[HISTORY: Adopted by the Annual Town Meeting of the Town of Stoughton 2-6-1939 as Art. II of the 1939 Bylaws, approved 4-3-1939 (Ch. 16 of the 1983 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 4-30-1984 ATM, Art. 43]
The Selectmen have full authority, as agents of the Town, to institute and prosecute suits in the name of the Town and to appear and defend suits brought against it, unless it is otherwise specially ordered by a vote of the Town. They may, with the advice of counsel, settle, by compromise, suits or claims.
Whenever it shall be necessary to execute any deed or any other instrument required to carry into effect any vote of the Town, the same shall be executed by the Selectmen, or a majority of them, in the name and behalf of the Town unless the Town shall otherwise vote in any special case.
[Added 3-7-1955 ATM, Art. 23, approved 6-28-1955]
The Town Manager shall appoint and the Board of Selectmen shall approve, upon application duly made, the appointment of veterans as defined in MGL c. 31, § 21, as amended, to any and all positions in the labor, official, or other service of the Town, provided that the veterans are duly qualified.
[Added 4-30-1990 ATM, Art. 2]
Unless otherwise provided by a vote of Town Meeting, the Board of Selectmen, School Committee or Chief Procurement Officer designated pursuant to MGL c. 30B is authorized to enter into any contract within his or her respective spheres of responsibility for the exercise of the Town's corporate powers, on such terms and conditions as are deemed appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Selectmen, School Committee or Chief Procurement Officer shall not contract for any purpose, on any terms or under any conditions inconsistent with any applicable provisions of any general or special law.
[Added 5-5-1997 STM, Art. 21]
The Board of Selectmen shall not enter into any binding obligations, commitments, contracts, memorandums of agreement, or formal expressions of interest which encumber the Town of Stoughton or any of its agencies, departments, boards, commission, agents, employees, or services with any regional vendors, authorities, commissions, agencies, or business enterprises for more than three years without having first received a majority vote of the Town meeting; said vote to be on an article which specifically addresses the period of the contract, financial obligation of the Town, manner of financing, managerial authority which will expend such funds, and any other relevant information which can affect the fiscal condition and liability of the Town.