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H 4236

Anna Mary Furtick Rivers 100th Birthday

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 121 co-sponsors

Allows Northfield to keep fire chief Floyd Dunnell III past usual limits through Aug 13, 2026 (or retirement/non-reappointment), pending medical fitness and town evaluation.

Introduced and adopted
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Bill Summary · H 4236

Summary of H.4236: An Act authorizing the town of Northfield to continue the employment of Floyd Dunnell, III

Purpose and intent

  • The bill allows the Town of Northfield to continue employing Floyd Dunnell III as its fire chief beyond the standard age limits, through August 13, 2026 (when he would reach age 73) or until retirement or non-reappointment, whichever occurs first.
  • The goal is to permit a continued tenure for leadership in Northfield’s fire department, subject to medical and administrative safeguards.

Key provisions

  • Notwithstanding any general or special law, Floyd Dunnell III may remain in the position of fire chief until:
    • August 13, 2026 (age 73), or
    • his retirement, or
    • non-reappointment, whichever occurs first.
  • Qualifications and safeguards:
    • Dunnell must be mentally and physically capable of performing the duties of the office.
    • The town must, at its expense, have Dunnell examined by an impartial physician designated by the town to determine capability.
    • No deductions from Dunnell’s regular compensation shall be made under Chapter 32 of the General Laws for retirement or pension purposes during the extended period.
  • Effective date: The act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Floyd Dunnell III (fire chief) and the Town of Northfield (local government)
  • Implications for public safety leadership continuity and any corresponding payroll/pension interactions under state law.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: June 23, 2025
  • Legislative actions:
    • June 23, 2025: Referred to the Committee on Public Service
    • June 26, 2025: Senate concurred
    • Hearing on the bill was rescheduled for September 10, 2025
    • Updated hearing details indicate a shift from an earlier 1:00 PM–1:30 PM (A-1 and virtual) to a broader 1:00 PM–4:00 PM window on Sept. 10, 2025, in A-1
  • Related bill: HD 4837 (the same measure or a closely related filing), with HD 4837 noted as a related/replace option

Potential impact and considerations

  • Local option authority: This bill represents a local option to extend service beyond the typical age and tenure rules for municipal employees, subject to medical clearance and town-designated impartial evaluation.
  • Fiscal considerations: The town bears the cost of the medical examination; pension deductions are explicitly not authorized for the extended period.
  • Administrative process: Requires ongoing compliance with medical clearance and the absence of pension deductions during the extension period.

Takeaway

H.4236 would permit Northfield to retain its fire chief beyond the usual age and tenure limits through August 2026 (or until retirement/non-reappointment), contingent on medical fitness and town-chosen evaluation, with no pension withholding tied to the extension. The bill is set for a state hearing in September 2025 and reflects local approval processes.

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

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