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Community Corner

A Look At The Leader Of Town Government

First Selectman Authority, Duties, and Responsibilities

The Chief Executive Officer of the Town of Waterford is the First Selectman.   He/She is given this title both in the Town Charter and the State Statutes.  This column will outline the authority, duties, and responsibilities of the First Selectman as detailed in the Town Charter, the Town Code of Ordinances, and State Statutes.

Charter

The Charter specifically states that “The first selectman shall be the chief executive officer of the town and shall have the powers and duties vested in the office by the general statutes.”

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The Charter then enumerates some specific responsibilities of the First Selectman.  He/She “superintends the affairs of the Town”.  The First Selectman is responsible for the “establishment, administration, and coordination” of the Town’s Capital Plan.  The First Selectman is direct administrator of all departments and agencies of the Town.  The First Selectman is required to keep the Board of Selectmen informed of his actions.  The Charter also permits the First Selectman the authority to delegate his responsibilities to other selectmen or any subordinate as permitted by law.

Ordinances

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The Town ordinances have more specifics regarding the power and responsibility of the First Selectman.

Acting for the Board of Selectman, the First Selectman is the general administrator of the Town and responsible for the operation and operating hours of the Town facilities.  The First Selectman is a member of the Police Commission.  He also is the supervisor of the Public Works Department.  He also is empowered to:

  • Appoint members to Route 11 Greenway Commission
  • Appoint members of the Conservation Commission
  • Appoint members of the Economic Development Commission
  • Represent Town in the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments
  • Appoint members of the Niantic River Gateway Commission
  • Appoint members of the Housing Partnership according to the ordinance
  • Be a member of the Housing Partnership
  • Declare a State of Emergency in Town
  • Appoint Emergency Management Director
  • Appoint members of the Emergency Management Advisory Council
  • Assign and deploy Town Equipment and Town Personnel, even to work in a different board or agency or another Town.
  • Member of Contributed Gifts Committee
  • Appoint purchasing agent
  • Supervise and implement the Fleet Management Plan
  • Appoint a town employee as the Town Safety Officer

State Statutes

Section 7 of the State Statutes covers the powers of municipalities and the duties and responsibilities of various components of municipal government.  In this section, the First Selectman is named the Chief Executive Officer of the Town and an ex-officio member of all Town boards, commissions, and agencies without a vote.  However, the statute permits the First Selectman to have a vote if so allowed by other special acts. 

The First Selectman appoints members of the Conservation Commission, the Municipal Agent for the elderly and the Municipal Agent for children.  He/She appoints members to the Conservation Commission.   The First Selectman is authorized to execute agreements with neighboring towns and cities for support of joint regional economic development and even share tax revenue.  The First Selectman is authorized to sign mutual aid agreements with other towns and cities.  The First Selectman is a member of the Town’s Planning Commission without a vote.  The First Selectman is empowered to sign municipal contracts when authorized by the Board of Selectmen.

State Statures also require the First Selectman to submit a copy of the Town budget to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and an annual report on the number of communication antennae in town to the Connecticut Siting Council.

As can be seen, the First Selectman has numerous duties and responsibilities as the Chief Executive Officer. In Waterford he/she is the sole negotiator for general government labor contracts.   The next column will review the duties and responsibilities of the Board of Selectmen.  As Chairman of that Board, the First Selectman has additional authority which will be discussed in that column.

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