Administration

Welcome to the Town of Hartford!


Town Manager’s Open Door – An Invitation


The Town of Hartford encourages public questions and input into everything we do. As our community grows and becomes more diverse, getting information out to and feedback from the public on fast paced complex issues continues to be our challenge – but one we welcome.

Residents and non-residents alike with questions or concerns about issues within the community or otherwise relating to town affairs of any kind are encouraged to call, e-mail, write or drop by our offices for a visit and a chance to talk about matters of interest to you. If you prefer, I would be pleased to visit you in your home or place of business at a time that is convenient to you. Members of our staff are also available to meet with you to discuss programs, policies or issues relative to their individual departments.

So, please feel free to contact me directly (802-295-9353). We look forward to working together with you to help local government serve you and the community better.

Most sincerely yours,

Brannon Godfrey

 Town Manager 

PS – Don’t forget to join us for Selectboard’s Meeting’s every other Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. at the Hartford Town Hall! Specific dates and agendas are posted on this web site.

Town Organization & Government


The Town of Hartford is organized and governed under the traditional town meeting form of government of many New England communities. This form of government is thought by many to be the purest and most direct form of democracy remaining in the United States today.

Under this form of government, residents gather each year in March to make their opinions heard and cast their votes on matters of public interest such as the Annual Budget, adoption of local ordinances, and other policy-related matters.

A nonpartisan Board of Selectboard, elected for 2- and 3-year staggered terms, is then charged with managing the affairs of the community. Generally speaking, the selectboard insure that all of the duties imposed upon the town and its other officials or staff are performed in a timely and cost-effective manner. More specifically, selectboard may enact ordinances and rules in areas including, but not limited to, the following:
  • Animal control
  • Annual operating budget and supervision of town expenditures
  • Filling vacancies for local officials
  • Issuance of licenses for various activities:
    • Junkyards
    • Liquor sales
    • Restaurants
  • Maintaining public highways
  • Managing solid waste
  • Nuisances
  • Public recreation programs
  • Short-term borrowing
  • Traffic regulation
  • Warning of the annual Town Meeting
  • Zoning bylaws

Town Manager


Hartford voters have elected to appoint a professional town manager to assist the Board of selectboard with the execution of their duties. Under this form of government, many of the day-to-day responsibilities traditionally charged to the selectboard are transferred to the person holding this position. The town manager is responsible for:
  • Administration of the annual budget
  • Enforcing personnel policies
  • Hiring and firing of staff
  • Managing the day-to-day affairs of the town
  • Setting salaries
  • Supervision of employees
The town manager also functions as the delinquent tax collector and as the director of personnel and purchasing. At all times and in all matters, the manager is subordinate to and takes direction from the Board of Selectboard.

Items Discussed at Board Meetings


The board meets every other Tuesday night to take action on a wide variety of public business. These meetings are held in the town offices and begin at 6:00 p.m. Persons wishing to have specific items considered by the board must submit these materials in writing no later than Noon on the Wednesday preceding the Selectboard's scheduled meeting. The public is welcome to attend.

Other matters of interest or concern may be forwarded directly to the town manager's office for immediate attention. Please see the town directory for office hours and telephone numbers.

Job Classification & Compensation Plan


Recommendation for the Town of Hartford is Now Available


Condrey and Associates, Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia, have provided the town with a job classification and compensation plan recommendation (PDF) based on survey's of various town's of comparable size and staffing. The information contained within this report is considered a recommendation and does not represent any decision made by the Town of Hartford or the select board. All information will be reviewed and considered in a manner consistent with that of any other matter within the Town of Hartford; fairly and without prejudice. If you cannot access this PDF, please contact the Town Office 802-295-9353 and a copy will be provided.