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 197 of the acts of 1914 is hereby amended by striking out section 4, as amended by chapter 300 of the acts of 1991, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 4. The selectmen elected as provided in section 2 shall appoint, as soon as practicable, a person suitably qualified to the office of town treasurer and collector of taxes. The town treasurer and collector of taxes shall enjoy all the powers and rights and be subject to all the duties and liabilities conferred or imposed by law upon town treasurers and collectors of taxes and each of them, whether now existing or hereafter created, and shall hold office for 3 years from the date of his appointment and until his successor is chosen and qualified, except as herein provided. The treasurer and collector of taxes shall receive compensation for his services as the town may determine. In case of a vacancy in the office, the selectmen forthwith shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. The town treasurer and collector of taxes shall be sworn to the faithful performance of his duties by the chairman of the board of selectmen, or by the town clerk and accountant, or by a justice of the peace.

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