A select board of 3 members shall be elected for 3-year overlapping
terms. The regular election for the office of a member of the select
board shall be held in accordance with chapter 8.[1]
All executive powers of the town, except as otherwise provided in
this charter, shall be vested in the select board. It is the intent
of this section that the select board shall exercise control over
town affairs by recommending major courses of action to the town meeting
and by setting policies to be carried out by the town administrator
and other officers, boards and commissions appointed by the select
board.
The select board shall have the power to enact rules and regulations
relating to the conduct of town elections and for the establishment
of town policies not otherwise governed by statute, this charter or
by-law; provided, however, that whenever an appropriation shall be
necessary to implement such action, the vote of the select board shall
be effective only if such appropriation shall be made by the town
meeting.
The select board may make investigations and may authorize the town
administrator or other agent to investigate the affairs of the town
and the conduct of any town department, office or agency, including
any doubtful claims against the town. For this purpose, the select
board may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony and
require the production of evidence. The report of such investigation
shall be placed on file in the office of the town administrator and
a report summarizing such investigation shall be printed in the next
annual town report.
Except as otherwise provided by the General Laws, any function assigned
to a particular department, office or agency may be assigned to another
by vote of the town meeting. Any article providing for such a reorganization
shall be considered previously and a recommendation issued thereon
by the select board.