• Dear Strafford Residents,

In the recent months, Strafford Selectboard members have seen a significant increase in requests for involvement in matters beyond the board’s purview. We think it might be useful to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the Selectboard. 

 

The Selectboard is at the center of Vermont’s local government. It is the body that has general supervision and control over the affairs of the town. 24 V.S.A. § 872. The Selectboard performs three functions:

• legislative (enacts local ordinances, regulations and policies);

• administrative (prepares and presents the budget, oversees all town expenditures, supervises personnel and controls town buildings and property); and

• quasi-judicial (determines private rights in such areas as laying out, discontinuing and reclassifying highways, holds vicious dog hearings).

 

The Selectboard meets twice a month; everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend these meetings.  Please refrain from contacting Selectboard members by phone, particularly in the evening and on weekends, as individual board members are not authorized to make decisions or represent the Selectboard.  

All requests for the Selectboard’s consideration should be made in writing and sent by US mail to the Town Office or to the following email address: selectboard@straffordvt.org. Communications will be sent to the appropriate board member or liaison.   

Selectboard liaisons are available to Town staff, committee members and citizens if an issue arises outside of a normal meeting cycle. However, the liaison is not authorized to represent the board on business that must come before the board in a warned meeting.  Check the Town website, https://www.straffordvt.org, to identify the appropriate Selectboard liaison.

The Town website https://www.straffordvt.org is the best source for information about the Town’s services, policies and procedures, rules and regulations, ordinances and points of contact for municipal functions.  Check the Town website for the appropriate contact regarding your questions, and contact information for Committees, Boards and Commissions. 

 

Thank you, The Selectboard