H 5435

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 6136  FILED ON: 5/13/2026
 HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 5435
  The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  _________________
  PRESENTED BY:
  Kristin E. Kassner and Sally P. Kerans
  _________________
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 Topsfield to continue to employment of police chief Neal Hovey.
  _______________
  PETITION OF:
NAME:  DISTRICT/ADDRESS:  DATE ADDED:
Kristin E. Kassner  2nd Essex  5/13/2026
Sally P. Kerans  13th Essex  5/13/2026
Bruce E. Tarr  First Essex and Middlesex  5/13/2026
  1 of 1
  HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 6136  FILED ON: 5/13/2026
      HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 5435
     By Representatives Kassner of Hamilton and Kerans of Danvers, a petition (accompanied by bill,
     House, No. 5435) of Kristin E. Kassner, Sally P. Kerans and Bruce E. Tarr (by vote of the town)
     that the town of Topsfield be authorized to continue to employment of police chief Neal Hovey.
     Public Service. [Local Approval Received.]
  The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  _______________
  In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
  (2025-2026)
  _______________
     An Act authorizing the town of Topsfield to continue to employment of police chief Neal Hovey.
  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, Neal Hovey,
 2   chief of the police department of the town of Topsfield, may continue to serve in such position
 3   until he reaches the age of 68, or the date of his retirement, the date he is relieved of his duties by
 4   the select board or otherwise not reappointed, at the sole discretion of the select board,
 5   whichever occurs first; provided, however, that he is mentally and physically capable of
 6   performing the duties of such position. The town of Topsfield may, at its own expense, require
 7   that Neal Hovey be annually examined by an impartial physician designated by the town of
 8   Topsfield to determine his capability to remain in service. No further deductions shall be made
 9   from the regular compensation of Neal Hovey under said chapter 32 for any service subsequent
10   to his reaching the age of 65 and, upon retirement, Neal Hovey shall receive a superannuation
11   retirement allowance equal to that which he would have been entitled had he retired at the age of
12   65.
  1 of 2
13   SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
  2 of 2