DESCRIPTION  SELECTMEN OFFICE

 

The Town of Bethlehem operates under the Selectman-Board of Finance-Town Meeting form of government.  The Selectmen have limited legislative powers: They convene the town meeting and assist in drafting ordinances which the town meeting adopts. 

 

Selectmen are the principal administrative officials of the town. They are responsible for the building and maintenance of roads.

Selectmen keep the town's financial records, are responsible for the administration of the town welfare services, and they  appoint people to administrative boards and commissions. 

 

The duties and responsibilities of the Selectmen are varied and wide-ranging.  While most of the day-to-day work is done through managers who report to the First Selectman,  policy and procedural matters are handled by the board, sitting in public meetings. There are always special periods during each meeting when concerns of the public may be voiced.

Adapted from 2014 Voices bethlehem Town Guide