Bill
H 4057
Haverhill would expand its Board of Health from 3 to 5 members, appointed by the mayor with city council approval, altering local public-health governance and oversight.
A. Quick overview
- Title: An Act to authorize the mayor of the city of Haverhill to submit special legislation to increase the membership of the board of health from three members to five members.
- Introduced: April 24, 2025
- Purpose: Authorize Haverhill to expand its board of health from 3 to 5 members via special legislation, with appointment by the mayor and approval by the city council.
- Current status: Read second and ordered to a third reading (as of October 16, 2025). Earlier actions show passage/concurrence in various steps using standard local-approval processes.
B. What the bill would change
- Adds two new seats to the Haverhill Board of Health, increasing membership from three to five.
- The board would be appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city council (instead of the existing arrangement under local law).
C. Key provisions and mechanics
- Section 1: Notwithstanding section 26 of chapter 111 of the General Laws, Haverhill may increase the board of health from 3 to 5 members. Appointments remain with the mayor, subject to city council approval.
- Section 2: Term schedule for initial appointments after the act’s effective date
- January appointment: One member to a 3-year term, serving from the first Monday of the following February.
- January appointment: A second member to a 2-year term, serving from the first Monday of the following February.
- After these initial terms, future successors are appointed to 3-year terms as existing terms expire.
- Section 3: Clerical/editorial changes to the bill are allowed; the mayor may approve amendments within the scope of the public objectives.
- Section 4: The act takes effect upon passage.
D. Who is affected
- City of Haverhill, its Board of Health, the Mayor, and the City Council.
- Residents of Haverhill may indirectly be affected through changes in-board composition and governance of local public health policy and oversight.
E. Timeline and procedural notes
- Introduced/Filed: April 24, 2025 (House Docket No. 4057; accompanying bill noted as HD 4572 in related matter)
- Committee actions: Referred to Municipalities and Regional Government; hearing scheduled in June 2025 according to the docket.
- Legislative progress: Senate concurred on April 28, 2025; subsequent House readings and committee reporting indicate ongoing consideration.
- Effective date: Upon passage of the act.
F. Potential impacts and considerations
- Governance: A larger board may allow broader representation and deliberation on public health matters.
- Fiscal: The bill does not specify compensation or funding; potential cost implications would be determined by future budget actions for board operations.
- Local control: This is a targeted change via special legislation, requiring local approval processes (mayor and city council) and a specific procedural path in the General Court.
Note: This summary reflects the text and official actions listed for H.4057 and related materials.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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