Mike Perrault for Rindge Selectman

Key Responsibilities of a Selectman

Selectmen are not legislators—they do not create laws—but they oversee town operations, approve budgets, and make policy decisions that affect residents’ daily lives.

A Selectman’s role is guided by New Hampshire state laws and municipal regulations, ensuring that town governance remains transparent, accountable, and legally sound. Some of the core responsibilities include:

Financial Oversight & Budgeting

As outlined in RSA 32, Selectmen oversee the town’s financial health, approve the municipal budget, and ensure that taxpayer dollars are allocated responsibly.

Policy & Administration

Under RSA 41, the Board is responsible for managing town affairs, setting policies, and ensuring that town services function effectively.

Personnel Oversight

Selectmen appoint and oversee the Town Administrator (RSA 37), who is responsible for carrying out board directives, and work with department heads to ensure operational efficiency.

Infrastructure & Planning

Maintaining town-owned roads, buildings, and facilities while planning for future capital investments. Selectmen ensure compliance with RSA 674, which governs land use and planning in New Hampshire.

State Advocacy & Representation

The Selectmen also serve as Rindge’s voice at the state level, advocating for policies that benefit the town and ensuring that local concerns are heard in Concord.

Community Engagement & Public Trust

Holding public meetings, responding to resident concerns, and ensuring that decisions are made openly and transparently in accordance with New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know Law (RSA 91-A).

Decorum, Civility, & the Role of Leadership

A Selectman must lead by example, fostering respectful discourse and ensuring that town government operates with professionalism and integrity. The Board serves the entire community, which means representing all residents fairly, impartially, and with a commitment to civil engagement.

Public service is about working together, even when opinions differ. Rindge deserves leadership that prioritizes cooperation over conflict, thoughtful discussion over division, and solutions over rhetoric. As a Selectman, I will ensure that board meetings are conducted with professionalism, public concerns are heard, and all residents feel that they have a stake in their town government.

A Commitment to Good Governance

A good Selectman must balance town needs with fiscal responsibility, progress with preservation, and community input with decisive action. The role is not about personal power - it is about managing the town effectively and ensuring that decisions serve the interests of all residents.

If elected, I will prioritize smart financial decisions, responsible town planning, and clear communication with residents. My goal is to ensure that Rindge is well-run, well-prepared for the future, and always putting the needs of its people first.