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. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 8E of chapter 40 of the General Laws, the city known as the town of Methuen may, by ordinance, provide for the appointment of associate members of the youth commission of said city. Such associate members may be designated to sit on said commission by the chairman thereof in case of absence, inability to act or conflict of interest on the part of any member of said commission or, in the event of a vacancy on the board of said commission, until such vacancy is filled in the manner provided in said section 8E.

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