ABOUT TOWN GOVERNMENT

Barre Town government operates under provisions set forth in a charter approved by the Vermont Legislature and Governor in 1975 after approval by Barre Town voters in November 1974. The Town charter is state law, and amendments to it require another affirmative vote by Town residents and approval from the legislature and governor. A charter is like a constitution; it establishes the framework of government. Details in ordinances and policies fill out the government operation. Not all Vermont towns have a charter; towns with no charter must follow general municipal law on more issues than Barre Town.

According to Barre Town's charter, all powers (except those entrusted to other officers) are reserved for the five-member Selectboard. Election of two Selectboard members is held every year. The five seats are categorized into three 3-year seats and two 2-year seats. Also elected at the annual town meeting on the second Tuesday in May are the Town Clerk-Treasurer (3-year term), Constable, Moderator, and three Auditors (3-year terms). Justices of the Peace are also elected. These individuals, along with the Selectboard and Town Clerk, are known as the Board of Civil Authority (BCA). The BCA oversees town elections, reviews voter registration checklists, and serves as a Board of Abatement and Board of Tax Assessment Appeals.

The Selectboard is the Town's legislative body. It adopts ordinances (the laws), policies (the rules), and an annual budget. The Selectboard appoints a town manager that is selected on the basis of training, experience, education and ability to perform duties. The manager is appointed for an indefinite period of time. The manager operates and organizes such departments as the Selectboard may determine, and the manager appoints and removes all employees on the basis of merit.

Assisting the Selectboard and town staff are numerous boards and commissions. Town residents are appointed by the Selectboard to serve on these boards and commissions. Primarily their duties are advisory, but quasi-judicial and administrative duties are involved as well.

In the field of municipal government, Barre Town is known as a council-manager government because the elected governing body (Selectboard) appoints a manger who tends to day-to-day operations. Because Australian ballot is used for most election matters Barre Town has a modified town meeting.