Boards and Committees

Duties and Responsibilities

(Extracted from the Town Charter*. A complete copy of the Charter may be obtained from the Town Clerk's office) Links to appropriate Massachusetts General Laws ** have been provided for your convenience.

Elected Officials

Annual Election: second Tuesday in May

Board of Selectmen

There shall be a board of selectmen consisting of five members elected by the voters of the town for three-year overlapping terms such that the term of office of at least one member but not more than two expire each year. If on the same ballot there are two or more seats vacant with varying terms of office, the longest terms of office shall accrue the candidates receiving the highest number of votes in succession.

If a vacancy occurs in the membership of the board, the remaining members shall call a special election to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. However, if a vacancy occurs less than 90 days prior to the annual election and if not less than three selectmen remain in office, the vacancy shall remain unfilled until such annual election. In no case shall a special election be held within 30 days prior to the annual election.

The board of selectmen shall be the chief policy-making body for the municipal government, except the school department. It will be the primary responsibility of the board to coordinate the long-range objectives of the town, particularly those of a comprehensive planning program, and to formulate policy for the implementation of programs necessary to fulfill those objectives, and shall report thereon semiannually to the voters. In addition, the board shall have the following powers and duties:

The board of selectmen shall be the Board of Directors of corporate Mansfield, and shall appoint a town manager as the town's chief executive and administrative officer, and it shall deal through him with town officers and employees subject to his direction or supervision.

The board shall be responsible for public safety and shall formulate policies in accordance with higher legal authority that will insure protection of the citizens from fire, crime, natural disasters, and other emergencies.

The board shall be the Public Works Commission and shall formulate policies that will insure that proper services and public facilities are provided for the citizens.

The board shall be the Municipal Electric Commission and, as such, shall be responsible for over-all policy of the Municipal Electric Department, and shall appoint the Municipal Electric Department Manager.

The board shall have the responsibility of maintaining a system of job classifications, descriptions and grades of compensation for all municipal employees, and may appoint a temporary committee consisting of at least three members to establish such a system.

The board shall determine the salaries and compensation of all town officers and officials appointed by them.

The board shall be the licensing authority for the town in accordance with the General Laws.

The board shall call elections and town meetings.

The board shall have over-all responsibility for the public funds and shall appoint a town accountant to keep, audit, and approve the accounts; the board shall inspect and approve such accounts regularly.

The board shall on a bimonthly basis conduct a joint meeting of the chairmen of all other boards, commissions and committees to discuss pertinent matters of the town.

In order to fulfill its long-range policy-making responsibility the board shall annually appoint two of its members to serve on the Capital Improvement Program Committee, and if applicable shall make appointments to regional planning organizations. Further, the board shall appoint the planning board, board of health, board of appeals, airport commission, recreation commission, conservation commission, municipal building committee, finance committee, industrial development finance authority, and council on aging.

In addition, the board shall appoint the board of assessors, registrars of voters, constables, town counsel, election officers, library trustees and veteran's affairs officer.

The board may employ such experts as it deems necessary to fulfill its obligations.

The board shall defend the interests of the citizens at higher levels of government and before quasi-public or quasi-judicial organizations, and shall represent the citizens at official ceremonies. Link to General Laws 41-20 governing board of selectmen.

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Moderator 

At the Annual Municipal Election a moderator shall be elected for a term of one year.

In the event of the absence or disability of the town moderator during a session of a town meeting, said session shall elect a temporary town moderator to serve for the duration of the session.

The moderator shall conduct annual and special town meetings. He may appoint assistant moderators as deemed necessary. He shall appoint temporary committees if so directed by vote of the town meeting. He shall exercise all the powers and duties of town moderators under the General Laws. Link to General Laws 39-14 governing town moderators.

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School Committee

There shall be a school committee consisting of five members elected by the voters of the town for three-year overlapping terms such that the term of office of at least one member but not more than two expires each year. If on the same ballot there are two or more seats vacant with varying terms of office, the longest terms of office shall accrue to the candidates receiving the highest number of votes, in succession.

A vacancy shall be filled until the next annual election by a majority vote. of a joint meeting of -the remainder of the school committee and board of selectmen. At the next Annual Municipal Election the remainder of the unexpired term shall be filled by election.

The school committee shall be the chief policy-making body for the School Department and shall appoint a Superintendent of Schools to be its chief executive officer. The school committee shall exercise all the powers and duties of school committees under the General Laws.

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Housing Authority

There shall be a housing authority consisting of five members serving five year overlapping terms such that the term of office of one member expires each year. Four of these members shall be elected by the voters of the town, and the fifth member shall be a resident of the town appointed in accordance with the General Laws. If on the same ballot there are two or more seats vacant with varying terms of office, the longest terms of office shall accrue to the candidates receiving the highest number of votes, in succession.

