Town Government— Did You Know You Run This Town? (In-person)

Registration Below

Co-Sponsored with the Redding League of Women Voters

New England’s town meeting tradition gives residents a direct role in local government—but what about the Board of Selectmen? Where did this unique system come from, and how has it evolved?

Join us for an engaging discussion with Matthew Knickerbocker, Wilton Town Administrator, as he explores the origins of this form of government, dating back to Colonial times, and explains how New England towns developed this executive branch. He’ll also discuss how the board’s roles and responsibilities have changed over the years, adapting to growing communities and shared governance with other elected officials. Q&A to follow.

Julia Pemberton, Redding’s First Selectwoman, will be in attendance to address how this form of government functions in Redding.  

All are welcome—registration is suggested.

This is a great opportunity to learn how your local government works—and how you can be part of it!

This is a hybrid program that will take place both live at the Library, and virtually over Zoom. For the best experience we recommend attending this program live at the Library.

Scroll to the bottom of the screen to register for the in-person option. 

Would you prefer instead to attend the program virtually, over Zoom? Click here to register for the virtual option.  

About Our Speaker

Bethel resident Matthew Knickerbocker first entered public service when elected to a seat on the Bethel Board of Education in 1999, where he served seven years as its chairman and led campaigns to update the town’s school buildings and modernize curriculum. At the conclusion of a thirty-year career in the photo imaging/consumer electronics industry, he was elected Bethel’s First Selectman in 2009 and continued serving in that role for thirteen years. During his tenure as First Selectman, Matt restructured the financial operations, earning the town its first AAA bond rating and completing several critical capital infrastructure projects. Today Matt serves as the Town Administrator for the Town of Wilton where he manages municipal operations. He is also active in at the regional and state levels, serving as a board member for the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities; past president of the Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Authority and past president of the Connecticut Council of Small Towns, current chairman of the Housatonic Resource Recovery Authority and is a member of the Connecticut City Managers Association.