Board & Committee Member Information

Being involved in your Town is commendable. The Town cannot function without the many volunteers who help shape the Town.

If you are interested in being appointed, please send a letter or email of interest to the Town Administrator's Office; powersd@manchester.ma.us

If you are interested in running for elected office, please read the "how to get elected" brochure and see the Town Clerk.

If you are already appointed and/or elected, Congratulations!

New or not new to public office, there are some things you need to know. You are now a public official and are required to comply with some specific State Laws. 

PLEASE NOTE: If you do not get sworn in by the Town Clerk, you are not eligible to vote on your committee! You must get sworn in EACH time you are reappointed/re-elected for a new term.

Conflict of Interest**

The Commonwealth's Conflict of Interest Law Summary must be received upon appointment to a board/committee, and once per year thereafter. Please view the Summary here, sign and return the receipt page. If you prefer, the State Ethics Commission has determined that an email is a sufficient receipt. The Town Clerk's office is required to maintain these acknowledgements.

Every Town Employee and Committee member must complete an online test for the Conflict of Interest Law. Please read through all of the information, then complete the test at the end and then print out your receipt of completion. View the Conflict of Interest Law Online Training. You will need to bring this receipt to the Town Clerk's Office when you are sworn in.

This training is required every other year for all public officials. The Town Clerk tries to keep the Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea on an even year test year schedule. The Town Clerk will send reminders via email.

Open Meeting Law

The Open Meeting Law supports the principle that the democratic process depends on the public having knowledge about the considerations underlying governmental action. The Open Meeting Law requires that most meetings of governmental bodies to be held in public. There are some exceptions, which are designed to ensure that, public officials are not "unduly hampered" by having every discussion among public officials open to the public. As a result, the Open Meeting Law provides for particular circumstances under which a meeting may be held in executive, or closed, session.

Please read the contents of the Attorney General's Open Meeting Law Guide, execute and return the Certificate of Receipt page when you come before the Clerk to be sworn into your official duties. The Town Clerk is required to maintain these receipts. 

Board & Committee Member Handbook

This handbook provides you with important information including specifics on the Open Meeting Law and your responsibilities as a Board or Committee Member. View the Handbook and check the official statutory or regulatory authorities that govern the conduct of local officials to remain up to date.