The Select Board shall exercise general supervision over all matters affecting the general and financial interest and welfare of the Town.
In accordance with and to implement the Select Board Members' responsibilities under applicable laws, the Select Board shall bear the titles "Police Commissioners" and "Fire Commissioners" when exercising their responsibilities relating to the Town's Police Department and Fire Department, respectively. The Select Board Members' responsibilities and authority are not enhanced, diminished, or altered in any fashion from those that exist under applicable laws by virtue of bearing such titles, nor shall the Board be involved in the day-to-day administration, operations or management of the Police and Fire Departments.
A. 
The Select Board may institute, prosecute, defend, compromise and settle claims, actions, suits or other proceedings brought by, on behalf of, or against the Town; provided, however, that it shall act upon advice of counsel when the amount to be paid in any settlement exceeds $1,000. It may employ special counsel in suits by or against the Town and whenever it deems it necessary.
B. 
In the resolution of any claim involving allegations of racial or sexual harassment sounding under MGL c. 151B; MGL c 214, § 1C; or 42 U.S.C. § 2000e (Title VII); or police misconduct sounding under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the Town shall not require as a condition for settlement, nor condition any offer, upon an agreement that the claimant shall refrain from any statement concerning the terms of a settlement or the underlying claim, and the Select Board shall not enter into any agreement to resolve any such claim in which the Town has sought such a condition.
C. 
Provided, however, that in the case of claims described in the preceding subsection, the Town may accept offers from the claimant(s) that are conditioned upon an agreement that the parties refrain from publicizing the facts and events that gave rise to the claim(s).
D. 
Within 90 days of the close of the fiscal year, the Town shall report on the Town website all claims resolved for a sum greater than $25,000 during such fiscal year by providing the name of the Town department(s) involved, the nature of the claim(s) and the amount of the settlement(s).
The Select Board Members may appear (either personally or by counsel) before any committee of the legislature, or board or commission, to protect the interests of the Town, but are not authorized by this by-law to commit the Town to any course of action.
Except as otherwise provided by law or the by-laws of the Town, a committee appointed by the Select Board may request that the Select Board Members appoint associate members. Such request shall contain a list of persons recommended for associate membership. The Select Board may act upon such request and may appoint one or more of the persons named on the list. Associate members shall be appointed and serve for a one-year term and shall be nonvoting members of the committee. The number of associate members on a committee shall not exceed 2/3 of the number of voting members on that committee.
[Amended 11-18-2025 STM by Art. 4]
A. 
Eligibility. For purposes of determining the eligibility of a Select Board Member for health benefits pursuant to MGL c. 32B, (i) all payments received by a Select Board Member from the Town in connection with their serving as a Select Board Member, including but not limited to receipt of any annual stipend, shall be for the reimbursement of expenses and shall not constitute "compensation," regardless of how such payments may otherwise be designated or treated by either the Town or such Select Board Member, and (ii) the duties of a Select Board Member do not require 20 hours or more, regularly, in the service of the Town during the regular workweek.
B. 
Effective date. This by-law shall take effect on July 1, 2009.