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H 4385

An Act relative to the town charter of the town of Plainville

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Marcus Vaughn

Allows up to two associate/alternate members per multi-member Plainville body for one-year terms to participate and temporarily fill in, excluding the school committee and housing

Hearing scheduled for 09/23/2025 from 02:00 PM-02:00 PM in Written Testimony Only
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Bill Summary · H 4385

Summary of H 4385: An Act relative to the town charter of the town of Plainville

Overview

H 4385 proposes a local charter amendment for the Town of Plainville to modify how multi-member town bodies can include associate or alternate members. The change is intended to provide more flexible staffing and temporary continuity for deliberative bodies, with a specific exclusion for the school committee and the housing authority.

Key Provisions

  • New authority for associate/alternate members. The select board would be authorized to appoint not more than two associate or alternate members to each multi-member body elected under Plainville’s charter, with the exceptions of the school committee and the housing authority (or as otherwise allowed by General Laws).
  • Term length. Associate/alternate members would be appointed for a term of 1 year.
  • Participation. These associate/alternate members may participate in any and all matters pending before the respective multi-member body.
  • Temporary substitution. The chair of each multi-member body may designate an associate or alternate member to temporarily sit as a full member if a regular member is absent, unable to act, has a conflict of interest, or if there is a vacancy.
  • Overriding authority. The provision begins with a declaration that, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, this local authority applies to Plainville’s charter.

Affected Parties

  • Primary beneficiaries: Plainville’s select board and the town’s multi-member bodies (e.g., boards and committees governed by the charter, excluding the school committee and housing authority).
  • Not affected: School committee and housing authority, which are explicitly excluded from this authority.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Filed and introduced: Filed July 29, 2025; House Docket No. 4385, introduced by Rep. Marcus S. Vaughn (9th Norfolk).
  • Committee action: Referred to the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government on August 7, 2025.
  • Senate action: Senate concurred on August 11, 2025.
  • Hearing: Scheduled for September 23, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 2:00 PM, with testimony to be written only (Written Testimony Only).
  • Related bill/version: HD 4972 is noted as replacing this measure.

Potential Impacts

  • Governance flexibility: Increases continuity and administrative flexibility for multi-member bodies by enabling up to two associates/alternates per body and a mechanism for temporary full-member designation.
  • Operational considerations: May affect meeting dynamics and quorum management, and could influence where and how long business can proceed if regular members are unavailable.
  • Fiscal impact: No explicit fiscal impact is stated in the bill text; typical costs would involve stipends, if any, for additional members and administrative processing, subject to local appropriation.

Notes for Readers

  • The bill amends Section C-5-2 of Plainville’s Town Charter.
  • The language emphasizes a local override with respect to associate/alternate appointments, within the constraints of the charter and general laws.

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

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