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HD 4790

An Act changing the term of the elected office of moderator in the town of Holden

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kim Ferguson

Holden moderator term extended to three years, with transition for the current incumbent; duties to appoint the finance committee and board of appeals remain unless by-law changes.

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Bill Summary · HD 4790

Summary: An Act changing the term of the elected office of moderator in the town of Holden (HD 4790)

Overview

This bill proposes to standardize and extend the term of the town of Holden’s elected moderator to three years, replacing the prior term length. It includes a transitional provision for current officeholders and specifies that existing town officers and appointments remain as provided in local by-laws.

What the bill would do

  • Change the moderator’s term to three years. After acceptance, the moderator would be elected to a three-year term at the first annual town election and then in annual elections thereafter, unless the town by-law provides otherwise.
  • Retain current moderator duties related to appointing the finance committee and the board of appeals, subject to by-law provisions.
  • Preserve the election of other town officials: selectmen, district school committee, and trustees of Damon Memorial, at the first annual town election after acceptance and in annual cycles thereafter.
  • Provide a transition for the current moderator: the elected incumbent would continue in office for the remainder of their current term or until resignation, retirement, or removal, after which the three-year term would apply.

Key provisions and language (highlights)

  • Section 1: Amends Holden’s Town Charter to set a three-year term for the moderator beginning at the first annual Town Election after the act’s acceptance; moderator duties to continue to include appointing the finance committee and board of appeals unless by-law says otherwise.
  • Section 2: Transitional provision states the incumbent moderator will serve the remainder of their current term (or until resignation/removal) and thereafter the moderator will serve three-year terms.
  • Section 3: Act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

  • Holden residents eligible to vote for the moderator (i.e., registered voters in Holden) will elect a moderator to a three-year term moving forward.
  • The incumbent moderator gains a transitional period before the three-year cycle begins.
  • Other elected officials in Holden (selectmen, district school committee, trustees of Damon Memorial) continue to be elected in annual town elections, as currently structured.
  • The moderator’s role in appointing the finance committee and board of appeals remains, subject to future by-law provisions.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Filed: June 3, 2025 (House Docket No. 4211); Local approval indicated.
  • The act is described as taking effect upon passage.
  • Once enacted, the moderator term change would apply beginning at the first annual town election after acceptance, with the transitional provision guiding the incumbent’s service period.

Potential impact

  • Aligns Holden’s moderator term with a three-year cycle, potentially reducing the frequency of moderator elections.
  • Creates a clear transition path for current officeholders while establishing a longer-term framework for future elections and appointments.

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

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