Local government on Cape Cod is powerful, complicated, and often poorly explained.
Most major decisions about taxes, schools, zoning, and long-term planning are made by a relatively small number of boards, committees, and voters who show up consistently.
This page gives you a clear, fact-based overview of how your town government functions — and how you can participate effectively.
1. The Foundation: Town Meeting & Select Board
Most Cape towns use one of two systems:
A. Open Town Meeting
(Used in Barnstable, Brewster, Dennis, Harwich, Mashpee, Sandwich, Yarmouth, Falmouth)
Every registered voter in town may attend and vote at Town Meeting.
Town Meeting has authority over:
- Annual operating budget
- Capital budgets
- Zoning changes
- General bylaws
- Major financial decisions
- Citizen petitions
Town Meeting is the legislative branch of your town.
If you show up, you vote. If you don’t, others decide for you.
B. Select Board
Select Board members are elected and serve as the town’s executive branch.
They handle:
- Hiring/firing the Town Administrator
- Oversight of town departments
- Setting policy direction
- Licensing (business, alcohol, etc.)
- Preparing budgets for Town Meeting
- Managing town property
Most policy starts with the Select Board and ends with Town Meeting.
2. The Town Administrator / Town Manager
The Select Board appoints a Town Administrator (or Town Manager in some towns).
They run day-to-day operations of the town.
They oversee:
- DPW (roads, snow, wastewater)
- Police and Fire (unless under separate boards)
- Budget preparation
- HR and hiring
- Contracts and procurement
- Capital projects
Think of them as the “CEO” of the town — not elected, but extremely important.
3. School Committee
The School Committee is a separate elected body with full legal authority over the school district.
They control:
- Curriculum oversight
- Superintendent hiring and evaluation
- School policy
- Budget planning (approved by Town Meeting)
- Contracts and collective bargaining
- School safety and operations
School Committees often handle the largest portion of your tax dollars.
Their decisions affect staffing, academics, transportation, buildings, and long-term education policy.
4. Finance Committee (or Appropriations Committee)
This board reviews all financial articles before Town Meeting and gives a recommendation.
Responsibilities include:
- Reviewing department budget proposals
- Evaluating fiscal impact of warrant articles
- Advising voters
- Publishing the official budget book
Their recommendation often heavily influences how Town Meeting votes.
5. Planning Board
The Planning Board controls land use — one of the most powerful levers of local government.
They handle:
- Zoning bylaws (and proposed changes)
- Subdivisions and development plans
- Site plan review
- Long-term land use planning
- Housing regulations
If an issue involves building, development, density, traffic, or neighborhood impact, the Planning Board is involved.
6. Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)
The ZBA interprets zoning rules and grants exceptions when allowed by law.
Common duties:
- Variances
- Special permits
- Appeals of zoning decisions
- Comprehensive permits (40B)
Many controversial local issues land here.
7. Other Key Boards & Committees
Depending on the town, you may also see:
- Board of Health
- Conservation Commission
- Water & Sewer Commissions
- Recreation Commission
- Shellfish/Wetlands Committees
- Historical Commissions
These groups review applications, enforce regulations, and influence many aspects of daily life.
8. How Decisions Actually Flow
A typical local decision (budget, zoning, policy) follows this path:
- Department submits request
- Town Administrator reviews
- Select Board places item on agenda
- Public meeting / hearing
- Board vote
- Finance Committee review (if money-related)
- Town Meeting final vote
Most important decisions go through several months of reviews before voters ever see them.
Knowing the process lets you get involved early — not after the decision is already made.
9. Your Rights as a Resident
You can:
- Attend any public meeting
- Speak at hearings (when allowed)
- Submit written comments
- File public records requests
- Bring articles to Town Meeting (citizen petitions)
- Run for town office
- Serve on a committee
- Vote at Town Meeting
- Sign nomination papers
- Request meeting minutes and documents
Local government is legally required to operate transparently.
Most people just don’t know how to access the tools.
10. How to Participate Effectively
Practical steps:
- Read agendas before meetings
- Bring printed notes or questions
- Cite specific documents, not opinions
- Stay within time limits
- Speak respectfully and factually
- Attend Town Meeting — every vote counts
- Join a local board or committee if you can
- Encourage neighbors to get involved
Participation at the local level has the highest impact of any form of civic engagement.
11. Learn More About Your Town
Visit your town’s dedicated page for:
- Who represents you
- Meeting schedules
- Current issues
- Budgets and warrant articles
- Contact information
- How to get involved
→ [Browse Your Town]