There shall be a Select Board consisting of five members elected
by the voters of the Town for three-year overlapping terms such that
the term of office of at least one member but not more than two expire
each year. If on the same ballot there are two or more seats vacant
with varying terms of office, the longest terms of office shall accrue
the candidates receiving the highest number of votes in succession.
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If a vacancy occurs in the membership of the Board, the remaining
members shall call a special election to fill the vacancy for the
remainder of the unexpired term. However, if a vacancy occurs less
than 90 days prior to the annual election and if not less than three
selectmen remain in office, the vacancy shall remain unfilled until
such annual election. In no case shall a special election be held
within 30 days prior to the annual election.
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The Select Board shall be the chief policy-making body for the
municipal government, except the school department. It will be the
primary responsibility of the Board to coordinate the long-range objectives
of the Town, particularly those of a comprehensive planning program,
and to formulate policy for the implementation of programs necessary
to fulfill those objectives, and shall report thereon semiannually
to the voters. In addition, the Board shall have the following powers
and duties:
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The Select Board shall be the Board of Directors of corporate
Mansfield, and shall appoint a town manager as the town's chief executive
and administrative officer, and it shall deal through them with town
officers and employees subject to their direction or supervision.
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The Board shall be responsible for public safety and shall formulate
policies in accordance with higher legal authority that will insure
protection of the citizens from fire, crime, natural disasters, and
other emergencies.
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The Board shall be the Public Works Commission and shall formulate
policies that will insure that proper services and public facilities
are provided for the citizens.
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The Board shall be the Municipal Electric Commission and, as
such, shall be responsible for over-all policy of the Municipal Electric
Department, and shall appoint the Municipal Electric Department Manager.
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The Board shall have the responsibility of maintaining a system
of job classifications, descriptions and grades of compensation for
all municipal employees, and may appoint a temporary committee consisting
of at least three members to establish such a system.
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The Board shall determine the salaries and compensation of all
Town officers and officials appointed by them.
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The Board shall be the licensing authority for the Town in accordance
with the General Laws.
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The Board shall call elections and town meetings.
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The Board shall have over-all responsibility for the public
funds and shall appoint a town accountant to keep, audit, and approve
the accounts; the Board shall inspect and approve such accounts regularly.
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The Board shall on a bimonthly basis conduct a joint meeting
of the chairmen of all other boards, commissions and committees to
discuss pertinent matters of the Town.
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In order to fulfill its long-range policy-making responsibility
the Board shall annually appoint two of its members to serve on the
Capital Improvement Program Committee, and if applicable shall make
appointments to regional planning organizations. Further, the Board
shall appoint the Planning Board, Board of Health, Board of Appeals,
Airport Commission, Recreation Commission, Conservation Commission,
Municipal Building Committee, Finance Committee, Industrial Development
Finance Authority, and Council on Aging.
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In addition, the Board shall appoint the Board of Assessors,
Registrars of Voters, Constables, Town Counsel, Election Officers,
Library Trustees and Veteran's Affairs Officer.
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The Board may employ such experts as it deems necessary to fulfill
its obligations.
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The Board shall defend the interests of the citizens at higher
levels of government and before quasi-public or quasi-judicial organizations,
and shall represent the citizens at official ceremonies.
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