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Board of Selectmen Records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: TC002

Scope and Contents

Southborough appointed its first Selectmen shortly after the town was founded in 1727. The Select Board has several important responsibilities under Massachusetts Law, which include the power to prepare the town meeting warrant or agenda, the power to make appointments to town boards and offices, the power to employ professional administrative staff and town counsel, and the authority to grant licenses and permits. The Select Board also sets policy and strategic direction, coordinates the activities of other boards, and hears appeals and resolves problems that have not been settled at lower levels.

Dates

  • Creation: 1761 - 2023

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research. Whenever possible, digital surrogates must be consulted in lieu of the original documents to prevent unneccesary handling and mitigate wear. Research is accommodated by appointment only. Please call (508) 485-0710 x 3005 to make an appointment, or send an email to: [email protected]

Extent

7.5 Cubic Feet (59 bound volumes, 18 file folders, and 15 digital files)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The Selectmen Records are organized into five series:

  • Series 1: Petitions and Findings (1761-1800)
  • Series 2: Meeting Minutes (1883-2023)
  • Series 3: Reports & Accounts (1886-1931)
  • Series 4: Appointments of Town Officials (1877-1945)
  • Series 5: Licenses (1902-1993)

  • Within each series, materials are organized chronologically.

    Related Collections

    Some records of appointments made by the Selectmen can also be found within the Town Clerk Filings collection. Also see the collection: Chattel Mortgages, 1883-1961. Chattel Mortgages (Vol. 4), 1883-1896 was used to record Appointments of Railroad Police,1883 (pg. 200-201).

    Title
    Board of Selectmen Records, 1761-2023
    Subtitle
    TC002
    Status
    Completed
    Author
    Jeremy G. Berry-Cahn, Archivist
    Date
    October 18, 2022
    Description rules
    Describing Archives: A Content Standard
    Language of description
    English
    Script of description
    Latin
    Sponsor
    James F. Hegarty, Town Clerk

    Revision Statements

    • November 24, 2024: Converted to EAD

    Repository Details

    Part of the Southborough Town Clerk’s Office Municipal Archive Repository

    Contact:
    17 Common Street
    Southborough MA 01772 United States
    (508) 485-0710