(A) 
Elective offices. The offices to be filled by ballot of the whole town shall be, 1) a board of selectmen, 2) a board of assessors, 3) a board of public works, 4) a planning board, 5) a board of health, 6) trustees of the Veterans Memorial, 7) a school committee, 8) a moderator, 9) a town clerk, 10) a housing authority.
(B) 
Eligibility. Any registered voter of the town shall be eligible to hold any elective town office; but no elected town official shall simultaneously hold any other elected town office. This section (B) shall not apply to any person who has received or receives tenure of office under the provision of c41S19B, C of the General Laws.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Reference is to MGL c. 41, §§ 19B and 19C.
(C) 
Election. The regular election for town office shall be held annually on the date fixed by by-law.
3-2-1. 
Selectmen.
(A) 
Composition, Term of Office. There shall be a board of selectmen consisting of three (3) members elected for three-year overlapping terms, so arranged that the term of one member shall expire each year. They shall receive for their services such compensation as may annually be provided for that purpose by appropriation.
(B) 
Powers and Duties in General. The executive powers of the town shall be vested in the board of selectmen, and shall be exercised by them or jointly through the town agencies and offices. The board of selectmen shall cause the laws and orders for the government of the town to be enforced, and shall cause a record of all their official acts to be kept. In addition to aforesaid powers and duties, they shall exercise such powers and duties as are and may be provided by the General Laws, this charter, by-law and/or vote of the town meeting. The Planning Board shall be consulted for a written recommendation by the Board of Selectmen prior to any action on the use and siting of any town owned property.
(C) 
Appointments. The selectmen shall appoint, for fixed terms of one year, election officers, director of veterans' affairs, and a town counsel, and for a fixed term, as provided in Art. 4, a town administrator for a fixed term as provided in Article 4, a Facilities Manager; and for a three-year term, a town accountant. They shall appoint for fixed overlapping terms of three years, so that the term of at least one member expires each year; the members of the board of appeals, library trustees, registrars of voters, advisory board and the following commissions: conservation, recreation, historical, development and industrial, council for aging, airport, communications, and the following committees: insurance, school building, permanent site and needs, capital budget, beautification and study groups in accordance with Art. 7 hereof.
1) 
Unless otherwise provided by this Charter or by-law, they shall have the power to appoint department heads, other appointed board, commission and committee members, and other town officials and employees as authorized or as may be authorized by the General Laws, this charter, by-law or Town Meeting and for whom appointment is not otherwise provided.
2) 
In consideration of the unique historical background and the special historic significance of the town the selectmen may, with the approval of the Historical Commission, appoint a town historian for a term not to exceed seven years. The historian shall perform such duties as the Historical Commission may from time to time designate and may receive reimbursement for expenses to be within the amount so appropriated by the town meeting.
(D) 
Investigations. The board of selectmen may investigate and may authorize the town administrator to investigate the affairs of the town and the conduct of any town department, including all elected boards, offices or agencies, and any doubtful claims against the town and take any action relative thereto. The report of the results of such investigation shall be placed on file in the office of the board of selectmen.
(E) 
Building Inspection Department. There shall be a Building Inspection Department administered by the Inspector of Buildings, who shall be appointed by the Selectmen. The Building Inspection Department shall have responsibility for administration of the town building code by-law or as amended or superseded by state regulation. The local Building Inspector, Local Inspector for Wires, Local Inspector for Gas, Local Inspector for Plumbing and other inspectors as from time to time are determined necessary and their assistants shall be appointed annually by the Selectmen unless otherwise provided for by the General Laws.
3-2-2. 
Board of Assessors.
(A) 
Composition, Term of Office. The board of assessors shall consist of three (3) members elected to three-year overlapping terms, so arranged that the term of one member shall expire each year.
(B) 
Compensation. The members of the board of assessors shall receive for their services such compensation as may annually be provided for that purpose by appropriation.
(C) 
Powers and Duties in General. The board of assessors shall have all powers and duties as set forth in the applicable provisions of the General Laws or as may be authorized by this charter or by-law.
3-2-3. 
Board of Public Works.
(A) 
Composition, Term of Office. The board of public works shall consist of three (3) members elected for three-year overlapping terms so arranged that one term expires each year. They shall receive for their services such compensation as may annually be provided for that purpose by appropriation.
(B) 
Powers and Duties in General. The board of public works elected under section 3-2-3 shall be responsible for organizing and administering the following functions: construction and maintenance, highways, water and sewer systems, tree care, and parks, including landscaping and ground maintenance of all town buildings and property, and such other public works and related functions as may from time to time be vested in it through the General Laws, this charter, by-law or vote of the town meeting; and to this end the board shall, following each annual town election: (a) select from its membership a chairman, a vice-chairman, and a clerk for the ensuing year; and (b) be administratively organized into the following divisions: highway, water, trees, and cemeteries and parks. The board of public works, by a majority vote of its full membership, shall appoint a superintendent of public works for an initial term of three years and annually thereafter and shall fix his compensation within limits of an appropriation made for that purpose. The superintendent shall: (a) be especially qualified by education, training, and experience to perform the duties of the office and have such other qualifications as may be determined by by-law; (b) exercise and perform, under the board's supervision and direction, those public works functions for which the board is responsible; and (c) appoint, subject to approval by the board, such assistants, agents, and other employees as the exercise and performance of his powers, rights, and duties may require. The superintendent shall give the town a surety bond for the faithful performance of his duties in such sum and upon such conditions as the board may require; shall keep the board fully informed as to the public works needs of the town; shall keep a full and complete record of his operations; shall render to the board, as often as it may require, a full report thereon; and annually or more often shall prepare a synopsis of such reports for publication.
