Known as the BET, this group of 12 members–volunteers elected for a two-year term–holds the town’s purse strings. They are responsible for the oversight of the town’s financial affairs, they prepare the town annual budget, and subject to the approval of the RTM, they set the tax rate. The town Committee of each party nominates a slate of six candidates. Unaffiliated candidates may qualify by petition.

As the town grew larger, the Town Meeting gave way to the RTM. The RTM is the town’s legislative body. It consists of 230 members who are elected by the voters in each of the town’s 12 districts. Members serve for a two year term which begins on January 1 following their election. RTM candidates run without party identification. Each RTM district elects a member as a delegate and an alternate to one of the standing committees: Appointments, Budget Overview, Education, Finance, Health and Human Services, Land Use, Legislative and Rules, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Town Services and Transportation. In addition, the RTM appoints two special committees, one to help negotiate Labor Contracts and one to help negotiate Claims against the town. Any registered voter in Town may run as a candidate in his or her district. To be on the ballot for the RTM, obtain a petition from the Town Clerk, gather the signatures of at least 25 registered voters and submit it to the Town Clerk by mid-September.

There are a number of independent boards and commissions which are completely volunteer and yet have great power in how the town runs. The town relies on these volunteers to make the governance of our town work.

Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Alarm Appeals Board

Architectural Review Committee

Board of Channel 79

Board of Ethics

Board of Health

Board of Nathaniel Witherell

Board of Parks & Recreation

Board of Social Services

Building Code Board of Standards & Appeals

Commission on Aging

Conservation Commission

Historic District Commission

Housing Authority

Inland Wetlands & Water Courses Agency

Planning & Zoning Commission

Planning & Zoning Board of Appeals

Selectmen’s Nominations Advisory Committee

Shellfish Commission

Volunteers who wish to serve on one of these Boards or Commissions should attend one or more meetings (they are open to the public) and then send a resume or a Self Nomination Form to a member of the Board of Selectmen or to a member of the Selectman’s Nominations Committee. Candidates selected by the Board of Selectmen are interviewed by the RTM Appointments Committee and one or more of the other standing RTM committees. The nomination is then brought to the RTM for a vote.

Join this non-partisan, political organization and you are bound to meet dynamic, dedicated, brilliant volunteers with the mission to encourage citizens to understand and participate in government and to influence public policy by education and advocacy. They sponsor pre-election candidate debates and publish the Voters’ Guide, which comes out election week. They have panel discussions on issues of importance to the town and informative lunches. Even if you have only a small amount of time available, this group heartily welcomes you.

This is a local chapter of the National Organization, NOW, founded in 1966 with the purpose of bringing equality to all women in areas such as jobs, pay, credit, political power and reproductive rights.

This organization has the primary purpose of educating women about Republican principles and promoting women in government.

This is the Republican political organization responsible for nominating candidates to municipal and state ballots, raising funds and running election campaigns.