Role of the Select Board
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Five members are elected for three-year staggered terms and must be registered voters of Wellesley.
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As the Chief Elected and Executive Officers of the Town, the Select Board (the "Board") oversees all matters affecting the interest and welfare of the community. The Board derives its authority and responsibilities from the statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Town Bylaws. The scope of the Board includes all municipal authority not specifically retained by Town Meeting (the Town's legislative body) or allocated to another elected board by state statute or Town Bylaw.
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Key responsibilities of the Select Board include:
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Appoints the Executive Director, who is the Chief Operating Officer of the Town and who oversees the Town’s finances, facilities, and information systems; coordinates Town departments; and manages the departments under the authority of the Select Board.
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Calls all Town Meetings and issues the Town Meeting warrant. The Board submits a balanced budget to Annual Town Meeting for approval and may initiate legislative policy by proposing articles for Town Meeting approval. The Board is also responsible for overseeing the actions of Town Meeting, as well as enforcement of all Town Bylaws and regulations.
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Adopting Town administrative policies, reviewing and setting fiscal guidelines for the departments, and developing the Town-Wide Financial Plan and five-year capital projects plan.
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Sets the dates for local elections and town-wide votes on referenda and funding proposals.
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Appoints members of some boards and commissions, as well as department heads under the authority of the Board, including but not limited to Financial Services, Information Technology, Fire Chief, Police Chief, Town Counsel, Zoning Board of Appeals, Historical Commission, Council on Aging, Youth Commission, Historic District Commission, Election Officers, Veterans Services Director, two members of the Municipal Light Board, and four members of the Climate Action Committee.
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Holds public hearings on important Town issues and periodic conferences with agencies under their jurisdiction and with community groups, and represents the Town before the General Court and in all regional and metropolitan affairs.
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Serves as the local licensing board responsible for issuing and renewing licenses, including common victualler, food vendor, hawkers and peddlers, liquor, lodging house, inflammables, special events, and entertainment. (See Wellesley Town Bylaws, Article 19)
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The Board generally meets bi-weekly, on Monday or Tuesday evening, unless otherwise posted. The meetings are usually broadcast live on the Wellesley Cable Channels, live-streamed on wellesleymedia.org, and recorded for later viewing at wellesleymedia.org.
League of Women Voters of Wellesley