What are the key ingredients for success as a Selectman?

Perhaps the most important ingredient, for success as a selectman, is understanding the full responsibility of the position, as well as its limitations. Selectmen serve as the civic leaders of the town. In this capacity, selectmen need to devote sufficient time to municipal issues, and also need the ability to delegate appropriate tasks and responsibilities. In general, selectmen develop policies as directed by town meeting, and the appropriate department head, board or officer within the community is responsible for administering those policies. However, selectmen also serve in a reviewing role, and as such, are ultimately responsible for the successful administration of various town policies and undertakings.

Members of the board of selectmen should be aware of the fact that they, as well as all other members of elected or appointed boards, may act in their official capacity only when in an open public meeting with a majority of the board present, or when specifically delegated by a majority of the board.

Since most boards of selectmen appoint many positions, their ability to recruit and select the best and brightest people available is another key ingredient to success. This is particularly important for any appointments in the area of financial management. The individuals who serve in positions such as treasurer, collector and accountant will determine the quality of the fiscal management of the town. For such appointed positions, it is important that the selectmen identify and document the requisite qualifications and experience, and establish specific measurements of performance, however general. The selectmen should also support fair and competitive compensation for the key fiscal officers of the town. Competitive compensation can help selectmen retain the most qualified individuals to serve in these important positions.

Selectmen should also take an active interest in the reports produced by the financial officers of the town. They should ensure that the reports are prepared and should review them with the assistance of the person or board that prepared them. Financial reports can seem overly technical and unreadable for the fiscal neophyte. However, with a minimum of help, the reports can be read and comprehended fully. For most financial officers, their job is made easier when the selectmen understand and take an active interest in the community's financial reports.

As the chief executive officers of a municipality, selectmen must be able to coordinate the activities of the various officials serving, in financial management positions. Selectmen should sponsor periodic meetings with financial officials and attempt to establish and maintain effective channels of communication. It may be constructive to establish a financial management team, with representatives from the board of selectmen, finance committee and other financial offices. This fiscal team would convene periodically to discuss the communities' overall financial management.