selectmen

Selectmen are elected officials who serve on the board of selectmen, the executive body in the government of many towns, especially in New England. The board is responsible for implementing policies adopted by the legislative authority, administering town services, and overseeing day-to-day operations. In most communities the board consists of three to five members elected at large, with terms typically two to three years. Some towns adopt gender-neutral terminology such as “select board” or “board of selectmen.”

Duties and powers typically include setting policy and fiscal priorities, approving budgets, signing warrants for expenditures, and appointing or hiring key officials such as a town administrator, police or fire chiefs, and other department heads. The board may oversee town departments, negotiate contracts, and grant licenses within its jurisdiction. It can appoint committees, establish meeting agendas, hold public hearings, and represent the town in intergovernmental matters. In towns that operate under a town manager or administrator, the selectmen often set policy while delegating daily administration to the professional manager.

Relationship with the town meeting and other bodies varies by jurisdiction. In many New England towns, the town meeting is the legislative body, and the selectmen function as the executive arm that carries out its decisions and oversees administration. The exact powers of a board of selectmen are defined by state statutes, local charters, and town bylaws, which can differ significantly.

History and notes: The office originated in colonial self-government and has persisted as towns expanded. Some communities have migrated toward a “select board” model or adopted professional town management, while others retain a traditional board of selectmen with varying levels of administrative authority.