At Wareham’s first Town Meeting in 1739, members elected its main officers. Did you know that many of the duties of these officials remain the same today?

The duty of the Moderator was to preside at town meetings. A 1715 law gave powers to the Moderator to keep order at the meetings. The reason for bestowing this power was “by reason of the disorderly carriage of some persons in said meetings the affairs and business thereof is very much retarded and obstructed.”

The Town Clerk was required “to record in the town book the decisions of the Town’s Mind.” The Clerk also recorded births, deaths and marriages, the transfer of pews in the meeting house, and descriptions of “lost articles, stray animals, and the farmers’ identification marks.”

The Town Treasurer was required to receive and oversee money that was paid for taxes and church pews and any other funds or fines collected by the Town.

Three Selectmen were elected each year and were required to direct “prudential affairs.” They held their sessions at the local tavern and the Town Clerk was required to record their meetings. The Town paid for the food and grog consumed at these gatherings. Selectmen prepared the Warrant, made sure that various town officers carried out their duties properly, brought budgetary and education matters to Town Meeting, were in charge of the protection of oyster and alewives fishing and for making sure the minister’s salary was paid promptly.