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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5309 FILED ON: 8/11/2024
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 5010
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Kate Donaghue
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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 relative to the department of public works in the town of Southborough.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Kate Donaghue19th Worcester6/20/2024 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5309 FILED ON: 8/11/2024
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 5010
By Representative Donaghue of Westborough, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5010)
of Kate Donaghue (by vote of the town) relative to the department of public works in the town of
Southborough. 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 relative to the department of public works in the town of Southborough.
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. Chapter 447 of the acts of 1991 is hereby amended by striking out sections
21 to 3, inclusive, and inserting in place thereof the following 3 sections:-
3 Section 1. There is hereby established in the town of Southborough a department of
4public works, hereinafter called the department, which shall be under the jurisdiction of the
5town's select board. The department shall have all the powers and duties now vested by the
6General Laws and town by-law in the highway department, cemetery department and water
7department. Said departments are hereby abolished and their powers and duties shall be
8transferred to and shall be under the direction of the department. No contracts, obligations or
9liabilities in force on the effective date of this act shall be affected hereby, but the department
10shall in all respects be the lawful successor of said departments and offices now included in the
11department. 2 of 2
12 Section 2. The select board shall appoint a superintendent of public works, whose
13qualifications, powers and duties shall be determined and prescribed by said board, and who
14shall be responsible to said board. The superintendent shall have authority for carrying out the
15policies of said board and over the operations of the department. The superintendent shall
16appoint and remove such employees as they deem necessary, subject to appropriation and the
17approval of said board. Said superintendent shall be appointed for a term of 3 years commencing
18on July first and expiring on June thirtieth at the conclusion of the statutory period. The select
19board shall appoint a tree warden as described under chapter 87 of the General Laws.
20 Section 3. All powers and duties now vested by the General Laws and town by-laws in
21the board of water commissions and board of cemetery commissioners shall be assumed by the
22select board and said board of water commissioners and board of cemetery commissioners are
23hereby abolished.
24 SECTION 2. Section 5 of said chapter 447 is hereby repealed.
25 SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage.