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. Chapter 617 of the acts of 1974 is hereby repealed.

SECTION 2. Article 3 of the charter of the town of Dedham, which is on file in the office of the archivist of the commonwealth as provided in section 12 of chapter 43B of the General Laws, is hereby amended by striking out section 3-11 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 3-11. Parks and Recreation Commission.

(a) Composition, Term of Office - There shall be a parks and recreation commission which shall consist of five members, elected at large. The term of office of commission members shall be for three years. The term of office of commission members shall be so arranged that as nearly an equal number as is possible shall expire each year.

(b) Powers and Duties - The commission shall conduct and promote recreation, play, sport, physical education and other programs to meet the leisure time needs of the community and shall have all powers, duties and trusts which are conferred or imposed on park commissions and recreation commissions under the constitution and laws of the commonwealth. The commission shall consider the needs of all age groups in the development of programs. The commission shall have such additional powers and duties as may be authorized by the charter, by-law or by other vote of the town meeting.

(c) Powers and Duties - The parks and recreation commission may appoint a director of parks and recreation. Said director shall be appointed annually by the commission for a term of one year and until qualification by a successor and may be removed by the commission at any time when, in the judgment of the commission, the public interest so requires; and any vacancy for any cause may be filled by appointment by the commission of the remainder of the unexpired term.

SECTION 3. Parks and recreation commissioners holding such office on the effective date of this act shall continue to hold such office for the remainder of the terms for which they were elected and shall for all purposes be deemed to be elected commissioners under the town of Dedham charter. All acts of the existing parks and recreation commission and all contracts and liabilities of the commission in effect on the effective date of this act shall remain in effect and the commission and commissioners elected under the charter shall in all respects and for all purposes be the lawful successors to the existing commission and commissioners. All employees of the existing parks and recreation commission shall continue as employees of the commission without loss of pay, seniority, retirement or pension rights or any other privileges and all full-time park employees shall continue to be subject to chapter 31 of the General Laws.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon its passage.