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Town Government

Rockport Select Board

About the Board

The Select Board is elected town-wide, so every Rockport voter helps choose all five, and each serves a three-year term on a staggered schedule that puts a couple of seats on the ballot each spring. The board sets town policy, signs the warrants that decide what Town Meeting gets to vote on, appoints residents to many town boards, and hires and supervises the Town Administrator who runs the town day to day. When a daily problem becomes town policy, this is the room where it happens.

  • Sets policy and direction for the whole town.
  • Hires the Town Administrator and holds that office accountable.
  • Controls the warrant, deciding what business reaches Town Meeting for a vote.

Board Members

All five members are elected town-wide. After each annual town election the board reorganizes and chooses its own officers. Paul F. Murphy chairs the board, with Don Southard as Vice-Chair.

Chair

Paul F. Murphy

Vice-Chair

Don Southard

Member

Ross C. Brackett

Member

Laura Evans

Member

Dwight Valentine

The town routes contact to board members through the Select Board office, which can be reached at 978-546-6786. Member listings are posted at rockportma.gov.

Meetings & How to Participate

  • When: at 6 p.m. on alternating Tuesday evenings at Rockport Town Hall, 34 Broadway. The town posts each agenda in advance.
  • Agendas & minutes: posted in advance on the town website at rockportma.gov.
  • Public comment: residents may address the board. Check the agenda for the procedure.
  • Town Meeting: for the budget and bylaws, the deciding vote belongs to the registered voters in the hall, which can include you.

Public hearings and meetings are where residents shape town decisions.

Public Hearings & Civic Engagement