Menu Close

Select Board

The Select Board is composed of five members who are elected for three-year terms.

As the Chief Elected and Executive Officers of the Town, the Select Board members are vested with all the municipal authority not specifically retained by the Town’s legislative body, Town Meeting, or other elected Town boards. The Select Board appoint a Town Administrator who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Town.

Responsibilities

The Select Board set the policies and procedures governing all Town boards and officials under their direct supervision. The Select Board:

  • Appoint members of most of the official boards and commissions
  • Conduct show cause hearings on license violations and dog complaints
  • Hold public hearings on a wide range of issues which affect the quality of life in the Town
  • Issue the warrants for the annual and special Town Meetings
    • Initiate legislative policy by inserting articles into the warrants for these meetings and then implement the votes subsequently adopted
  • Prepare and set fiscal guidelines for the annual operating budget and make recommendations to the annual and special Town Meetings
  • Represent the Town before the General Court and enforce the Town’s charter, by-laws and regulations

Licensing Authority

The Select Board also serve as the licensing authority, responsible for issuing a variety of licenses ranging from common victualer licenses, liquor licenses, automatic amusement devices, and class I, II and III automobile licenses.

The Select Board approves licenses and permits for many activities in the Town. 

Senior Work Abatement Program (SWAP)

👤 Eligibility

  • You must be 62 years old or older.
  • You must own and live in a legal home in Ludlow for at least 10 consecutive years before applying.
  • Only one person per household can participate and receive the abatement.

📅 Application Period

  • Applications are accepted November 1 – December 31 each year. They will be available on our website, at the Senior Center or at the Select Board’s office.

🛠 Work Period

  • Volunteer work can begin February 1 or later depending on the department.
  • All hours must be completed by November 30.

⏱ Required Hours

  • Volunteers must complete hours equal to $900 divided by the Massachusetts minimum wage. Using the current Massachusetts minimum wage ($15.00/hour), that equals about 60 hours.
  • All required hours must be completed — no partial abatements.

💰 Property Tax Reduction

  • The program can reduce your property tax up to about $900 (before taxes/withholdings).
  • Under Massachusetts law, your property tax cannot be reduced below 10% of the annual tax bill.

🎲 Selection Process

  • If there are more applicants than available positions, participants are chosen by lottery.
  • Those not selected are placed on a numbered waiting list in case someone drops out.

🏛 Placement

  • Volunteers are assigned to town departments where help is most needed.

🧾 Payment Method

  • Instead of wages, you will receive a certificate from the Board of Assessors.
  • This certificate is applied as a credit to your 3rd and 4th quarter property tax bills.

✅ In short:
Eligible seniors volunteer for the town (~60 hours) and receive up to $900 off their property tax bill.