All Roll Calls
Yes: 11 • No: 0
MassachusettsH 4135194th General Court (2025-2026)House
An Act amending the town manager act of Arlington relative to the appointment and management of the town clerk
Sponsored By: Cindy F. Friedman (Democratic), Sean Garballey (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Municipalities and Regional GovernmentHouse Steering, Policy and Scheduling
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Voters still elect town assessors
The law keeps Arlington’s current way of electing assessors. Voters continue to choose assessors the same as before.
Town clerk becomes an appointed job
The current elected town clerk stays in office until the term ends or the office is vacated. After that, the elected clerk office is abolished. Future town clerks are appointed under the new rules.
Select board approval for key officers
The town manager appoints the comptroller (who also has town accountant powers), the treasurer/collector, and the town clerk based on merit. These appointments take effect only if the select board approves. The manager may remove these officers, but removal also needs select board approval. These officers can report directly to the select board or any member at any time without the manager’s permission.
Town manager oversees most departments
The town manager now supervises most town departments and offices. This does not include the select board, school committee, moderator, board of assessors, registrars and election officers, boards of appeal, finance committee, capital budget committee, or personnel review and appeals board. This changes internal oversight, not your taxes or benefits.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Cindy F. Friedman
Democratic • Senate
Sean Garballey
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
David M. Rogers
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
committee vote • 7/2/2025
Committee Favorable: Ought to Pass
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor, Chapter 69 of the Acts of 2025
11/20/2025Enacted and laid before the Governor
11/13/2025SenateEnacted
11/12/2025HouseRead second, ordered to a third reading, read third (title changed) and passed to be engrossed
11/10/2025SenateTaken out of the Orders of the Day
11/10/2025SenateRead; and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session
11/3/2025SenateRead third and passed to be engrossed
10/30/2025HouseRead second and ordered to a third reading
7/24/2025HouseRules suspended
7/24/2025HouseCommittee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting
7/24/2025HouseBill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
7/14/2025HouseHearing scheduled for 06/10/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-1
6/3/2025legislatureSenate concurred
5/15/2025SenateReferred to the committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
5/12/2025House
Bill Text
Chapter 69 of the Acts of 2025
11/20/2025
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