Government

Ellington is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut.  Ellington was incorporated in May 1786, and is a chartered Town.  Ellington has a Board of Selectmen/Board of Finance/Town Meeting form of government.

The Board of Selectmen is the principal administrative and executive authority, the Board of Finance is the budgetary authority and the Town Meeting is the legislative authority of the Town.

The Board of Selectmen is collectively responsible for the administration of town offices, the maintenance of town highways and parks, public safety, the maintenance of financial accounts and the appointment of administrative officers, boards, committees and certain commissions.   Selectmen are elected and serve 2-year terms.

The Board of Finance has principal responsibility for the town's annual budget preparation as well as the preparation of the town's annual financial reports.  Members of the Board of Finance serve 4-year terms.

A Town Meeting is both an event and an entity.  As an event, it is a gathering of a town's eligible voters, and is referred to as "the Town Meeting."  Ordinarily, there is a Town Meeting scheduled once each year, generally to approve the annual budget.  However, at other times throughout the year there are often "Special Town Meetings" held to approve ordinances and address other business as required by the town's charter.  After a Town Meeting is called to order, those present vote to appoint a moderator who then administers the agenda of the meeting.  The Town Clerk keeps the minutes of the Town Meeting.   As an entity, the Town Meeting is the legislative body of the town.  The Town Meeting is required by Ellington's charter.  In towns that do not require a Town Meeting, the legislative and budget approval authority is often vested in an elected body such as a town council or board of selectmen.

The Town Administrator is a full-time staff position, appointed by the Board of Selectmen and charged with managing the day to day operations of the Town.

Ellington's public schools are managed by the superintendent and the Board of Education.

Ellington's charter and ordinances can be found here.