ERVING — A new Selectboard has officially been established in place of the former Board of Selectmen. The change of terminology was endorsed by Erving Town Meeting voters in July, and was ultimately approved by Gov. Charlie Baker last week.
The change is only a difference in terminology, and does not change any of the Selectboard’s legal functions. Board members’ terms are still the same as they would have been otherwise.
The primary motive for the change was to reflect modern views on the use of gendered terminology, said Administrative Coordinator Bryan Smith.
“I think, in general associations, these terms have a patriarchal affiliation,” Smith explained in June, before residents voted on the question. “It can become a concern for inclusivity.”
Town Meeting voters’ decision in July to pursue the name change was technically a request for special state legislation that would rename the Board of Selectmen, and reassign all powers and authority of the Board of Selectmen to the Erving Selectboard.
Last week, the change was completed when the bill, which had been approved by the state Legislature, received its last approval from Gov. Baker and became law.
The timing of the legal change coincides neatly with Erving’s plans to update its town bylaws. Smith said a new set of bylaws are expected to be presented for approval at this year’s Annual Town Meeting. Having already settled the new terminology for the Selectboard, the bylaws can likewise use the new terminology.
Reach Max Marcus at
mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.