Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 43b - Home Rule Procedures
Section 20 - Provisions of Charter or Amendment Deemed Consistent With Certain Other Laws

Section 20. The provisions of any charter or charter amendment adopted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed consistent with the provisions of any law relating to the structure of city and town government, the creation of local offices, the term of office or mode of selection of local offices, and the distribution of powers, duties and responsibilities among local offices. Such provisions may provide:
(a) that any particular local office shall be either elected or appointed; provided, however, that in any town having a board of selectmen the members of such board shall always be elected; provided, further, that in any city or town having a school committee the members of such committee shall always be elected; and provided, further, that in any town having a form of town meeting open to all of its registered voters the town moderator shall always be elected and in every other case all of the members of the legislative body shall always be elected;
(b) that any particular local officer or employee shall be appointed by any particular local officer;
(c) for the number of persons to serve as members of any multiple member body; provided, however, that all such multiple member bodies shall always consist of an odd number of members;
(d) for the term of office to be served by any local elected officer; provided, however, that no term of office of a local elected officer shall be for more than five years, and the members of multiple member bodies shall serve for terms which, as nearly as possible, expire in different years;
(e) for the merger or consolidation of two or more local offices into a single office;
(f) that the powers, duties and responsibilities of one local office be divided and exercised by two or more local offices;
(g) for the confirmation of any appointment by another municipal agency.

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