There shall be a Board of Selectmen, consisting of five (5)
members elected by the voters for three-year terms, so arranged that
the term of office of at least one (1) member, but not more than two
(2) members, shall expire each year. As the terms of office of the
incumbent members of the Selectmen thereafter expire, candidates shall
run for the office of Selectman by the number assigned to a specific
"seat." No person may be a candidate for more than one (1) numbered
"seat" at any one (1) election. A Selectman may not hold any other
elective or compensated office under government of the Town of Charlton
during the term for which he/she is elected, nor any compensated appointive
Town office or employment for one (1) year thereafter.
The Selectmen shall have all powers and duties conferred upon
them by the Constitution and General Laws of the Commonwealth and
by this bylaw. The Board of Selectmen shall exercise a general supervision
over all matters affecting the interests or welfare of the Town, which
are not otherwise provided for. It shall have full authority as agent
of the Town to institute and prosecute suits in the name of the Town,
to appear and defend suits brought against the Town, and to appear
on behalf of the Town in proceedings before any committee or tribunal,
unless it is otherwise specifically ordered by vote of the Town or
provided by law.
The Selectmen, within seven (7) days after each Annual Election,
shall meet, elect a Chairperson and otherwise organize, and fix the
time and place of their regular meetings. They shall adopt their own
rules of procedure.
Three (3) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum, but
no resolution or vote except a vote to adjourn or to fix the time
and place of the next meeting shall be adopted by less than two (2)
affirmative votes.
The Selectmen shall have the general care and custody, direction
and management of all the property of the Town in all matters not
otherwise provided for. They shall cause their annual reports, together
with the reports of all other Town officers or boards of officers
that are required to make annual reports, to be printed and distributed
at least three (3) days before the time for the Annual Meeting.
At least a majority of the Board of Selectmen shall sign all
Town notes given by the Treasurer for money borrowed for the Town.
They shall endorse their written approval and acceptance on the bond
of the Town Treasurer and on the bond of the Town Collector before
said bonds are delivered to the Town Clerk, for his/her custody, preservation
and safekeeping. They shall keep all books, documents, and valuable
papers belonging to the Town, relating to their department in a fireproof
safe.
The Board of Selectmen shall limit their orders upon the Town
Treasurer to the amount of the respective appropriations for each
attachment, and shall draw no order for the payment of a bill which
has not been previously audited by the Town Accountant/Financial Services
Coordinator.