Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 1 of chapter 330 of the acts of 1946 is hereby amended by striking out the last paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

The selectmen of said town may forthwith appoint not more than 50 persons to said special police force and may thereafter fill such vacancies as may from time to time occur therein; provided, however, that preference shall be given to residents of said town, if qualified, and that said vacancies or need for additional members shall be advertised in at least one newspaper of local circulation within said town.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.