11.\tArticle 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the title “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following title:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 12.\tThe first paragraph of section 1 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 13.\tThe second paragraph of said section 1 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 14.\tThe third paragraph of said section 1 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 15.\tThe first paragraph of section 2 of said article 5 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.\r\n\tSECTION 16.\tThe second sentence of said first paragraph of said section 2 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Boards of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Boards.\r\n\tSECTION 17.\tThe second paragraph of said section 2 of said article 5 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.\r\n\tSECTION 18.\tThe first sentence of section 3 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 19.\tSubsection (A) of said section 3 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 20.\tSubsection (B) of said section 3 of said article 5 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.\r\n\tSECTION 21.\tThe first paragraph of subsection (C) of said section 3 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 22.\tThe second paragraph of said subsection (C) of said section 3 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the Town Administrator’s.\r\n\tSECTION 23.\tSection 4 of said article 5 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 24.\tThe second sentence of section 1 of article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 25.\tThe second sentence of the first paragraph of section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 26.\tThe second sentence of the second paragraph of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board. \r\n\tSECTION 27.\tSaid second sentence of said second paragraph of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the Town Administrator’s.\t\r\n\tSECTION 28.\tSaid second paragraph of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out subsection (A) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-\r\n\t(A) The Town Administrator shall supervise, direct and be responsible for the efficient administration of all functions under the Town Administrator’s control, as may be authorized by the Charter, by-law, town meeting vote or by the vote of the Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 29.\tSaid second paragraph of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out subsection (B) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-\r\n\t(B) The Town Administrator shall attend all regular and special meetings of the Select Board, unless excused. The Town Administrator shall have a voice, but no vote, in all of the Board's discussions.\r\n\tSECTION 30.\tSaid second paragraph of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby further amended by striking subsection (C) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:- \r\n\t(C) The Town Administrator shall attend all sessions of the town meeting and answer all questions concerning warrant articles that are directed to the Town Administrator and that relate to matters under their general supervision.\r\n\tSECTION 31.\tSaid second paragraph of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out subsection (D) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-\r\n\t(D) The Town Administrator shall see that all provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, this Charter, town by-laws and votes of the town meeting and the Select Board which require enforcement by the Town Administrator or officers or employees subject to their direction and supervision, are faithfully carried out and performed.\r\n\tSECTION 32.\tSaid second paragraph of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out subsection (F) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:- \r\n\t(F) The Town Administrator shall keep the Select Board and the Finance Committee fully informed as to the financial condition and needs of the Town, and shall make such recommendations to the Select Board for actions to be taken as the Town Administrator deems to be necessary, advisable or expedient.\r\n\tSECTION 33.\tSubsection (G) of said second paragraph of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 34.\tSaid second paragraph said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out subsection (H) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:- \r\n\t(H) The Town Administrator may at any time inquire into the conduct of any office or any town officer, employee and department or agency under the Town Administrator’s jurisdiction and control.\r\n\tSECTION 35.\tSaid second paragraph of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out subsection (I) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:- \r\n\t(I) The Town Administrator shall be responsible for the negotiation of all contracts involving any subject within the Town Administrator’s jurisdiction. All such contracts as may be proposed by the Town Administrator shall be subject to final approval and execution by the Select Board. The Select Board may authorize the Town Administrator to execute any such approved contract on behalf of the Town. The Town Administrator shall be included in the negotiations for the School Department to the extent required by statute.\r\n\tSECTION 36.\tSubsection (J) of said second paragraph of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the second sentence and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:- The Town Administrator shall, in conjunction with that Board, prepare and maintain a plan establishing the personnel staffing requirements for each town agency or department within the Town Administrator’s jurisdiction. \r\n\tSECTION 37.\tSaid second paragraph of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out subsection (K) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:- \r\n\t(K) The Town Administrator shall be the Chief Procurement Officer for the Town and be responsible for the purchase of all common-use supplies, materials and equipment for the Town, to the extent permitted by state law, excepting books and other educational materials for schools and books and other medial materials for the libraries. The Town Administrator shall approve the award of all contracts for all town departments with the exception of the School Department, subject to the approval of the Select Board.  \r\n\tSECTION 38.\tSaid second paragraph of said section 2 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out subsection (L) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:- \r\n\t(L) The Town Administrator shall perform any other duties required of them under this Charter, the Town of Seekonk by-laws, town meeting vote or a vote of the Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 39.\tThe first paragraph of section 3 of said article 6 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.\r\n\tSECTION 40.\tSection 4 of said article 6 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.\r\n\tSECTION 41.\tThe first sentence of section 5 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 42.\tSubsection (A) of said section 5 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following  words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 43.\tSaid section 5 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out subsection (B) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:- \r\n\t(B) Within 5 days of receipt of the Board’s preliminary resolution, the Town Administrator may request a public hearing by filing a written request for such a hearing with the Select Board. Thereafter, a public hearing shall be held not more than 30 days after the request is filed, nor sooner than 20 days after the filing of the request. The Town Administrator may file a written statement in justification of their tenure in office with the Select Board; provided, that any such statement is received by the Board not more than 48 hours in advance of the public hearing.\r\n\tSECTION 44.\tSaid section 5 of said article 6 of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out subsection (C) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:- \r\n\t(C) The Select Board may adopt a final resolution of removal, which may be made effective immediately, by affirmative vote of the majority of the full Board, at any time after 10 days following the date of delivery of a copy of the preliminary resolution to the Town Administrator, if the Town Administrator has not requested a public hearing, or at any time after the public hearing if they have requested one. Within 10 days following the vote to make the preliminary resolution final, but in no event more than 45 days following the date of adoption of the preliminary resolution, the Select Board shall, by a majority vote of the full Board, either affirm or deny the final resolution of removal. Failure to affirm a final resolution of removal shall nullify the vote to remove the Town Administrator.\r\n\tSECTION 45.\tThe second sentence of subsection (D) of said section 5 of said article 6 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.\r\n\tSECTION 46.\tThe first paragraph of section 6 of said article 6 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.\r\n\tSECTION 47.\tThe second paragraph of said section 6 of said article 6 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.\r\n\tSECTION 48.\tThe fourth paragraph of said section 6 of said article 6 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.\r\n\tSECTION 49.\tSection 1 of article 7 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.\r\n\tSECTION 50.\tSaid section 1 of said article 7 of said charter is hereby further amended by striking out the word “He”, each time it appears, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- The Director of Finance.\r\n\tSECTION 51. Section 3 of said article 7 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.\r\n\tSECTION 52.\tThe second sentence of section 4 of said article 7 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 53.\tThe first paragraph of section 5 of said article 7 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 54.\tSubsection (G) of the third paragraph of said section 5 of said article 7 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 55.\tThe first paragraph of section 6 of said article 7 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 56.\tThe second paragraph of said section 6 of said article 7 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 57.\tThe first sentence of the first paragraph of section 7 of said article 7 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 58.\tThe second sentence of section 1 of article 8 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 59.\tThe second sentence of section 5 of said article 8 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words “Board of Selectmen” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Select Board.\r\n\tSECTION 60. Section 9 of said article 8 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the appointee’s.\t\r\n\tSECTION 61.\tSection 10 of said article 8 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- their.\r\n\tSECTION 62.\tSection 11 of said article 8 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.\r\n\tSECTION 63.\tSection 2 of article 9 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the second sentence and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:- Except as may otherwise be provided by this Charter, no regular full-time or part-time employee of the Town shall forfeit their pay grade or longevity as a result of the adoption of this Charter.\r\n\tSECTION 64.\tThis act shall take effect upon its passage.\r\n"}