A vacancy in one of the elected seats shall be filled until the next annual election by a majority vote of a joint meeting of the remainder of the housing authority and board of selectmen. At the next Annual Municipal Election the remainder of the unexpired term shall be filled by election.

The housing authority, shall exercise all the powers and duties of housing authorities under the General Laws.

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Appointed Boards, Commissions, and Committees

Board of Health

Appointments shall be made by the board of selectmen for terms of three-years such that no more than two terms shall expire in any one year.

It shall be the board of health's duty to establish the health regulations of the town and to appoint a board of health agent to administer the regulations. The board of health shall exercise all the powers and duties of boards of health under, the General Laws.

Link to General Laws 111, Public Health

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Planning Board

Appointments shall be made by the board of selectmen for terms of five-years such that no more than two terms shall expire in any one year.

The board shall act as the town's review clearinghouse for municipal project plans for all public ways, utilities, lands, buildings, and other public structures. The board shall consider a such plans, and report in writing to the referring agency, the board-of selectmen, and the town manager. In addition, the board shall keep itself informed of 'and investigate and report upon any matter pertaining to the Comprehensive Plan. The board shall annually appoint two of its members to serve on the Capital Improvement Program Committee and shall annually appoint one of its members to serve on the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District Commission. The board shall exercise all of the powers and duties of planning boards under Chapter 40A and Chapter 41 Section 81 of the General Laws, except the powers and duties of Park Commissioners. Link to Chapter 41-70. Planning board; creation; duties

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Zoning Board of Appeals

the board of selectmen shall appoint a board of appeals consisting of five regular members and two alternate members for a term of three years such that no more than two terms shall expire in any one-year. The board shall exercise all the powers and duties of the board of appeal under Chapter 40A and 41 of the General laws.

Chapter 41-81Z. Board of appeals; membership; tenure; removal; vacancies; jurisdiction

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Board of Library Trustees

The board of selectmen shall appoint a board of library trustees consisting of five members for terms of three-years such that no more than two terms shall expire in, any one year.

The board of library trustees shall be responsible for the operation and administration of the Mansfield Public Library. The Mansfield Public Library Board of Trustees supervises the custody and management of the library. The Board supervises the expenditures of all money raised or appropriated by the town for its support , as well as money or property the library receives as gifts. The Board decides policy for facility use in conjunction with the Council on Aging Board; sets policy for the running of programs; and works with the Library Director and staff to meet the mission of the library as a source of information and recreational and cultural activities for the town. The Board works to ensure that the library has the means to provide quality services and resources to the community.

 The Board shall exercise all powers and duties of boards of library trustees under the General Laws except custodial services.

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Animal Welfare Committee

A permanent committee formed by the Board of Selectmen composed of five members and two alternate members appointed for terms of three years each, so arranged that the terms of as nearly equal a number of members as possible expire each year.

 The Animal Welfare Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairman and do the following:

• Recommend to the Board of Selectmen rules and regulations concerning the operation of the animal shelter, standards for the collection, care, custody and disposal of dogs at large and public nuisance dogs.

• Review the proposed budget of the Humane Officer and operating budget for the animal shelter and make recommendations to the Chief of Police/Animal Control Officer.

• Upon written request, by the Board of Selectmen, review and recommend to the Board of Selectmen, permit applications, renewal permit applications and applications to transfer ownership of existing permits, and recommend revocation of permits or licenses.

•  Recommend to the Town necessary changes in the law regarding the control of animals.

• The Animal Welfare Committee/Animal Control Officer may at anytime request the Humane Officer to inspect any commercial animal establishment or private animal holding facility.

• The Animal Welfare Committee shall interview all applicants for the Humane Officer's position, at the request of the Animal Control Officer, and recommend at least three candidates to the Animal Control Officer for the hiring of the Humane Officer.

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Board of Assessors

The board of selectmen shall appoint a board of assessors consisting of three members for terms of three years such that one term shall expire each year.

The board of assessors shall annually make a fair cash valuation of all the estates, real and personal, subject to taxation within the town. The board of assessors shall exercise all the powers and duties of boards of assessors under the General Laws 14-24

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Board of Registrars of Voters

The Board of Registrars is made up of 4 people, in accordance with Chapter 51 Sections 15 and 18 of the General Laws. Three are appointed by the Board of Selectmen and the other is the Town Clerk,

The responsibilities of the Board is as follows:

Registrars hold voting session for registering voters for upcoming elections. Voting sessions are held 20 days before elections.

Registrars also are responsible for Street List, Voting Lists, Certifying signatures for nomination papers and petitions. Conducts recount for elections.

The board shall exercise all the powers and duties of boards of registrars of voters under the General Laws, Chapter 51

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Conservation Commission

The board of selectmen shall appoint seven members for terms of four-years such that no more than two terms shall expire in any one year.

