The short answer
A selectboard is the elected governing body of a Vermont town. It's the local equivalent of a city council — except Vermont calls it a selectboard, and it runs most of the state's 251 municipalities. Your roads, your local budget, your town's tax rate — all of that goes through the selectboard.
Why does Vermont have selectboards?
Vermont's town government structure dates to the colonial era. When settlers formed communities, they elected small groups to manage public affairs. That tradition never changed. Vermont still runs most of its 251 municipalities through an elected board called a selectboard — typically 3 or 5 members, though towns with a special legislative charter may have more.
Vermont's 10 cities (Burlington, Montpelier, Rutland City, and seven others) have city councils and mayors. But everyone else — the vast majority of Vermont towns — has a selectboard.
Vermont municipalities governed by a selectboard
What does a selectboard actually do?
"Your roads, your budget, your tax rate — all of it goes through the selectboard."
A selectboard is responsible for the day-to-day governance of a Vermont town. Click each power below to see how it plays out in practice:
In practice
The selectboard proposes the budget at Town Meeting; voters approve or reject it.
In practice
90+ Vermont municipalities employ a professional town manager or town administrator hired and evaluated by the selectboard.
In practice
The #1 recurring budget line item in most small Vermont towns.
In practice
Liquor licenses, driveway permits, and special event approvals all go through the board.
In practice
The 'warning' — Vermont's word for the meeting agenda — must be posted not less than 30 and not more than 40 days before the meeting.
In practice
The board can sue or be sued on behalf of the town.
In practice
In towns without a manager, the selectboard directly supervises department heads.
How many members does a selectboard have?
Most Vermont selectboards have 3 members. Some larger towns have 5. Towns with a special legislative charter may have more — Hartford, for example, has 7. Members are elected by residents at Town Meeting in March. Terms are typically 1–3 years, staggered so the entire board doesn't turn over at once.
The board elects a Chair from among its members. The Chair runs meetings but doesn't have any additional executive power — it's a flat structure.
When and where do they meet?
Most selectboards meet twice a month, typically on weekday evenings. Meetings are public — any Vermont resident can attend and speak during public comment. Minutes are required by law to be published.
Vermont's Open Meeting Law (1 V.S.A. § 310) requires that all selectboard meetings be open to the public, with limited exceptions. Agendas must be posted 48 hours in advance.
Find your selectboard
Enter your Vermont town to see your selectboard members and contact information.
Find officials by town →