Only the treasurer can sign checks to pay the town’s bills. The treasurer, however, cannot release any funds until the warrant is prepared by the accountant and approved by the selectmen or, in some towns, the town manager or administrator. This role of the board of selectmen affects the town’s payroll as well as its providers of goods and services. Other boards, committees, department heads and town officials may approve whatever payrolls and bills they wish—and certainly they should be required to do so before the warrants come to the selectmen—but the bills cannot be paid until the selectmen and town accountant sign off on them. Selectmen should rely on department heads to monitor day-to-day spending and make recommendations, but the power to delay or veto expenditures gives the board an important role in overseeing the operation of the town.

The above is from the most current Handbook for Selectmen.

Jeff Bennett