New England PBA strongly opposes HB 3907

To All MA Locals:

Just before Christmas, the Governor filed a bill under House Draft 4338 as an Act to Modernize Municipal Finance and Government. The bill reached the House Floor just before the Legislative Christmas Break.

During the Session, the Draft, which is 72 pages long and covers numerous Chapters and Sections of the Law was broken up into Several Bills and sent to different Committees.

Part of this bill regards Civil Service, if passed as written, municipalities will no longer need a Legislative Act in order to eliminate Civil Service.  All it would take is a simple majority vote of the Governing Body or Town Meeting.  The part of the Bill pertaining to this proposed change is now listed under HB3907 and has been sent to Joint Committee on Public Service.

I do not think I have to go into any long winded email on how this could, and most probably would, negatively impact our members.

I have relayed our strong opposition to the bill directly through our contacts to the Governor’s Office and Legislative Leaders.

With tremendous insight from our resident legal expert on Civil Service, Gary Nolan, the NEPBA offered strong opposition testimony at Public Service Hearing on Tuesday January 26. I was joined by Executive Vice President Tom Daly and the NEPBA made it clear, the Bill as written should not be supported in any way shape or form. Remember, if this Bill, as written, passed, as Gary noted, “with a single swipe of a pen,“ a board of Selectmen or Council could simply remove the Rights and Privileges granted under Civil Service.  I have attached a copy of the written testimony. CLICK HERE

In Solidarity,

Paul V. Larkham, Captain
Tyngsboro Police (Retired)
MA Legislative Director
New England Police Benevolent Association, INC