3-201.1. 
Establishment. There shall be a council on aging appointed by the Town Manager, subject to confirmation by the Town Council, to consist of nine members. (Charter, §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2)
3-201.2. 
Authority and Responsibility. The council on aging shall advocate for the needs of the elderly people residing in the Town of Southbridge. The council on aging shall make continuing surveys of the elderly population to better determine their needs, problems and concerns. The Council on Aging shall develop criteria for program and supportive services development based upon an assessment of needs and participates in programs offered by the Commonwealth’s Department of Elder Affairs and others. The responsibilities of the council on aging shall be to serve in an advisory capacity to the director of elder services. (MGL c. 40, § 8B)
[Amended 11-4-2019]
3-202.1. 
Establishment. There shall be an airport commission, consisting of five commissioners. The members of the airport commission shall serve for terms of five years and until their successors are qualified. One member may be a non-resident providing that member is actively involved in the Southbridge Municipal Airport. (Chapter 389, Acts of 1946)
3-202.2. 
Authority and Responsibility. The airport commission shall have the custody, care and management of the airport and air navigation facilities owned by the town. Subject to appropriation by vote of the town, the commission shall appoint and fix the salaries of all employees appointed or employed by it provided; however, the salaries and benefits of any employees shall be consistent with the town’s compensation and benefits plan.
The airport commission may let or lease said airport or any part thereof for a period not to exceed twenty years, with the approval of the town manager and the town council.
The airport commission may adopt, and may from time to time alter, amend or repeal, rules and regulations for the use of said airport and for the safety of the public thereon. Such rules and regulations shall not be effective until approved by the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission and published in the same manner that the General By-laws are required to be published. Such rules and regulations shall conform to and be consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth and the rules and regulations of the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission and shall be kept in conformity, as nearly as may be, with the then current federal legislation governing aeronautics and the regulations duly promulgated there under and rules and standards issued from time to time pursuant thereto.
All pertinent provisions of Sections 35 to 52, inclusive, of Chapter 90 (MGL) shall apply to the airport commission. (Chapter 389, Acts of 1946)
3-203.1. 
Establishment. There shall be a board of zoning appeals appointed by the Town Manager, subject to confirmation by the Town Council, to consist of three members and two associate members. In the case of an unfilled vacancy or inability to participate on the part of a member of the board, the chairperson shall designate one of the associate members to take the place of such member. The terms of office of associate members shall be for two years. (Charter, §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2; MGL c. 40A, § 12)
3-203.2. 
Authority and Responsibility. The board of zoning appeals shall hear and decide individual cases brought by persons seeking land use relief; all as provided for in MGL Chapter 40A, Sections 7, 9, 14 and 17, and the zoning by-law of the town. The board of zoning appeals shall have such duties and responsibilities as may from time to time be assigned by the Massachusetts General Laws.
[Amended 3-26-2018]
3-204.1. 
Establishment. There shall be a municipal building committee (MBC), specific to each municipal building project, appointed by the town manager, subject to confirmation by the town council, to consist of seven members. Six members of a MBC shall be appointed by the town manager. In making appointments to a MBC the town manager shall seek to include in its membership a professional engineer, an architect, an attorney and a person representing the building and construction trades. The seventh member of a municipal building committee shall be appointed by the school committee if the project is school related. In all other cases, a person related to the proposed project shall be recommended by the relevant department head to the town manager for appointment and confirmed by the town council. Example: A project related to the fire station, a member from the fire department shall be recommended by the fire chief. (Charter, §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2)
3-204.2. 
Authorities and Responsibilities. Whenever any construction or reconstruction of a building or other facility is authorized, a municipal building committee shall be responsible for all work in connection therewith including site planning, preliminary architectural plans and drawings, detailed architectural plans and drawings, all bid documents and construction supervision subject to the designer selection procedures adopted by the town council in compliance with MGL c. 7C, §§ 44 – 57 (Designer Selection Law).
The municipal building committee shall meet regularly with the town manager to discuss its ongoing work program and to provide for an orderly interface with other municipal entities, with meeting subject to the Open Meeting Law.
[Amended 10-19-2015]
3-205.1. 
Establishment. There shall be a cable antenna television advisory committee appointed by the town manager, subject to confirmation by the town council, to consist of five (5) members. (Charter, §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2)
3-205.2. 
Authority and Responsibility. The cable antenna television advisory committee shall review all requests made by the general public and general access users and make decisions to resolve outstanding problems based upon the approved guidelines contained in the policies and procedures manual and such other powers and duties as may be provided in the contract between the town and the cable antenna television provider.
3-206.1. 
Establishment. There shall be a conservation commission appointed by the Town Manager, subject to confirmation by the Town Council, to consist of seven members. The commission shall exercise the powers provided in MGL Chapter 40, Section 8C and Chapter 140, Sections 40 and 40A and such other powers as may from time to time be assigned by the town charter, general laws, or by-laws. (Charter, §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2)
3-206.2. 
