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H 4245

An Act relative to the Mattapoisett select board

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

Expands Mattapoisett Select Board from 3 to 5 members, with an annually elected chair and staggered initial terms (3, 2, 1 years) to start the new system.

Signed by the Governor, Chapter 21 of the Acts of 2025
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Bill Summary · H 4245

Summary: H.4245 – An Act relative to the Mattapoisett select board (Chapter 21, Acts of 2025)

Overview

H.4245, titled “An Act relative to the Mattapoisett select board,” was introduced June 30, 2025 and ultimately enacted as Chapter 21 of the Acts of 2025. The Act increases the Mattapoisett Select Board from three to five members and establishes new initial and ongoing term lengths for board members. The measure includes a provision electing a chair from among the five members and takes effect upon passage.

What the bill does

  • Raises the size of Mattapoisett’s Select Board from 3 members to 5 members.
  • Requires the Board to elect a Chairperson annually from among its members.
  • Establishes initial term lengths for the first group of five elected under the new structure, with staggered terms:
    • At the first Annual Town Election after passage, three Board members shall be elected.
    • The candidate with the highest vote total receives a 3-year term.
    • The candidate with the second-highest vote total receives a 2-year term.
    • The candidate with the third-highest vote total receives a 1-year term.
  • Provides that, thereafter, new board members will be elected to standard 3-year terms as terms expire.
  • States that the act takes effect upon passage.

Provisions in detail

  • Section 1: Legislative authorization to expand the Select Board from three to five members; authorizes annual election of a Chair from among the five members.
  • Section 2: Sets the initial election framework at the first Annual Town Election after enactment, creating a three-seat, staggered-term system (3-year, 2-year, 1-year) to begin the new cycle; subsequent elections for successors to be 3-year terms.
  • Section 3: Clarifies that the act takes effect immediately upon passage (i.e., upon enactment).

Who/what is affected

  • The Town of Mattapoisett and its residents.
  • Mattapoisett Select Board, expanding governance capacity and altering board dynamics and election timing.
  • Town governance processes, including annual elections and leadership selection (chair).

Timeline and status

  • Introduced: June 30, 2025.
  • Legislative journey: Passed various readings and committee stages in mid-to-late July 2025, with further steps through August 2025.
  • Enacted and signed into law: August 21–22, 2025.
  • Local approval: The bill indicates local approval was received for the municipal change.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Governance: Five-member board likely broadens representational input and may affect decision-making dynamics and workload distribution.
  • Elections: Initial staggered terms create a mixed-term cycle; ongoing terms are fixed at three years.
  • Fiscal/administrative: While select boards are typically unpaid, more board members may affect meeting scheduling and administrative support requirements.
  • Local applicability: The changes apply specifically to Mattapoisett and do not alter statewide municipal governance structures.

Notes

  • The bill is a local approval measure, sponsored by Rep. Mark D. Sylvia and Sen. Mark C. Montigny, with local support indicated.

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

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