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 section 4 of chapter 138 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the board of licensing commissioners of the city of Springfield shall consist of 5 persons, appointed by the mayor, subject to confirmation by the city council, who shall not be engaged, directly or indirectly, in the manufacture or sale of alcoholic beverages and who shall have been residents of the city of Springfield for at least 2 years immediately preceding their appointment. Two members shall be appointed from each of the 2 leading political parties and the fifth member may be appointed in a nonpartisan manner without regard to political affiliation. The fifth member shall be recommended to the mayor through a caucus of the various neighborhood councils and civic associations of the city. If a member of the board engages, directly or indirectly, in such manufacture or sale of alcoholic beverages, his office shall immediately become vacant.

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding section 5 of chapter 138 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the terms of office of the members of the board of licensing commissioners of the city of Springfield shall be arranged so as to expire concurrent with the term of the mayor. Members shall continue to serve until their respective successors are appointed. A member may be removed by the mayor for cause, after charges preferred, reasonable notice of the charges and a hearing. The mayor shall, in the order of removal, state his reasons for such removal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this section shall not impair the term of an incumbent board member on the effective date of this act.

SECTION 3. Notwithstanding section 7 of chapter 138 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, no member of the board shall receive a salary for services rendered to the board.

SECTION 4. All other provisions of sections 4 to 9, inclusive, of chapter 138 of the General Laws, not in conflict with this act, shall apply to the board of licensing commissioners.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon its passage.