Source: http://www.vermont-archives.org/elections/candidates/local-office-descriptions.aspx
Timestamp: 2014-07-30 00:54:24
Document Index: 436586449

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1061', '§ 2649', '§ 3102', '§ 5431', '§ 6', '§ 2646', '§ 2646', '§ 4502', '§ 871', '§ 601', '§ 871', '§ 1033', '§ 1232', '§ 4323', '§ 3381', '§ 4341', '§ 2646', '§ 2651', '§ 1131', '§ 2641', '§ 2102', '§ 871', '§ 2646', '§ 2431', '§ 2646', '§2646', '§ 2652', '§ 871', '§ 4448', '§ 4460']

Local Office Descriptions | Elections | Vermont Secretary of State
» Local Office Descriptions
President Teddy Roosevelt said, almost a century ago that “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” When he included these words in his speech at the state fair in Syracuse, New York in 1903, he could have been speaking of Vermont’s many hardworking local officials. Every day, municipal officials devote their free time to everything from hearing zoning disputes and writing land use plans, to assessing the value of property in the town and collecting delinquent taxes. They serve for the chance to “work hard at work worth doing.” Without them, our communities would not function and our system of self government would come to a standstill.
Serving in local office is a great way to give something back to your community. If you are considering serving, below are the offices you can choose to from:
Agent to Convey Real Estate (appointed)
Executes the deeds on behalf of the town. 24 V.S.A. § 1061
Auditor (elected)
Review and audit all town accounts and prepare the annual town report. Should be very detail oriented. Good writing skills are a plus. 17 V.S.A. § 2649
Building Inspector and Deputy Inspector (appointed)
Appointed only in towns that have adopted a building code. Performs inspections and enforces the local building code. 24 V.S.A. § 3102, 3103, 3108
Cemetery Commissioner (elected)
Responsible for the care and management of the town’s cemeteries. If no cemetery commissioners are elected, the selectboard fulfills this role. 18 V.S.A. § 5431 et seq
Chairperson for Civil Defense (appointed)
Responsible for the organization, administration, and operation of the local committee that is formed for emergency management in the town or city. The emergency management chairperson is under the direct control of the selectboard but may coordinate his or her emergency management efforts with neighboring towns and cities, and with the state emergency management division and the federal government. 20 V.S.A.§ 6
Collector of Current Taxes (elected)
Collects the taxes for the town. In many towns this function is performed by the treasurer or town manager. Should be detail oriented and good with numbers. 17 V.S.A. § 2646(8)
Collects delinquent taxes for the town. Should be good with numbers and also able to work with people who are in difficult circumstances. Should also have thick skin. 17 V.S.A. § 2646(9)
Conservation Commission Members (appointed)
Inventory the natural resources of a community and purchase and administer municipal lands for the purpose of conservation. 24 V.S.A. § 4502
Fence Viewers (appointed)
Three viewers are appointed by the selectboard each year. When called upon, they examine fences and other boundaries within the town. 24 V.S.A. § 871
Health Officer (appointed)
Appointed by the commissioner of health to a three-year term after recommendation by the town selectboard. Enforces the rules and regulations for the prevention and abatement of public health hazards. 18 V.S.A. § 601
Inspectors of Lumber (appointed)
Appointed, upon request, to examine, measure, and classify the quality of lumber, shingles, and wood sold within the town. 24 V.S.A. § 871
Inspector of Wiring (appointed)
Inspects electrical wiring in buildings on request of the selectboard. 24 V.S.A. § 1033
Municipal Manager (appointed)
If the manager system has been adopted by the electorate, the town manager is the official administrator of local government and has general supervisor of the affairs of the town. 24 V.S.A. § 1232, 1233
Patrolmen (elected)
Patrols town highways under the direction of the selectboard—if the town so orders. (Generally not an active position.) 17 V.S.A. 2646(15)
Planning Commissioners (appointed or elected)
Appointed unless town votes to elect. Duties include preparing a municipal plan; making recommendations on matters of land development, conservation, and preservation; and participating in a regional planning program. Makes site plan and subdivision permit decisions unless there is a development review board in town. Should have a good working knowledge of all aspects of the town and be able to listen to many sides of an issue. 24 V.S.A. § 4323
Poundkeeper (appointed)
Cares for the animals that are impounded within the town. 20 V.S.A. § 3381
Regional Planning Commission Representative (appointed)
Helps develop the regional plan and assess municipal land use plans. 24 V.S.A. § 4341 et seq.
Road Commissioners (elected or appointed)
Can be elected or appointed. Has no independent authority, but can assist the selectboard in overseeing town highways at the request of the board. Should have experience with town highways and be a good communicator. 17 V.S.A. § 2646(16); 17 V.S.A. § 2651
Town Administrator (appointed)
Hired by the selectboard, the town administrator, sometimes called the administrative assistant to the selectboard, assists the selectboard in managing the business of the town. The town administrator has no independent statutory authority. The scope of his or her duties is determined by the selectboard.
Town Energy Coordinator (appointed)
Responsible for developing the town energy plan and conducting the town energy audit. 24 V.S.A. § 1131
Town Forest Fire Warden (appointed)
Appointed by the fire commissioner with the approval of the selectboard. Prevents forest fires in the town by enforcing the laws designed to prevent forest fires. 10 V.S.A. § 2641
Town Services Officer (appointed)
Appointed on or before April 15th of each year. Assists individuals within the town who require emergency food, fuel, or shelter assistance when the Vermont Department of Social Welfare is not available. 33 V.S.A. § 2102 et seq.
Town Tree Warden (appointed)
Plans and implements a shade tree preservation program for the purpose of shading and beautifying public places. Removes diseased, dying, or dead trees; which create a hazard to public safety or threaten the effectiveness of disease or insect control programs. 24 V.S.A. § 871
Trustee of Public Funds (elected)
Manages, invests, and reports on real and personal property held in trust by the town. This includes cemetery trust funds. Should like investing money. 17 V.S.A. § 2646(12); 24 V.S.A. § 2431 et seq.
Trustee of Public Money (elected)
Oversees “United States Public Money” received under the Act of 1836 held by the town. (It is unlikely any Vermont town still has these funds.) 17 V.S.A. § 2646(13)
Water Commissioners (elected or appointed)
Water commissioners supervise the town’s water department by establishing water rates, and all the rules and regulations for the control and operation of the department. Should be a good manager and detail oriented. 17 V.S.A.§2646(17); 17 V.S.A. § 2652
Weighers of Coal (appointed)
Serves as a referee over weights of contested loads of coal. 24 V.S.A. § 871
Appointed by the planning commission with the approval of the selectboard. Approves or denies applications for zoning permits. Administers the municipal bylaws literally. Enforces regulations pertaining to the zoning ordinance. 24 V.S.A. § 4448
Zoning Board of Adjustment or Development Review Board Members (appointed)
Holds hearings and makes decisions on land use permit applications and appeals from decisions of the zoning administrator. 24 V.S.A. § 4460