Authority and Responsibility. The conservation commission shall protect, promote and enhance the quantity and quality of the natural resources within the town, especially wetlands, wildlife and water resources, through planning, acquisition, land management, regulation, scientific research and public education. The commission may conduct research into local land areas and shall seek to coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes.
The conservation commission may receive gifts, bequests or devises of personal property or interests in real property in the name of the town, subject to approval of the town council. The commission may receive monetary gifts and expend the same without further appropriation, subject to applicable provisions of the General Laws
The conservation commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the provisions of MGL Chapter 131, Sections 40 and 40A in protecting flood plains, water bodies and other wetlands within the town, and the wetlands protection By-laws and other Bylaws and regulations as directed. (See MGL c. 40, § 8C and c.131, §§ 40 and 40A)
3-207.1. 
Establishment. There shall be a local cultural council appointed by the Town Manager, subject to confirmation by the Town Council, which shall consist of nine members. No member shall be appointed to a third consecutive term. Members shall have demonstrated scholarship or creativity in, or distinguished service to, the arts, humanities, or interpretive sciences. (Charter, §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2; MGL c. 10, § 58)
3-207.2. 
Authority and Responsibility. The cultural council shall determine the distribution of arts lottery funds or other funds that may be allocated to it, may conduct other activities to promote and encourage the arts, enter into contracts, subject to approval of the town’s legal counsel as to form, and do and perform any and all acts which may be necessary or desirable to carry out such powers and the purposes of MGL Chapter 10, Sections 56 to 58, inclusive.
3-208.1. 
Establishment. There shall be a disability commission appointed by the Town Manager, subject to confirmation by the Town Council, consisting of seven members. A majority of the persons appointed shall consist of persons with disabilities, one member shall be a member of the immediate family of a person with a disability, and one member shall be either an elected or appointed official of the town. (Charter, §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2; MGL c. 40, § 8J)
3-208.2. 
Authority and Responsibility. The disability commission shall research local problems of people with disabilities, advise and assist municipal officials and employees in ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations that affect people with disabilities, coordinate or carry out programs designed to meet the problems of people with disabilities in coordination with programs of the Massachusetts office on disability, review and make recommendations about policies, procedures, services, activities and facilities of departments and boards of the town as they affect people with disabilities, provide information, referrals, guidance and technical assistance to individuals, public agencies, businesses and organizations in all matters pertaining to disability, and coordinate the activities of other local groups organized for similar purposes. (MGL c. 40, § 8J)
3-209.1. 
Establishment. There shall be a board of health, appointed by the Town Manager, subject to confirmation by the Town Council, which shall consist of five members. (Charter, §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2; MGL c. 41, § 1)
3-209.2. 
Authority and Responsibility. The board of health shall be responsible for the formulation and enforcement of regulations affecting the environment and actions affecting health. The Board of Health shall have such authority and responsibility as is provided to the board of health by the Massachusetts General Laws, including MGL Chapters 111 to 114, inclusive, and by the state sanitary code. The board shall also establish and enforce standards to protect the public health with regard to refuse collection and disposal in the town. (MGL c. 111 to 114 generally)
3-210.1. 
Establishment. There shall be an historical commission, appointed by the Town Manager, subject to confirmation by the Town Council, which shall consist of seven members. (Charter, §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2; MGL c. 40, § 8D)
3-210.2. 
Authority and Responsibility. The historical commission shall act for the preservation, promotion and development of the historical assets of the town. The commission shall conduct research into places of historic value and shall seek to coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes. The commission may acquire by gift, purchase or otherwise articles, artifacts, books, paintings and other materials of historic interest or value and shall provide a proper place for the storage and display of any such materials. The commission may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which it deems necessary for its work. For the purpose of protecting and preserving places of interest as it deems worthy, the commission may recommend to the town that such places be certified as an historical landmark. The historical commission shall have such authority and responsibility as is provided to historical commissions by the Massachusetts General Laws.
3-211.1. 
Establishment. There shall be a board of trustees of the Jacob Edwards Memorial Library composed of seven members. Four members shall be appointed by and in accord with the Jacob Edwards Trust and three members shall be appointed by the Town Manager, subject to confirmation by the Town Council. (Charter, §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2; MGL c. 78, § 10)
3-211.2. 
Authority and Responsibility. The board of library trustees shall have such authority and responsibility as is provided to library trustees by the Massachusetts General Laws. (MGL c. 78, generally)
3-212.1. 
Establishment. There shall be a liquor licensing board, appointed by the Town Manager, subject to confirmation by the Town Council, to consist of three members and one alternate member, in accordance with the provisions of MGL Chapter 138, Sections 4-10B and Section 9-1-1 of the Town Charter. (Charter, §4-3-2)
3-212.2. 
