Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 7, § 4I

There shall be within the executive office for administration and finance, but not under its supervision or control, a commission to be known as the civil service commission, consisting of 5 members, 1 of whom because of vocation, employment, occupation or affiliation, may be classified as a bona fide representative of labor and 2 of whom shall have prior experience serving as a town administrator, city manager, select board member or city councilor.

Upon the expiration of the term of office of a commissioner of the civil service commission, a successor shall be appointed by the governor for 5 years; provided, however, that if such successor is not appointed within 60 days of the expiration of the term of office of a commissioner, said commissioner shall be deemed to be reappointed to a full term. Not more than 3 of such members of the commission shall be members of the same political party, and, of the members of the commission who are enrolled as members of a political party on the voting list used at the primaries, not more than a majority of such members shall be of the same political party. The governor shall, from time to time, designate 1 of the members as chair. The positions of chair and each other member of the commission shall be classified in accordance with section 45 of chapter 30 and the salaries shall be determined in accordance with section 46C of said chapter 30. The commissioners shall be reimbursed for their travel and other necessary expenses incurred in attending meetings.

Meetings of the commission shall be held at such time and location as it may determine and the commission shall meet upon the request of the personnel administrator. The commission shall in its rules of practice and procedure provide for the conduct of hearings throughout the commonwealth when it would best serve the interested parties.

The commission or any member thereof, or the personnel administrator may require, in connection with the activities authorized by law, any official or employee of the human resources division to give full information and to provide all papers and records relating to any official act performed by them.