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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4363 FILED ON: 5/24/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3889
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Joseph D. McKenna and Paul K. Frost
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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 granting appointing authority of the Oxford police department to the town manager in
Oxford.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Joseph D. McKenna18th Worcester5/24/2023Paul K. Frost7th Worcester5/24/2023 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4363 FILED ON: 5/24/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3889
By Representatives McKenna of Webster and Frost of Auburn, a petition (accompanied by bill,
House, No. 3889) of Joseph D. McKenna and Paul K. Frost (by vote of the town) for legislation
to authorize appointing authority of the Oxford police department to the town manager in the
town of Oxford. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act granting appointing authority of the Oxford police department to the town manager in
Oxford.
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. Section 3-3-1 of the charter of the town of Oxford, which is on file in the
2office of the archivist of the Commonwealth, as provided in section 12 of chapter 43B of the
3General Laws, is hereby amended by striking out the words “and (e) the Chief of Police and
4other police officers”.
5 SECTION 2. Section 5-3-9 of said charter is hereby amended by striking out the words
6“and (h)” and inserting in place thereof the following words: - “(h) the police chief and, upon the
7recommendation of the police chief, all other sworn members of the police department; and (i)”.
8 SECTION 3. Section 3 of chapter 6 of said charter is hereby amended by adding the
9following section: - 6-3-2: “There shall be a police department under the supervision of an office
10to be known as the chief of police. The chief of police shall have the authority, duties and
11responsibilities set forth in section 97A of Chapter 41 of the General Laws; provided, however, 2 of 2
12that the provisions of said section 97A of said chapter 41 requiring and authorizing the board of
13selectmen to appoint and remove the chief of police and other officers, to fix their compensation,
14and to approve regulations governing the police department shall not apply.”
15 SECTION 4. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, section 97 of
16chapter 41 of the General Laws shall no longer apply in the town of Oxford.
17 SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon its passage.