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H 4524

An Act changing the name of the board of selectmen in the town of Williamsburg to select board

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Mark and 1 co-sponsor

Rename Williamsburg's executive body from 'board of selectmen' to 'select board' while preserving all powers; by-laws will be updated to use the new term.

Read; and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session
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Bill Summary · H 4524

Summary of H 4524: An Act changing the name of the board of selectmen in the town of Williamsburg to select board

Overview

H 4524, introduced on September 15, 2025, would rename Williamsburg’s executive governing body from “board of selectmen” to “select board,” and would update related terminology in the town’s by-laws. The bill states the select board would retain all powers of a board of selectmen under general or special laws. The act would take effect upon passage.

Purpose and intent

  • Modernize terminology for Williamsburg’s town government by changing the official name of the executive board and its members.
  • Preserve existing powers and duties by continuing to operate under current state law, simply with new nomenclature.
  • Allow the town to update its general and zoning by-laws to reflect the new terminology.

Key provisions

  • Section 1: Renames the executive body

    • The executive body of Williamsburg formerly known as the board of selectmen shall be known as the “select board.”
    • Members formerly known as “selectmen” shall be known as “select board members.”
    • The select board would have the same powers and authority as a board of selectmen under any general or special law.

  • Section 2: By-law revisions

    • The select board may amend the town’s general by-laws and zoning by-laws by majority vote to replace references to the “board of selectmen” and “selectmen” with “select board” and “select board members,” in accordance with Section 1.
    • This section operates notwithstanding other General Laws (i.e., it explicitly permits these revisions even if other laws would otherwise constrain them).

  • Section 3: Effective date

    • The act shall take effect upon passage.

Who or what is affected

  • The town of Williamsburg and its executive governing body.
  • Town governing documents, including general by-laws and zoning by-laws, to the extent amended to reflect the new terminology.
  • Local residents and town staff who interact with the town government’s leadership.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Status: Read and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session.
  • Introduced: September 15, 2025.
  • Roll-through: The bill progressed through standard readings and committee processes, including a hearing (September 23, 2025) and a favorable committee report (October 14, 2025).
  • As of November 13, 2025, the bill was read and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session, indicating it has not yet become law.
  • Local approval: The petition notes “Local Approval Received,” signaling local support from Williamsburg.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Administrative: Williamsburg would need to update town signage, official documents, website, stationery, and records to reflect the new terminology.
  • Legal compliance: The rename does not alter powers or responsibilities, only terminology; existing laws governing boards of selectmen continue to apply under the new name.
  • Fiscal considerations: The bill does not specify funding needs; expected costs would be limited to routine by-law updates and administrative changes.

Notes

  • Related bill reference: HD 4911 is listed as replacing this measure in the docket context.
  • This is a locally focused change, affecting only the town of Williamsburg with respect to naming conventions.

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

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