The Select Board shall consist of five members each elected to three-year, staggered terms during Town elections. Reelection will be for three-year terms, or the balance of any term created by a vacancy/resignation.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Southampton as Art. III of the General Bylaws; amended 6-13-2021 by Art. 2. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
The Select Board shall have the authority to direct and manage the property of the Town so as to promote and maintain the general well-being of the Town except as otherwise provided by law or by these bylaws. No member of the Select Board may act on their own or engage in any business of the Town without authorization from the full Select Board.
The Select Board shall have the authority to prosecute and/or defend any legal controversy involving the Town. As agents and officers of the Town the Select Board may appoint and/or employ a Counsel for the Town and its various officers and boards. The Select Board shall also have the authority to determine the compensation for the Town Counsel. This shall not apply to such matters that are within the scope and duties of the Treasurer/Collector.
The Select Board shall appoint a Town Administrator for a period of time to be determined within contractual terms, but not more than three years per contract. The Town Administrator shall not hold an elective office in Southampton Town government.
The Select Board shall appoint, and may remove:
A.
A Chief of Police, and such other police officers as may be necessary, and make suitable regulations governing the Police Department.
B.
A Fire Chief.
C.
A Highway Superintendent, and such other Highway Department personnel as may be necessary, and make suitable regulations governing the Highway Department.
D.
A Town Accountant, and other such Accounting Department personnel as may be necessary, and make suitable regulations governing the Accounting Department.
The Select Board shall appoint and may remove, in accordance with any applicable provision of law, qualified members of committees/boards/commissions/councils/groups not otherwise elected by vote in Town elections.
The Select Board is authorized to sell and otherwise dispose of any equipment or material held by any department and that is deemed by said department to be obsolete and/or of no further use by the Town. The Select Board shall determine if the equipment or material is of sufficient value to sell, by competitive bid or auction. At least two weeks in advance of any competitive bid or auction, notices including a descriptive listing of the articles available and the time and place of such sale shall be posted in six public places (including the Town website) and at least once in a daily newspaper of general circulation. The Select Board may reject all bids determined to be inadequate or not in the best interest of the Town. Proceeds from the sale of any equipment or material are deposited into the general fund.
Unless otherwise provided by a vote of Town Meeting, the Select Board or its designee, pursuant to MGL c. 30B, is authorized to enter into any contract for the exercise of the Town's corporate powers, on such terms and conditions as are deemed appropriate. The Select Board or its designee shall not contract for any purpose, or any terms, or under any conditions inconsistent with any applicable provisions of any General Law.
The Select Board is authorized to close temporarily, or cause to be closed temporarily, any street or highway in an impending or existing emergency, or for any lawful assemblage or procession, provided there is reasonable justification for closing of such street.