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HD 5243

An Act changing the board of selectmen in the town of Boylston to select board

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Robyn Kennedy and 1 co-sponsor

Renames Boylston’s executive body to Select Board, with members named Select Board Members and Chair to Chair, and allows by-law updates to reflect the new terminology.

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Bill Summary · HD 5243

Summary: HD 5243 — An Act changing the board of selectmen in the town of Boylston to select board

Overview

HD 5243 is a local, municipal bill proposed in the 2025-2026 Massachusetts General Court. Its core purpose is to rename Boylston’s executive town body and its members, and to authorize by-law edits to reflect that change. The bill is presented as a local measure with earlier local approval noted.

  • Bill number: HD 5243 (House Docket No. 5243)
  • Title: An Act changing the board of selectmen in the town of Boylston to select board
  • Introduced: November 29, 2025
  • Filed: October 15, 2025
  • Authors: Representative Meghan K. Kilcoyne and Senator Robyn K. Kennedy
  • Status: Local approval received (per bill text)

What the bill would do

  • Rename the executive town body:
    • “Board of Selectmen” becomes “Select Board.”
    • “Selectmen” becomes “Select Board Members.”
    • “Chairman” becomes “Chair.”
  • Allow the town to amend its general by-laws and zoning by-laws to reflect the new terminology by a majority vote.
    • This authority applies notwithstanding certain provisions of the General Laws (e.g., sections 21 and 32 of Chapter 40, and Section 5 of Chapter 40A) or any other law.
  • The changes would apply to all references within local by-laws to the board, its members, and its chair, aligning terminology with the new nomenclature.

Key provisions (in brief)

  • Section 1: Formal rename of the executive body and its leadership in Boylston; the town’s executive body would be known as the Select Board, with members as Select Board Members and the leader as Chair.
  • Section 2: The Select Board may revise all references in general by-laws and zoning by-laws to reflect the new terminology by majority vote, overriding conflicting language in specified sections of the General Laws.
  • Section 3: The act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

  • The town of Boylston and its residents, town officials, and staff.
  • Town by-law drafters and municipal lawyers who would implement the terminology changes in official documents, forms, signage, and records.
  • No substantive changes to powers, duties, or governance structure—only terminology and internal references.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced: November 29, 2025.
  • Filed: October 15, 2025 (House No. 4621 referenced with the accompanying bill).
  • Status indicates local approval has been received.
  • Effective date: Upon passage (no separate transition period stated).

Potential implications

  • Administrative updating of town documents, websites, forms, stationery, and signage to reflect the new terminology.
  • Consistency across ordinances, zoning bylaws, and meeting minutes with minimal disruption to governance operations.
  • No changes to the Board’s authority, terms, or number of members; primarily a naming and reference-update measure.

This summary focuses on the substantive change (terminology update) and its practical impact on local governance in Boylston.

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

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