SHREWSBURY – The Massachusetts Legislature passed a bill to rename the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen to the Shrewsbury Select Board on Sept. 15.
The legislation was filed by Sen. Michael Moore (D-Millbury) and Rep. Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury) as a result of a Home Rule petition.
“I am so pleased to see this legislation passed as the terminology is much more representative of the fact that both men and women have served and continue to serve in elected capacity on the Shrewsbury Select Board,” Kane said.
Kane said that she and Moore collaborated to “quickly advance this home rule petition through the legislature.”
“Outdated language in our government can have a real effect on peoples’ perception of who is in charge and whether their institutions are working with their best interests in mind,” Moore said.
He added, “I’m happy to have joined with Representative Hannah Kane to put forward this legislation on behalf of the people of Shrewsbury. By renaming the Board of Selectmen to the Select Board, Shrewsbury is making its government a more welcoming and inclusive place for people of all walks of life who want to get involved in their town’s leadership.”
An article approving the change to the Board of Selectmen’s name to the Select Board, and the name of members to Select Board Members, was passed at Shrewsbury’s annual town meeting on May 21.
During the June 28 meeting, the board unanimously voted to file a petition with the state legislature.
Following the passage of Moore and Kane’s bill, the bill was signed by Gov. Charlie Baker on Sept. 16.
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