Resources for Board & Committee

Congratulations on your Appointment or Election to a Board or Committee!

The Town of Shelburne relies on our elected and appointed officials for much of the Town’s important business. As a member of a public body, you must comply with state and local requirements. This page will give you the resources of what first steps you must do as a municipal official and link to resources and staff who can help you with any questions.

OATH OF OFFICE

Before you can attend your first meeting as an elected or appointed official, you must have an appointment letter from the appointing authority and take the oath of office. Contact the Town Clerk to make an appointment: Townclerk@townofshelburnema.gov

Guide for Members of Public Boards and Commissions - provided by the Inspector General’s office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

As a member of a board or committee, you are considered to be an "employee of a municipality" by the State Ethics Commission. All municipal employees are required to take the Conflict of Interest Law Online Ethics Training within 30 days of beginning public service and every two years thereafter. You must submit your Completion Certificate for this training to the Town Clerk’s Office, and should also keep a copy for yourself.

Additionally, as per state law you will be emailed the conflict of interest law annually for your review.

• Conflict of Interest Law Online Training
• Summary of the Conflict of Interest Law for Municipal Employees
• Link to State Ethics Commission

OPEN MEETING LAW

The Open Meeting Law specifies that all deliberations of a public body be conducted in a meeting open to the public and includes requirements for posting of meeting notices and agendas and how to generate and approve minutes.

Within two weeks of your election or appointment or when you took the oath of office (whichever is later), you must complete a Certificate of Receipt of Open Meeting Law Materials. Please see the links below for materials and certificate, submit this certificate to the Office of the Town Clerk.

• Attorney General’s Open Meeting Law Guide (PDF)
• Certificate of receipt for Open Meeting Law Materials (PDF)
• Complaint Form and Instructions
• Updated Guidance: Public Meetings pursuant to the Act Extending Certain COVID-19 Measures

RESOURCES FOR CONDUCTING MEETING

• Public Body Checklist - Preliminary Screening Committees
• Public Body Checklist - Executive Session
• Public Body Checklist - Notice
• Public Body Checklist - Minutes

PUBLIC RECORDS LAW

• A Guide to Massachusetts Public Records Law

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF)
• Department of Local Services Municipal Finance Training and Resource Center
  General information for local officials and others interested in municipal government. Plethora of videos, best practices, sample workflows, and ability to view previous virtual seminars and trainings.
• Massachusetts Municipal Association - MMA
  The Town of Shelburne is a member community of the MMA.
  • MMA’s Resource Library
    Over 600 helpful resources for local leaders
  • Massachusetts Select Board Association
    Trainings, handbook, webinars, events
  • Association of Town Finance Committees
    ATFC Handbook, events