At each biennial town election, a First Selectman shall be chosen by the electors of the town as provided in Chapter III of this Charter. The First Selectman shall be the chief executive officer of the town and shall receive such compensation as shall be recommended by the Board of Selectmen and approved in the annual budget. Said First Selectman shall be a full voting and participating member of the Board of Selectmen and shall preside, when present, at meetings of said board. The First Selectman, or another Selectman designated by the First Selectman shall be an ex-officio member of all other town boards, commissions, and agencies and shall receive such advance notification of any such meeting as is given to the members of said bodies. He or she shall have the full right of participation in discussions but shall not have the right to vote. [Amended 11-5-2024]
The First Selectman shall have all the powers, duties and responsibilities conferred upon that office by law, which are not inconsistent with this Charter. The First Selectman shall have all the powers necessary or incidental to the discharge of the First Selectman’s duties and responsibilities as set forth in the town’s Position Description 109. The First Selectman, as the chief elected official, may represent the town at local, regional or statewide meetings, events or various committees or task forces. [Amended 11-5-2024]
The First Selectman, under the general policy direction of the Board of Selectmen, shall be responsible for:
(a) 
Providing guidance to the Town Administrator in the coordination and administration of the town’s agencies and departments, except those functions expressly reserved or delegated to such agencies or departments by Connecticut General Statutes.
(b) 
The implementation of ordinances, resolutions, policies, and other actions voted by the Board of Selectmen, or at Town Meeting.
(c) 
The continuous review of current and future needs of the Town. The First Selectman may require reports and information to be submitted by the Town Administrator, or agencies or departments reporting to the Administrator.
(d) 
Preside over the meetings of the Board of Selectmen, when present, and prepare the agenda in conjunction with the Town Administrator.
The Deputy First Selectman shall serve as Acting First Selectman in the event of the temporary absence or temporary disability of the First Selectman. The Deputy First Selectman as Acting First Selectman shall have all the powers of the First Selectman except powers of appointment. In the event the First Selectman is unable to serve for reasons of medical disability as determined by the remaining members of the Board of Selectmen, the Deputy First Selectman shall serve and in any such circumstance the Deputy First Selectman shall have all the powers of the First Selectman, including powers of appointment. [Amended 11-6-2007]