Town of Middleton, MA: General Powers

A select board of 5 members shall be elected for 3-year overlapping terms. The regular election for the office of the select board shall be held in accordance with chapter 3 of this charter.

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Vacancies in the office of the select board may be filled by special election in accordance with the provisions of the General Laws.

§ 4-2 General Powers

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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 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.

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The 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 Board shall be effective only if such appropriation shall be made by the Town Meeting.

§ 4-3 Powers of Appointment

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The Board shall have the powers of appointment as provided in Chapter six of this Charter.

§ 4-4 Powers of Investigation

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The select board may make investigations and may authorize the town administrator or other agent to investigate the affairs of the town and conduct of any town board, department or office including any claims against the town. For this purpose, the select board may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony and require the production of evidence.

§ 4-5 Administrative Reorganization

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Subject only to express prohibitions in the Constitution and General Laws and provisions of the Charter, the Town Meeting may, by By-law, reorganize, consolidate, or abolish any Town agency, in whole or in part; establish such new Town agencies as it deems necessary or advisable and may prescribe the functions of any such Town agency; provided, however, that no function assigned by the Charter to a particular Town agency may be discontinued except by Charter amendment.