It's Official, North Reading Has A "Select Board"

A release from the office of House Minority Leader Brad Jones:

A home rule petition amending the North Reading town charter has been signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker, House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) announced today.

Chapter 269 of the Acts of 2018 revises the town charter by replacing all references to the “Board of Selectmen” with the term “Select Board” and referring to those who serve on the board as “Select Board Members” rather than “Selectmen.” The changes were initially approved at the June 4, 2018 Annual Town Meeting in order to provide “neutrality and inclusiveness towards all genders to both encourage a wider level of government participation and more appropriately reflect the composition of the Board.”

“I’m pleased that Senator Tarr and I were able to move this bill through the House and Senate in a timely manner to help fulfill the town’s wishes to create a more gender-neutral charter that recognizes the diversity of the town’s legislative body,” said Representative Jones.

“Governor Baker’s signature to turn this bill into law was the result of teamwork and collaboration that recognizes the desire of North Reading residents to make changes to the charter that reflect an inclusive self-directed government that represents all,” said Senator Tarr.

Language included in the bill makes the charter changes effective immediately.