Authority and Responsibility. The liquor licensing board shall have the authority and responsibility provided under MGL Chapter 138.
3-213.1. 
Establishment. Historic district study committees, appointed by the Town Manager, subject to confirmation by the Town Council, may be established pursuant to MGL Chapter 40C, § 4. (Charter, §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2)
3-213.2. 
Authority and Responsibility. An historic district study committee shall investigate the desirability of establishing an historic district or districts. (MGL c. 40C, generally)
3-214.1. 
Establishment. There shall be a planning board, appointed by the Town Manager, subject to confirmation by the Town Council, consisting of seven members. (Charter, §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2; MGL c. 41, § 81A)
3-214.2. 
Authorities and Responsibilities. The planning board shall exercise the powers provided in MGL Chapter 41, Sections 70 to 72 and Sections 81A through 81JJ.
The planning board shall make careful studies of the resources, possibilities and needs of the town and shall make plans for the development of the town. The board shall make, and may from time to time amend and perfect, a comprehensive or master plan, setting forth in graphic and textual form policies to govern future growth and development in the town. The board shall monitor, and report on, progress made by the town implementing the recommendations of the master plan and other plans and studies prepared by the board.
The planning board shall have the power to regulate the subdivision of land within the town by the adoption of rules and regulations governing such development and the administration of such rules and regulations upon the application of landowners for the subdivision of land in Southbridge.
The planning board shall make an annual report, giving information regarding the condition of the town and any plans or proposals for its development and estimates of their costs. The board shall have all of the other powers and duties planning boards are given by general law, by the charter, by By-law or otherwise.
The planning board shall have such authority and responsibility pursuant to relevant sections of the general laws and such additional authority and responsibility as may be assigned by by-law.
3-215.1. 
Establishment. The recreation committee shall be comprised of a five (5) member board. Members shall be appointed by the town manager and confirmed by the town council. Members of the recreation committee shall serve an office term of three (3) years.
Terms are to be staggered. At the first appointment two members shall be appointed for three-year terms, two members shall be appointed for two-year terms and one member shall be appointed for a one-year term with all subsequent terms to be three years. After the first appointment under this section, all appointed terms of the recreation committee shall at all times be a resident of Southbridge; provided, however, nonresidents who hold a town office or town employment may serve by virtue of their office. The members of the recreation committee shall be impartial and may not actively participate in any active leagues which utilize the town recreation areas.
3-215.2. 
Authority and Responsibility. The recreation committee shall conduct programs for the town under the direction of the town manager. The committee shall propose new program activities and review existing programs for approval by the town manager and shall be responsible for the scheduling of activities on town recreation areas. It shall perform such other duties as the town manager may require from time to time. An advisory group of leagues that do utilize the town recreational areas will also be constructed. The advisory board will work with the recreation committee regarding town recreation areas. An advisory group consisting of the president/chairperson of each organized sport league or their designee shall be eligible to participate on the advisory group. All members of the recreation committee shall serve without compensation.
3-216.1. 
Establishment. There shall be a board of registrars of voters, which shall consist of three members appointed by the Town Manager, subject to confirmation by the Town Council, and the town clerk who shall serve ex officio. The members of the board shall represent the two leading political parties, and in no case shall an appointment be made so as to cause the board to have more than two members, including the town clerk, of the same political party. (Charter, §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2; MGL c. 51, § 15)
3-216.2. 
Authority and Responsibility. The board of registrars of voters shall supervise the qualification of persons to vote, shall certify the names of voters on nomination papers and petition forms and shall hold hearings to decide all disputes relating to these matters. They shall have all the other authority relating to elections as provided by MGL Chapters 51-56, inclusive.
3-217.1. 
Establishment. There shall be a Southbridge Contributory Retirement Board which shall consist of five members. The town accountant shall serve, by virtue of office, as a member of the board, one member shall be appointed by the town manager and two members shall be elected by the members in or retired from service of such system from among their number and the fifth member, who shall not be an employee or retiree or official of the Town of Southbridge, shall be chosen by the other members. The terms of all members shall be for three years. (Charter, §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2)
3-217.2. 
Authority and Responsibility. The contributory retirement board shall have the powers and duties provided in subdivision (5) of Chapter 32, Section 20 of the General Law, and shall be responsible for the management of the retirement system for the Town of Southbridge subject to the requirements of MGL Chapter 32 and to the oversight of the commissioner of public employee retirement as provided in MGL Chapter 32, Section 21, and otherwise.
3-218.1. 
Scholarship Committee – Establishment, Authority and Responsibility. There shall be a scholarship committee composed of five members. One member shall be the superintendent of schools; the remaining four members shall be appointed by the Town Manager, subject to confirmation by the Town Council. The scholarship committee shall have all the authority and responsibility provided to such a committee pursuant to MGL Chapter 60, Section 3C. (Charter, §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2)
3-218.2. 
