Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 60 - Towns.
60.24 - Powers and duties of town board chairperson.

60.24 Powers and duties of town board chairperson.
(1) General powers and duties. The town board chairperson shall:
(a) Preside at board meetings. Preside over meetings of the town board.
(b) Preside at town meetings. Preside over town meetings as provided under s. 60.13.
(c) Sign documents.
1. Sign all ordinances, resolutions, bylaws, orders, regulations, commissions, licenses and permits adopted or authorized by the town board unless the town board, by ordinance, authorizes another officer to sign specific types of documents in lieu of the chairperson. The board, by ordinance, may authorize use of a facsimile signature under this paragraph.
2. Sign all drafts, order checks and transfer orders as provided under s. 66.0607.
(d) Assure administration of statutes. Supervise the administration of statutes relating to the town and town operations to see that they are faithfully executed.
(e) Act on behalf of board. Act, on behalf of the town board, to:
1. See that town orders and ordinances are obeyed.
2. See that peace and order are maintained in the town.
3. Obtain necessary assistance, if available, in case of emergency, except as provided under ch. 323.
(f) Act on authorization of board. If authorized by the town board, act on behalf of the board, to:
1. Direct, as appropriate, the solicitation of bids and quotations for the town's purchase of equipment, materials and services and submit the bids and quotations to the town board for approval.
2. Represent, or designate another officer to represent, the town at meetings of, and hearings before, governmental bodies on matters affecting the town.
(2) Administer oaths. The town board chairperson may administer oaths and affidavits on all matters pertaining to the affairs of the town.
(3) Other responsibilities. In addition to the powers and duties under this section, the town board chairperson has the following responsibilities:
(a) Nominate individuals for service as election officials to the town board whenever the town board disapproves the nominee of a party committee under s. 7.30 (4) and the names of additional nominees are not available.
(b) Serve as caucus official under s. 8.05 (1) (c).
(c) Sue on official bonds under s. 19.015.
(d) Execute and sign a certificate of indebtedness in connection with obtaining a state trust fund loan under s. 24.67.
(e) Serve as town fire warden under ss. 26.13 and 26.14.
(f) Appoint members of the board of harbor commissioners under s. 30.37 (3).
(g) Appoint members of library boards under ss. 43.54 (1) (a) and 43.60 (3).
(h) Exercise the powers and duties specified for a mayor under s. 62.13 if the town creates a joint board of police and fire commissioners or joint police or fire department with a village under s. 61.65 (3g) (d) 2. or a board of police and fire commissioners under s. 60.57.
(i) Provide an annual estimate of funds necessary for any utility district established under s. 66.0827 (2).
(j) Appoint, at his or her discretion, one or more commissioners of noxious weeds under s. 66.0517.
(L) If authorized by the town board, represent the interests of the town in connection with appearances before the state tax appeals commission under s. 70.64 (5).
(m) Approve the bond of the town treasurer delivered to the county treasurer under s. 70.67 (1).
(o) Sign orders for payment of work performed and materials furnished on town highways.
(p) See that all tunnels in the town are constructed under s. 82.37 and that they are kept in good repair.
(q) Serve as a member of the county highway committee under s. 83.015 (1) (d).
(r) Close county trunk highways when rendered dangerous for travel and notify the highway commissioner under s. 83.09.
(s) Appoint members to the airport commission under s. 114.14 (2).
(v) Under s. 167.10 (8), enforce regulation of fireworks under s. 167.10.
(w) Perform the town chairperson's duties related to stray animals and lost goods under ch. 170.
(x) Perform the town chairperson's duties related to distrained animals under ch. 172.
(xm) Perform the town chairperson's duties related to animals that have caused damage in the town under ch. 172.
(y) Perform the town chairperson's duties related to municipal power and water districts under ch. 198.
(ym) Cause actions to be commenced for recovery of forfeitures for violations of town ordinances that can be recovered in municipal court under s. 778.11.
(z) Notify the district attorney of forfeitures which may not be recovered in municipal court under s. 778.12.
(zm) Approve bonds furnished by contractors for public works under s. 779.14 (1m).
History: 1983 a. 532; 1985 a. 225; 1987 a. 197, 399; 1989 a. 336; 1997 a. 127, 192, 287; 1999 a. 150 ss. 10, 672; 2003 a. 214; 2009 a. 42.
NOTE: 2003 Wis. Act 214, which affected this section, contains extensive explanatory notes.
The offices of president of a common school district board and chairperson of a town board within the school district and the offices of school board member and town clerk are probably compatible. 74 Atty. Gen. 50.

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