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 any general or special law to the contrary, the city of Leominster is hereby authorized to establish a city Open Space Fund, the purpose of which shall be to preserve open areas within the city and to provide funds for the purchase of open space property or conservation easements. The city may design and designate a place on its municipal tax bills or the motor vehicle excise tax bills, or may mail with such tax bills a separate form, whereby the taxpayers of the city may voluntarily check off, donate or pledge an amount not less than $1 to said fund.

SECTION 2. Amounts donated to the Open Space Fund shall be deposited into a special account and shall be in the custody of the city treasurer and the funds may be expended as is recommended by the mayor and approved by the city council for the purchase of open space or conservation easements as may be appropriate. Interest earned upon such fund shall remain therewith.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage.