Sharon Government
The 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts are governed by state law, town charter, and general by-laws. Sharon has a Representative Town Meeting with the Select Board and Town Manager serving as the overseeing entities. For other types of municipal government in Massachusetts, see this summary from the Mass Municipal Association.
Town Meeting
The Legislative body of the Town of Sharon, which votes to appropriate funds to run the Town, sets salaries for elected officials, and votes on the Town’s local by-laws.
The Town of Sharon has an Open Town Meeting form of government, which means all registered voters can take part.
The Town of Sharon’s annual Town Meeting is held each spring at Sharon High School.
A Warrant listing all the articles before the voters is published in advance and distributed to residents as well as posted online. Past warrants are available at the Town Meeting Warrants Webpage.
Results of past Town Meetings are available in the annual Town Reports, which can be found at the Town Reports Webpage.
Overseeing Entities
Board of Selectmen
The Executive body of Sharon’s Town government is the Select Board. This board consists of five members elected for three years, with overlapping terms. Meetings are held twice per month at the Town Hall, unless otherwise announced. The Select Board, as the chief elected officials, have general supervision over all matters that are not specifically delegated by law or vote to some other officer or board.
Town Manager
The Town Manager is appointed by the Select Board and serves as the chief executive officer of the Town. The Town Manager is responsible for day-to-day administration, appointing and supervising most Town employees, and implementing policies set by the Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting.
Town Boards
Sharon Elected Town Boards (number of members/term)
- Select Board (5/3-year)
- Board of Assessors (3/3-year)
- Sharon Housing Authority (4/5-year; 5th member appointed by State)
- Planning Board (5/5-year)
- School Committee (7/3-year)
- Trustees of the Public Library (6/3-year
Sharon Elected Individuals
- Town Moderator (3-year)
- Town Clerk (3-year)