Education Committee – Establishment, Authority and Responsibility. There shall be an education committee composed of five members. One member shall be the superintendent of schools, the remaining four members shall be appointed by the Town Manager, subject to confirmation by the Town Council. The education committee shall have the authority and responsibility provided to such a committee pursuant to MGL Chapter 60, Section 3C. (Charter, §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2)
3-219.1. 
Establishment. There shall be a trails committee, appointed by the Town Manager, subject to confirmation by the Town Council, composed of five members. (Charter, §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2)
3-219.2. 
Authority and Responsibility. The trails committee shall oversee and promote the recreational trail system in and about the Town of Southbridge.
3-220.1. 
Establishment. The planning board, as provided for in Section 3-214 of these by-laws, shall be the special permit granting authority under the zoning by-law. In addition to the seven persons serving as members of the planning board, two alternate members shall be appointed by the Town Manager, subject to confirmation by the Town Council, as alternate members of the planning board when sitting as a special permit granting agency. (Charter, §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2)
3-220.2. 
Authority and Responsibility. The planning board, as provided for in section 3-214 of these by-laws, shall be a special permit granting authority under the zoning by-law including, but not limited to, the special permits described in MGL Chapter 40A, Section 9, and for such other purposes as may be provided in the zoning By-law.
When sitting to hear applications for special permits if any member of the planning board is absent or because of a conflict of interest or other disability is unable to participate on a particular matter, the chair shall seat one of the alternate members to act on that specific matter during any such absence or disability.
3-221.1. 
Establishment. There shall be a board of trustees of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen memorials, appointed by the Town Manager, subject to confirmation by the Town Council, which shall consist of five members, three of whom shall be veterans and two of whom shall not be veterans of any war. (Charter, §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2; MGL c. 41, § 105)
3-221.2. 
Authority and Responsibility. The board of trustees of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen memorials shall have charge and control of any memorial established by the town for the purpose of properly commemorating the services and sacrifices of the soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who have served the country in war or persons who have rendered military service for the commonwealth in time of war. Such board may make such rules and regulations relative to the use of said memorials as they deem necessary.
3-222.1. 
Establishment. There shall be an Agricultural Commission, appointed by the Town Manager, subject to confirmation by the Town Council, which shall consist of five members serving staggered terms of three years each. The initial appointments shall consist of two members for three year terms, two members for two year terms, and one member for a one year term, with all subsequent terms to be three years. The majority of the members shall be engaged in “farming” or “agriculture” activities, as defined at Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 128, §1A, but an individual so engaged shall be eligible for appointment regardless of whether he or she derives income from such activities. One member may be a non-resident with an interest in agricultural property located in Southbridge. Up to two voting alternate members, who may be residents not engaged in farming or agriculture activities but with an interest in agricultural property located in Southbridge, may be appointed. The chairman of the Commission may designate any alternate member to sit on the Commission in case of absence, inability to act or conflict of interest on the part of any member, or in the event of a vacancy on the Commission until said vacancy is filled in the manner provided in this section.
3-222.2. 
Authority and Responsibility. The Agricultural Commission may be called as needed by the various Town boards and commissions to serve as advisors on projects and activities involving agricultural lands and affairs in Southbridge. The Agricultural Commission shall encourage, promote and facilitate the continued pursuit of farming and a sustainable agricultural industry, support and advance agricultural-based economic opportunities in the Town, and work for the preservation of prime agricultural land in Southbridge.
3-223.1. 
Establishment. There shall be an Economic Development Commission, appointed by the Town Manager, subject to confirmation by the Town Council, which shall consist of not more than seven members serving staggered terms of three years each. The initial appointments shall consist of two members for three year terms, two members for two year terms, and one member for a one year term, with all subsequent terms to be three years. One member may be a non-resident, providing that said member be in a decision-making position in a Southbridge enterprise. Up to two voting alternate members may be appointed. The chairman of the Authority may designate any alternate member to sit on the Authority in case of absence, inability to act, or conflict of interest on the part of any member or in the event of a vacancy on the Commission until said vacancy is filled in the manner provided in this section. (Charter §§4-3-1 and 4-3-2)
3-223.2. 
Authority and Responsibilities. The Economic Development Commission shall promote a strong and vibrant town economy in order to increase the tax base and to provide jobs, goods, and services to the community. The Economic Development Commission shall work to promote an entrepreneurial spirit throughout the various sectors of economic development in the Town.
The Economic Development Commission shall review and make recommendations regarding Tax Increment Financing agreements; facilitate the Town’s permitting processes; promote the Town’s industrial park and other enterprise areas; work to attract and retain advantageous growth; and perform such services as will establish a good environment for growth and the retention of enterprise, thus improving the economic condition of the Town.