The Conservation Commission reviews applications within the framework of the Massachusetts State Regulations 310 CMR 10.00 and the Town of Mansfield Wetland Bylaw.

The conservation commission shall preserve and protect the natural resources of the town, shall have the authority to acquire and hold land, and shall exercise all the powers and duties of Conservation Commissions under the General Laws.

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Airport Commission

The board of selectmen shall appoint an airport commission consisting five members for terms of three-years such that no more than two terms shall expire in any one year.

The airport commission shall have the care, custody and responsibility for the management of the municipal airport. It shall be the commission's duty to maintain and operate the municipal airport and navigation that is both profitable for, and responsive to, the needs of the community. The commission shall exercise all the powers and duties of airport commissions under the General Laws Chapter 90 Section 51E-N, subject to the other provisions of the Mansfield Town Charter.

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Recreation Commission

The board of selectmen shall appoint a recreation commission consisting of five members for terms of three-years such that no more than two terms shell expire in any one year.

The recreation commission shall exercise all the powers and duties of recreation commissions under the General Laws, except as otherwise provided in the Town Charter.

Commissioner's decide policy for facility use; policy for the running of programs; they add or terminate programs (at the recommendation of the director); set program fees; scholarship amounts; assist w/the running of community programs (if they are available to volunteer - like the Halloween Parade, Craft show, Fishing Derby, Duck Race, etc.); meet w/residents concerning many problem and matters; approve and/or disapprove use of facilities; meet with new groups/people/leagues/etc that want to use a facility.
 

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Industrial and Development Commission

The town manager shall appoint an Industrial and Development Commission consisting of seven members for terms of three-years such that no less than two terms shall expire in any one year.

The Commission shall assist the Town Manager in his function, of development of the general economic base of the town and shall. exercise, all, the powers and duties of industrial and development commissions under the General Laws.

General Laws Chapter 40D, Industrial Development Commission

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Industrial Development Finance Authority

The board of selectmen shall appoint an industrial development finance authority consisting of five members for terms of five-years such that one term shall expire each year.

The authority shall exercise All of the powers and duties of industrial development finance authorities under the General Laws.

General Laws Chapter 40D, Industrial Development Authority

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Finance Committee

The board of selectmen shall appoint a finance committee consisting of seven members for terms of three-years such that no more than two terms shall expire in any one year.

The finance committee shall annually report to the voters on the proposed annual budget and all financial articles in any town meeting, shall be responsible for emergency transfers from the reserve fund, and shall annually appoint two of its members to serve on the Capital Improvement Program Committee. The finance committee shall exercise all the powers and duties of finance committees under the General Laws.

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Municipal Building Committee

The board of selectmen shall appoint a municipal building committee consisting of five members for terms of five-years such that one term shall expire each year. The board may further appoint, at the request of the committee, additional members as deemed necessary for the completion of a specific approved project.

The Committee shall be responsible for developing the plans for construction and originally equipping, or for structural alteration of all municipal buildings.

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Historical Commission

The town manager shall appoint to a Historical Commission seven members for three-year overlapping terms in accordance with the General Laws. The Historic Commission is charged with the preservation, protection and development of the historical or archeological assets of such city or town. The commission shall conduct researches for places of historic or archeological value, shall cooperate with the state archeologist in conducting such researches or other surveys, and shall seek to coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes, and may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which it deems necessary for its work, and other duties as described in the General Laws.

General Laws Chapter 40C establishing historic districts.

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Council on Aging

The board of selectmen shall appoint to a Council on Aging seven members to three-year overlapping terms in accordance with the General Laws.

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Housing Rehabilitation Program Advisory Committee

This new committee will be comprised of seven (7) members, as follows:

• One (1) representative from the Mansfield Fair Housing Commission
• One (1) representative from the Mansfield Planning Board
• One (1) representative from the Mansfield Zoning Board of Appeals
• The Director of the Mansfield Social Services Department
• The Executive Director of the Mansfield Housing Authority
• Two (2) citizens of Mansfield

The duties of the committee will be to:

• Generally monitor the progress of the Housing Rehabilitation Program, reviewing the project caseload from time to time, and assisting in the resolution of problems that may arise.
• Review and approve proposed Housing Rehabilitation Program Guidelines (as drafted by the staff), and to approve any later proposed revisions or additions to the guidelines.
• Approve the timeline for Program Start-up, including the date set for the Lottery.
• Review and make a decision to approve or reject requests from Housing Rehabilitation Program participants for waivers to the guidelines.
• Arbitrate disputes between program staff, participants and contractors, as part of the program’s grievance process.

The committee will meet monthly or as needed to review documents and cases with the Mansfield Community Development staff.  The Committee shall be active for the duration of the program, which is expected to be 12 to 14 months.

The Board of Selectmen is seeking two Mansfield citizens to serve on the Housing Rehabilitation Program Advisory Committee.  Applications are available at the Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall.

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