Select Board Overview
THE SURRY SELECT BOARD – Roles, Authority, and Meeting Procedures
I. Overview
The Select Board is an elected three-member board serving as the governing body for the Town of Surry’s municipal government. Under state statute, “the selectmen shall manage the prudential affairs of the town and perform the duties by law prescribed” (RSA 41:8).
Authority rests with the board acting as a whole — one select board member acting alone has no authority (RSA 41:8). All formal actions of the Board must be taken by majority vote at a properly noticed public meeting conducted in accordance with RSA 91-A, unless a specific exception applies. Actions taken outside this process may be subject to challenge and may be invalidated by a court.
While the board’s authority to manage is broad, it is not unlimited. The town meeting appropriates money, but the Select Board authorizes and oversees expenditures within the appropriations approved by Town Meeting, consistent with RSA 41:9. If the town meeting votes to buy or sell land, the selectmen sign the deed. Most policy choices rest with the legislative body (town meeting), while the selectmen manage facilities and personnel and administer contracts to implement those policies.
III. Role of the Chair
The Chair is elected annually by the members of the Select Board at the Board’s organizational meeting following Town Election. The Chair presides over all meetings, sets the tone for orderly and productive discussion, and ensures meetings are conducted in accordance with the NH Right to Know Law (RSA 91-A).
Specific responsibilities of the Chair include:
- Calling the meeting to order and following the published agenda
- Recognizing members and members of the public to speak
- Managing public comment periods and enforcing time limits
- Ensuring all votes are properly made, seconded, and recorded
- Signing official documents and correspondence as authorized by majority vote of the Board
- Serving as the primary spokesperson and representative of the Board at public events, community functions, and before other governmental bodies
It is important to note that the Chair has no greater voting authority than any other board member and may not act unilaterally on behalf of the Board without prior authorization by majority vote. When representing the Board publicly, the Chair speaks on behalf of the Board’s voted positions, not personal views. The Vice-Chair assumes all responsibilities of the Chair in their absence.
III. Specific Statutory Responsibilities
In addition to its broad prudential functions, the Select Board has substantive authority under several specific state statutes, including:
- Financial accounting and safeguarding (RSA 41:9)
- Setting reasonable fees for regulatory programs, such as building permits, in accordance with RSA 41:9-a, or use of town facilities
- Regulation of town highways and commons (RSA 41:11)
- Managing and regulating use of town property (RSA 41:11-a)
- Enforcement of regulations (RSA 41:11-b)
- Licensing for community events (RSA 31:100), transient vendors (RSA 31:102-a), and parades, shows, and amusements (RSA 286)
- Property appraisal and taxation: overseeing the appraisal process to ensure all taxable property is inventoried and assessed, and that a warrant is issued to the Tax Collector for collection of taxes, in accordance with RSA 75 & 76
- Hazardous and dilapidated buildings and excavations (RSA 155-B)
- Establishing and amending local welfare guidelines (RSA 165:1)
- Health regulations (RSA 147)
- Layout of highways (RSA 231:28-29)
- Appointing other officials (RSA 41:18, 41:29-a, 41:38, 128:1) and filling vacancies (RSA 652:12 and RSA 669:62–75)
IV. Meeting Schedule and Location
The Select Board meets weekly on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, unless otherwise posted. Meetings are held in one of the larger public areas of the Town Hall to ensure they are open and accessible to all residents. Meetings typically conclude around 9:00 p.m., unless additional time is required to complete scheduled business. Check the town calendar or bulletin board for any schedule changes.
V. The Right to Know Law (RSA 91-A)
All Select Board meetings are public meetings conducted in compliance with the NH Right to Know Law, RSA Chapter 91-A. Any person may attend, take notes, tape record, take photographs, and videotape the meeting. The chair controls who speaks and when. Attendance does not guarantee the right to speak; public comment is permitted at the discretion of the Chair.
Votes taken in public session must be recorded, and the public has the right to know how each member voted. Votes may not be taken by secret ballot in public session.
- Core Principle (RSA 91-A:1) “Openness in the conduct of public business is essential to a democratic society. The purpose of this chapter is to ensure both the greatest possible public access to the actions, discussions and records of all public bodies, and their accountability to the people.”
VI. Agendas
The Board works from a published agenda, which is posted on the town website at Select Board Meeting Agenda. To have a matter placed on the agenda, please email (selectmen@surry.nh.gov) your topic along with any required documentation by the end of the day on Thursday preceding the Monday meeting.
Residents who wish to bring an action item before the Board that was not submitted by the cutoff are welcome to do so during the Public Comment period. Time for the topic will be limited to five minutes. If the matter requires Board action or additional review, it will be carried over to the following week’s agenda.
VII. Public Comment
Every meeting includes two public comment periods. Because public comment topics are not part of the planned agenda, and the purpose of the meeting is to conduct town business rather than serve as a public hearing, comments are limited to five minutes. If the matter requires Board action or additional review, it will be carried over to the following week’s agenda at the Board’s discretion.
VIII. Meeting Minutes
Minutes are kept for all public meetings and must be made available to the public upon request within five business days of the meeting. Minutes include the names of members present, other participants, a brief summary of subject matter discussed, the names of members who made or seconded motions, and any final decisions or actions taken. Until approved, minutes are considered draft and will be clearly noted as such. Once approved at the next regularly scheduled meeting, minutes are finalized and posted at the Town Hall and on the town website.
IX. Nonpublic Sessions
The Select Board may enter nonpublic session only for the specific reasons allowed under RSA 91-A:3, II — such as personnel matters, hiring, or matters affecting someone’s reputation. The board cannot enter nonpublic session simply to avoid public scrutiny or upon request from a member of the public. Deliberations must occur in public session unless the Board has properly entered nonpublic session under RSA 91-A:3, II.
X. Contacting the Select Board
The preferred method for contacting the Select Board is through the Board’s official email at selectmen@surry.nh.gov. Using official channels ensures that all board members are aware of your inquiry, that it is handled in a timely manner, and that the response reflects the position of the Board as a whole rather than any individual member.
Residents are welcome to attend any regular meeting to address the Board directly during one of the two public comment periods. If you have a matter requiring Board action, please submit it by the Thursday deadline to have it placed on the following Monday’s agenda.
While residents are of course free to speak with individual board members informally, please be aware that individual members have no authority to act, commit, or respond on behalf of the Board. Any matter requiring a Board decision must be brought before the full Board at a properly noticed public meeting.
XI. Board Members
|
Member |
Position |
Term Ends |
|
Jay Croteau III |
Chair |
2029 |
|
Ron Profaizer |
Vice-Chair |
2027 |
|
Steve Goldsmith |
Member |
2028 |
Contact Information
Email: selectmen@surry.nh.gov
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