An Act relative to the Lanesborough Select Board

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by John Barrett

Lanesborough expands the Select Board from 3 to 5; initial election sets terms: 3-year, 2-year, 1-year for the top 3 vote-getters, then all future terms are 3 years.

Signed by the Governor, Chapter 51 of the Acts of 2025

Comprehensive Summary: H.4056 — An Act relative to the Lanesborough Select Board

Overview

Bill: H 4056

Title: An Act relative to the Lanesborough Select Board

Status: Signed into law by the Governor; Chapter 51 of the Acts of 2025

Introduced: April 24, 2025

Purpose: To alter the composition and election terms of the Lanesborough Select Board, increasing its size and formalizing initial term lengths and future terms.

What the bill does (Key Provisions)

Expansion of the Select Board

Section 1: Increases the number of Select Board members for the town of Lanesborough from three (3) to five (5).
The Board will annually elect a chairperson from among its members following the Town Election.

Initial and Subsequent Term Structure

Section 2: At the first Annual Town Election after the act’s passage, three (3) members will be elected.
The candidate with the most votes will serve a 3-year term.
The candidate with the second-most votes will serve a 2-year term.
The candidate with the third-most votes will serve a 1-year term.
After these initial terms, all future Select Board members will be elected to 3-year terms as terms expire.

Effective Date

Section 3: The act shall take effect upon passage (i.e., upon enactment into law).

Who/What is Affected

Primary Affected Entity: The Town of Lanesborough and its governance structure.

Governing Body: Lanesborough Select Board (increases from 3 to 5 members; annual chair election).

Constituents: Lanesborough residents, by virtue of electing a larger, five-member board and receiving the changes in governance dynamics.

Timelines and Procedural Context

The bill was introduced in 2025 and progressed through the 2025-2026 Massachusetts General Court session.

It was enacted and signed into law in late October 2025 and published as Chapter 51 of the Acts of 2025.

The first elections to implement the change would occur at the first Annual Town Election after enactment, with initial three-seat results determining the initial 3-, 2-, and 1-year terms, and thereafter three-year terms for succeeding members.

Additional Notes

The act explicitly states, “Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary,” to ensure the five-member structure applies to Lanesborough regardless of other statutory frameworks.

The bill was introduced as a local petition (House Docket No. 4507) and carried a local-approval track (“Local Approval Received”).

Related bill notation: HD 4507 is the replaces-version referenced in the metadata.

Practical Implications

The town gains expanded representation and potentially broader perspective on local governance.

Administrative and operational considerations may include adjustments to meeting logistics, quorum, and board dynamics with five members.

The absence of explicit compensation or funding changes in the text suggests standard municipal compensation practices would apply unless updated by local bylaws or subsequent acts.