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Commission <br /> <br /> The commission form of <br />government, characterized by an elected <br />governing board that holds both legislative <br />and executive powers, is the oldest form of <br />government in America. A descendent of <br />the old English shire-moot, or county <br />governing board, the board is usually <br />composed of three to five members, <br />although the number varies. <br /> The board of commissioners is the <br />county governing board, and serves as the <br />head of the government. It has <br />responsibility for adopting the budget, <br />passing resolutions, and enacting ordinances <br />and regulations. A number of other officials <br />are also popularly elected, and serve as <br />heads of some of the major county <br />departments (although the number of these <br />independently elected officials varies <br />considerably, some of the most common are <br />the sheriff, treasurer, and clerk). <br /> <br />Town' Meeting <br /> <br /> All qualified voters of the town <br />gather on a given day (usually once a year, <br />but more often if necessaw) to elect a board <br />of officers (selectmen) and to make policy <br />decisions. The board of selectmen has the <br />responsibility for carrying out the policy set <br />by the citizens. In some towns a manager or <br />administrator is appointed to carry out the <br />administrative operations of the town. <br /> <br />Representative Town Meeting <br /> <br /> The representative town meeting <br />form of government is structured in much <br />the same way as the town meeting form, <br />with the exception that a large number of <br />citizens are chosen by the general electorate <br />to represent them in voting. All citizens can <br />attend the meetings and participate in <br />debates, but only those chosen as <br />representatives have a direct vote. <br /> <br />0City/Coumy <br /> ICMA <br /> Assogl~{on <br /> <br />-42- <br /> <br /> <br />