What Does a Board of Selectmen Do?

The selectmen serve as a town's chief executive body. They have overall responsibility for the general operations of town government. They are usually the major non-school appointing authority for a town.

What are the basic roles and responsibilities of the Board of Selectmen?

Generally, boards of selectmen have at least several important responsibilities under state law: the power to prepare the town meeting warrant; the power to make appointments to town boards and offices; the power to employ professional administrative staff and town counsel; the power to sign warrants for the payment of ...

Does a town selectmen get paid?

While most mayors and first selectmen are paid a salary, those serving as aldermen, councilors or selectmen get a yearly stipend set by municipal charter or linked to the fluctuating yearly employee compensation rate in their respective towns.