MA H3898

Requires Natick to place a ballot question at the next election asking voters to adopt charter amendments previously voted by Town Meeting in 2023 and 2024, with amendments taking effect only if "Yes" votes exceed "No" votes

Changes the title "town administrator" to "town manager" throughout the charter and expands the position's powers and duties as chief administrative officer, including a 3-year term (or up to 5 years with two-thirds Select Board vote) and a 6-month probationary period

Transfers appointment authority for police chief, fire chief, town comptroller, and director of veterans' services (terms up to 5 years each) to the Select Board, while town clerk, treasurer-collector, and assistant treasurer-collector appointments by the town manager require Select Board approval

Revises town meeting member vacancy procedures to use ranked lists based on vote totals from the most recent election, with the Town Moderator filling vacancies in descending order of votes received and conducting public lotteries to resolve ties

Updates budget process requirements including expanded budget message content, public hearing procedures, and capital improvement program submissions at least 30 days before operating budget deadline