MassachusettsH 4753194th General Court (2025-2026)House

An Act relative to the charter of the town of Westwood

Sponsored By: Michael F. Rush (Democratic), Paul McMurtry (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Municipalities and Regional GovernmentHouse Steering, Policy and Scheduling

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

12 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.

Easier ways to place warrant articles

Ten voters can place an article on the annual town meeting warrant. One hundred registered voters can place an article on a special town meeting warrant. Five voters can file a pre‑petition by December 1. The board or finance and warrant commission must give nonbinding guidance at least seven days before the warrant closes.

Moderator and clerk election rules

Westwood elects a moderator for one year to run town meeting. If absent, the select board appoints an acting moderator who is not an elected town officer. The moderator and town clerk are elected by the whole town. The clerk serves a three‑year term. Pay for these offices needs a town meeting appropriation.

Public works, fire and police structure

The charter keeps the public works, fire, and police departments aligned with state law and local bylaws. This preserves how these services are organized and run in town.

Rules for local boards and committees

The school committee has five unpaid members. The planning board has five members and up to two associate members with three‑year overlapping terms. Most appointed boards have three‑year overlapping terms, are unpaid, and may have up to two associate members (not for the zoning board). The zoning board has three regular and six associate members. The board of health must include a Massachusetts‑licensed doctor or a registered nurse. The council on aging has nine members, with a one‑year wait before any third term.

Stronger town finance and budgeting

A department of municipal finance now coordinates accounting, treasury, tax collection, and assessing. The finance director is appointed by the town administrator, may serve as town accountant, and must meet set qualifications; pay and terms can be by contract within appropriations. The audit committee of three reviews annual financial statements and auditor findings. The fiscal year runs July 1 to June 30. The administrator submits the budget and a five‑year capital plan at least three months before the spring town meeting, with a public hearing at least 14 days before submission.

Town administrator powers and continuity

The town administrator is the chief administrative officer. They appoint and may discipline town staff, with a 15‑day select board review. They coordinate departments, enforce laws, prepare the budget and a five‑year capital plan, run most purchasing, and negotiate non‑school employee contracts with board approval. For vacancies or absences, an acting or temporary administrator can be named to handle urgent matters and make only temporary emergency appointments.

Westwood adopts a new charter

Westwood adopts a home rule charter. The town uses all powers allowed by state law. Government runs by a select board, open town meeting, and a town administrator. Existing local laws stay in place unless they conflict. A review committee checks the charter and bylaws at least every 10 years.

2020 Westwood special act repealed

The law repeals Chapter 87 of the Acts of 2020 for Westwood. Any rules, offices, or agreements that existed only under that act end. The new town charter now controls how Westwood runs. This mainly affects town officials and local procedures, not direct household bills.

How local elections and meetings run

The annual town election is the last Tuesday in April. The select board may delay it for an overlapping state/federal election or a declared emergency. Town officer ballots are nonpartisan, and any registered voter can run. The spring town meeting is the first Monday in May. A fall meeting may be canceled by Sept 15 if 10 or fewer petitioned articles were filed by Aug 1. Bylaw changes need a two‑thirds vote at town meeting unless state law says otherwise.

New recall process for town officials

Voters can recall elected town officers. It starts with an affidavit by 200 voters, then a petition due in 20 days with signatures from at least 15% of registered voters, spread across precincts. If certified, the board schedules a recall election 65–90 days later, or on the next town election if within 100 days. Ballots ask For or Against recall; two‑thirds yes removes the officer and the top vote‑getter wins. No recall in the first 90 days in office or within 90 days of term end. A recalled or resigned‑after‑petition person cannot be appointed to any town office for one year.

Select Board structure and hiring powers

The select board has three members with overlapping three‑year terms. Members are paid only if town meeting votes money. The board appoints the police chief, fire chief, and town or special counsel. It also appoints many boards and commissions. The board may rescind an appointment but must give written notice and reasons first.

Town administrator hiring and qualifications

The select board appoints a full‑time town administrator and sets pay within the town budget. The board may use an employment contract. Applicants must not have held an elected town office in the past 12 months. They generally need a master’s degree and five years of professional experience; the board may waive education or experience with an equivalent mix. The administrator may not hold other public office or run a business unless the board approves.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 11 • No: 0

committee vote • 12/9/2025

Committee Favorable: Ought to pass