The Board of Selectman (BOS) Department is not a Town Department, but rather an elected, seven (7) member Board, including the First Selectman, that serves as the legislative and policy-making body for the Town of Portland. The Portland Charter vests most of the local legislative authority in the BOS. Matters that require Town Meeting approval include leases that exceed one (1) year, sale or purchase of Town-owned land whose value exceeds $10,000, and approval of supplemental appropriations that meet the criteria as stated in the Charter. The BOS adopts ordinances and resolutions. The BOS meets twice a month, once for financial matters, and the second time for general business. More frequent meetings are held during the budget season.

Effective October 8, 2025, the Board of Selectman Meetings will be held at the Mary Flood Room of the Public Library, 20 Freestone Avenue.