(C) 
Engineering Department.
1 
Organization. There shall be an engineering department administered by the Superintendent of Public Works.
2 
Duties – Administrative. The engineering department shall provide the town with engineering services by town employees and by contracting with qualified architectural/engineering firms.
3 
Duties – General. The Engineering Department shall certify that all subdivision, sewerage and other such plans and specifications required by town by-laws conform to such by-laws and shall be responsible for maintenance of assessors' and town maps and certification of plans and specifications for public works construction projects. The Engineering Department shall provide onsite inspection to assure proper construction performance in accordance with subdivision plans and site plan approvals made by the Board of Appeals. The Engineering Department shall also provide engineering and other technical assistance to the Planning Board, Board of Health, Conservation Commission, Facilities Manager or any other town board or commission, reasonably requesting such service.
A) 
The Engineering Department shall have final approval responsibility for all plans and specifications relating to new construction and/or alterations or modifications of any existing town owned structure and shall consult with the Facilities Manager on all town owned buildings.
B) 
When reasonably requested the department shall supply engineering information to the town meeting.
3-2-4. 
Planning Board.
(A) 
Composition, Term of Office. The planning board shall consist of five members elected to five-year overlapping terms so arranged that the term of one member shall expire each year.
(B) 
Compensation. The planning board shall receive for their services such compensation as may annually be provided for that purpose by appropriation.
(C) 
Powers and Duties. The planning board shall from time to time make careful studies and when necessary prepare plans of the resources, potentials and needs of the town, and upon the completion of any such study, shall submit to the selectmen and town such part or parts thereof as said board may deem advisable and from time to time may extend or perfect such plan. A master plan for the Town is to be updated or revised in its entirety every 10 years or as the Planning Board or others deem advisable out of funds to be provided by appropriation. In carrying out its tasks the planning board may employ the town Engineering Department or outside consulting firms when special skills are required.
1) 
The Planning Board, by a majority vote of its full membership shall appoint a Town Planner and staff as may be provided by appropriation.
2) 
The planning board shall regulate the subdivision of land within the meaning of the subdivision control law of the General Laws.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See MGL c. 41, §§ 81K to 81GG.
3) 
The planning board shall serve in an advisory capacity to any town department as required or requested.
(D) 
In addition to all powers and duties set forth herein, the planning board shall have all such powers and duties as set forth in applicable provisions of the General Laws or as may be authorized by this charter or by by-law.
3-2-5. 
Board of Health.
(A) 
Composition, Term of Office. The board of health shall consist of three (3) members elected to three-year overlapping terms, so arranged that the term of one member shall expire each year.
(B) 
Compensation. The members of the board of health shall receive for their services such compensation as may annually be provided for that purpose by appropriation.
(C) 
Powers and Duties in General. The board of health shall have all powers and duties as set forth in the applicable provisions of the General Laws or as may be created by by-law or this charter.
3-2-6. 
Trustees of Veterans Memorial. There shall be a board of trustees of the Veterans Memorial, which shall be elected and have the power and duties as set forth in the pertinent section of the General Laws (c41 S 105).
3-2-7. 
School Committee.
(A) 
Composition, Term of Office. The school committee shall consist of five members elected to three-year overlapping terms so arranged that the term of two members shall expire each year for each of two years and the term of one member shall expire on the third year.
(B) 
Powers and Duties. The school committee shall have all the powers and duties a school committee may have under the Constitution and General Laws of the Commonwealth, and it shall have such additional power and duties as may be authorized by this charter or by by-law. The Planning Board shall be consulted for a written recommendation by the School Committee prior to any action on the use or siting of any town owned property.
3-2-8. 
Moderator.
(A) 
Term of Office. A moderator shall be elected for a 3 year term.
(B) 
Compensation. The moderator shall receive for his/her services such compensation as may annually be provided for that purpose by appropriation.
(C) 
Duties. The moderator shall preside at all sessions of the town meetings, regulate the proceedings, decide all questions of order, make public declaration of all votes and perform such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to the office through by-law or vote of the town meeting or by this charter. In addition thereto he/she shall have the duties set forth in ch. 39, Sec.15, of the General Laws.
(D) 
Temporary Absence. The town meeting may at any session elect a moderator pro tempore to preside in the moderator's absence or if and when he/she declines to preside.
3-2-9. 
Town Clerk.
(A) 
Term of Office. The town clerk shall be elected for a term of three years. He/she shall receive for his/her service such compensation as may annually be provided for that purpose by appropriations.
(B) 
Powers and Duties. The town clerk shall have the power and duties as set forth in the applicable provisions of the General Laws and such additional power and duties as may be authorized by this charter or by by-law.
(C) 
By-Laws. All town by-laws shall be filed with the town clerk. The town clerk shall publish, and make available, at reasonable cost, copies of the by-laws and this charter to all persons requesting them.
3-2-10. 
Housing Authority. There shall be a Housing Authority, four members of which shall be elected and one member appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth which shall have the power and duties as set forth in the pertinent sections of the General Laws, as may be accepted by the town meeting.
Should a vacancy occur in any elected office, board, commission or committee, such vacancy shall be filled in accordance with the appropriate provisions of the General Laws (Selectmen c41 S10: Moderator c39 S14; Town Clerk 41 S14; all other boards and commissions c.41 S11). No vacancy shall be filled until 14 days after public notice of such vacancy.