MA S2716

Establishes a new home rule charter for Rockland, Massachusetts that divides government powers between an open town meeting (legislative) and an executive branch consisting of a 5-member select board, town administrator, and elected independent boards.

Creates a town administrator position appointed by the select board for up to 3-year terms, serving as chief executive officer with authority to appoint department heads, prepare the annual budget, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, and oversee day-to-day town operations.

Maintains elected positions for town clerk, treasurer, collector, highway superintendent, moderator, and boards including assessors, health, water commissioners, sewer commissioners, library trustees, school committee, planning board, park commissioners, and housing authority members.

Establishes a 15-member finance committee appointed by the moderator and a 7-member capital planning committee to review budgets and capital projects costing over $50,000 with useful lives of at least 5 years.

Includes provisions for recall elections requiring 500 voters to file an affidavit and 15% of qualified voters to sign a petition, with mandatory charter review every year ending in 5 and by-law review every year ending in 2 or 7.