Selectmen are the elected representatives of a New Englandtown that compose the board of selectmen. They are usually three in number, and are usually elected every two years. They should not, however, be confused with a city council or a mayor, as nearly all New England towns are governed by Town Meeting.
The Board of Selectmen is commonly the executive arm of town governments in New England.
These men had charge of the day-to-day operations; selectmen were important in legislating policies central to a community's police force, highway supervisors, poundkeepers, field drivers, and other officials.
In larger towns, most of the selectmen's traditional powers are entrusted to a full-time town administrator or town manager.
The selectmen shall appoint their administrative employees, the town administrator, town accountant, town counsel, and the members of multi-member boards, committees and commissions except those appointed by the moderator or elected under Article 1 of the annual town meeting.
A member of the board of selectmen, the school committee, or the finance and advisory board shall, during the term for which he was elected or appointed, be ineligible either by election or appointment to hold any other town office.
The selectmen elected as provided herein shall appoint, as soon as practicable, for an indefinite term, a town administrator who shall be a person especially fitted by education, training and experience to perform the duties of said office.
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