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HD 1100

An Act authorizing the town of Avon to appoint a town clerk

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Brady and 1 co-sponsor

Authorizes Avon to replace Town Clerk elections with an appointed clerk chosen by the Select Board for a 3-year term, transitioning from the current clerk's term.

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Bill Summary · HD 1100

Summary: House Docket No. 1100 — An Act authorizing the town of Avon to appoint a town clerk

Overview

This Massachusetts bill would shift Avon’s Town Clerk position from elective to appointment by the Town’s Select Board, with a transitional framework to protect the current elected clerk and to specify a three-year appointment term going forward. The act would amend Avon’s Town Charter accordingly and take effect upon passage.

Purpose and intent

  • To authorize Avon to appoint a Town Clerk (instead of electing one) and to establish a three-year appointment term.
  • To provide a clear transition path from the current elected Town Clerk to an appointed system, ensuring continuity of municipal operations during and after the transition.

Key provisions

  • Section 1 — Transitional arrangement for the current elected clerk:

    • The incumbent elected Town Clerk shall continue to serve for the term for which she was elected.
    • During that term, the Clerk shall be subject to the call of the appointing authority as described in Avon’s Town Charter.
    • At the expiration of the elected term, the elected office shall be abolished.
    • The elected incumbent who holds office on the effective date of this act shall become the first appointed clerk under the Act.
    • If the elected incumbent leaves office before the term’s end, the elected position shall be abolished and the vacancy filled according to appointing procedures in the Town Charter.

  • Section 2 — Charter amendment on appointment and term:

    • The Town Charter shall be amended to replace the current “Term of Office” language with: “Appointment, Term of Office - There shall be a town clerk, appointed by the Select Board, to serve for a term of three years.”

  • Section 3 — Effective date:

    • The act shall take effect upon its passage.

Who is affected

  • The Town Clerk position in Avon and its current elected Clerk.
  • Avon’s municipal governance structure, specifically the Select Board as the appointing authority.
  • Avon’s Town Charter, which would be amended to reflect appointment rather than election and a three-year term.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Local approval for the bill has been recorded (as indicated by “Local Approval Received” in the docket).
  • The act would take effect upon passage.
  • The transition plan hinges on the current Clerk’s term dates; after expiration, the position becomes an appointed role for a three-year term, with vacancies filled per the Charter’s appointing procedures.

Potential impact

  • Governance: Shifts the Clerk’s selection from voter election to appointment by the Select Board, which may affect accountability dynamics and appointment criteria.
  • Continuity: The transitional provisions aim to minimize disruption by allowing the current Clerk to complete their term before the transition to appointment.
  • Charter changes: Requires updating Avon’s Town Charter to codify appointment of the Clerk and the three-year term.

This summary reflects the bill’s text and stated transitional framework.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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