S 2897

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 3534  FILED ON: 1/5/2026
  SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2897
  The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  _________________
  PRESENTED BY:
  Kelly A. Dooner and Norman J. Orrall
  _________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
        Court assembled:
        The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
 An Act authorizing the town of Berkley to increase the membership of the board of selectmen.
  _______________
  PETITION OF:
NAME:  DISTRICT/ADDRESS:
Kelly A. Dooner  Third Bristol and Plymouth
Norman J. Orrall  12th Bristol  1/5/2026
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  SENATE DOCKET, NO. 3534  FILED ON: 1/5/2026
       SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2897
     By Mrs. Dooner and Mr. Orrall of Lakeville, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No.
     2897) of Kelly A. Dooner and Norman J. Orrall (by vote of the town) for legislation to authorize
     the town of Berkley to increase the membership of the board of selectmen. Municipalities and
     Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]
  The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  _______________
  In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
  (2025-2026)
  _______________
     An Act authorizing the town of Berkley to increase the membership of the board of selectmen.
  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
     of the same, as follows:
 1  SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the board of
 2   selectmen of the town of Berkley shall consist of 5 members. Each selectman shall serve for a
 3   three-year term.
 4  SECTION 2. At the first annual town election following not less than 64 days after the
 5   effective date of this section, the town shall elect 2 members in addition to the 1 member
 6   otherwise to be elected. The 2 new seats shall be contested separately from the expiring office,
 7   with the candidate receiving the highest number of votes to serve a term of 3 years and the
 8   candidate receiving the second highest number of votes to serve a term of 2 years. Thereafter, all
 9   members of the board of selectmen shall serve terms of 3 years. Selectmen in office on the
10   effective date of this act shall serve until the expiration of their terms.
11  SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
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