§ 2651a - Constables; appointment; removal
§ 2651a. Constables; appointment; removal
(a) A town may vote by Australian ballot at an annual meeting to authorize the selectmen to appoint a first constable, and if needed a second constable, in which case at least a first constable shall be appointed. A constable so appointed may be removed by the selectmen for just cause after notice and hearing. When a town votes to authorize the selectmen to appoint constables, the selectmen's authority to make such appointments shall remain in effect until the town rescinds that authority by the majority vote of the legal voters present and voting at an annual meeting, duly warned for that purpose.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) to the contrary, a vote to authorize the selectmen to appoint constables shall become effective only upon a two-thirds vote of those present and voting, if a written protest against the authorization is filed with the legislative body at least 15 days before the vote by at least five percent of the voters of the municipality. (Added 1991, No. 177 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)