Editing Select board (section)

==Present==
The function of the board of selectmen differs from state to state, and can differ within a given state depending on the type of governance under which a town operates. Selectmen almost always serve part-time, with a token or no salary. It is the chief [[executive branch]] of [[Local government in the United States|local government]] in the [[open town meeting]] form of government.

The basic function consists of calling town meetings, proposing budgets to the town meeting, setting public policy, calling elections, licensing, setting certain fees, overseeing certain volunteer and appointed bodies, and creating basic regulations.

In larger towns, the selectmen's daily administrative duties are delegated to a full-time [[town administrator]] or [[town manager]]. In some towns, the board of selectmen acts more like a [[city council]], but retains the historic name.

In some places, such as [[Connecticut]], the board is headed by a first selectman, who historically has served as the chief administrative officer of the town and may be elected separately from the rest of the board.<ref name="zimmerman.">Zimmerman.</ref>

In New Hampshire cities (which have a [[board of aldermen]] instead of a board of selectmen), a "selectman" is an elected position that is responsible for organizing elections for local, state, and federal offices. Three selectmen, a moderator, and a clerk are elected in each city ward.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/III/44/44-12.htm |title=Section 44:12 Ward Officers |website=gencourt.state.nh.us |access-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923143217/http://gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/III/44/44-12.htm |archive-date=23 September 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In Vermont towns, per state statute the Selectboard performs several ex officio roles to include: serving as the local Board of Health,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/18/011/00604|title = Vermont Laws}}</ref> Board of Liquor Control Commissioners,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/07/007/00166|title = Vermont Laws}}</ref> Board of Sewage System Commissioners;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/24/097/03506|title = Vermont Laws}}</ref> and together with the town's elected [[Justice of the peace|Justices of the Peace]], serve as the Board of Civil Authority<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/24/033/00801|title = Vermont Laws}}</ref> and Board of Tax Abatement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/24/051/01533|title = Vermont Laws}}</ref>

A rare use of the term outside New England is in [[Georgetown, Colorado|Georgetown]], Colorado, where the town governing body is called the Board of Selectmen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.town.georgetown.co.us/index.htm|title=Town of Georgetown, Home of The Georgetown Loop Historic Railroad|website=www.town.georgetown.co.us|access-date=30 April 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107021801/http://www.town.georgetown.co.us/index.htm|archive-date=2017-11-07}}</ref>