Local legislation regarding the Town Manager signed into law
BOSTON – Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury) and Representative David K. Muradian, Jr. (R-Grafton) announced that Governor Charlie Baker recently signed a bill into law relative to the Upton Town Manager. The bill, H.4989, was filed by both legislators in response to a vote taken by local residents during the Special Town Meeting on November 13, 2018.
The provisions of this bill amend existing laws relative to the hiring and responsibilities of the Upton Town Manager. Among the changes include increasing the term length of the hiring contract for the Town Manager from three years to five years. Additionally, the bill seeks to clarify the roles of the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen relative to employee discipline.
“I’m proud to have co-filed and ushered through this bill on behalf of the residents of Upton,” said Senator Moore. “The legislative changes will promote efficiencies in local governance and clarify certain responsibilities of the Town Manager as requested by local residents through Special Town Meeting.”
“This bill puts into place the proper tools needed to ensure continued efficient operating procedure within our town government," stated Representative Muradian. “Our residents deserve and rely on accountable local officials, and this bill puts into place the proper mechanisms to ensure we continue to carry out our best-practices. I am happy that both Senator Moore and I were able to usher this bill through the legislative process efficiently before the end of the session, and look forward to continue working for the good people of the town of Upton.”
“This bill will ensure that the town has the tools necessary to maintain consistent, effective and efficient government operations as our residents have grown to expect,” said Gary Daugherty, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. “On behalf of the Board of Selectmen, I would like to thank Senator Moore and Representative Muradian for their hard work and commitment to the people of the Town of Upton.”
The provisions of the bill reflect legislative changes recommended by the Town Manager’s Act Review Committee formed by the Board of Selectmen in April 2017. The Committee, which consisted of nine members who reside in the community, was charged with reviewing Chapter 391 of the Acts of 2008 which establishes the position of Town Manager in the community. These recent changes also complement legislative changes made last year to update then-existing laws regarding the selection of the Upton Town Manager. These earlier changes were signed into law as Chapter 110 of the Acts of 2018 in June of last year.
To view the new law, codified as Chapter 380 of the Acts of 2018, please visit the Legislature’s website by clicking below.