CONWAY — Four decades of institutional knowledge is difficult to replace. But Laurie Lucier is working on it.
She was sworn in as town clerk five months ago, taking over for Virginia “Ginny” Knowlton, who had held the position since 1979. Lucier said she has been on the job since May 23 and is learning as she goes.
“It’s been good,” she said in her office..
A town clerk has various responsibilities, including maintaining municipal records, managing federal, state and local elections, recording and certifying the proceedings of municipal meetings, conducting censuses, handling vital records (birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates), issuing various licenses and permits, and overseeing voter registration.
While running for election, Lucier said she was interested in streamlining the town clerk’s office. She said the hours of operation have since been changed to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., or by appointment. She also said the town is in the process of setting up an electronic payment system so people can order their vital records and dog licenses online.
Knowlton was a big help in the transition, Lucier said. She has taken some classes to assist in her duties and she is on the path to becoming a certified municipal clerk. Lucier said she expects to take a weeklong class in June.
Tom Hutcheson, who has been town administrator for six years, said Lucier has handled her new responsibilities well.
“She’s been doing a great job,” he said. “She’s doing just as well as could possibly be expected. It is a very broad job. There are a number of official functions, mandated by state law, the town clerk is responsible for.”
Hutcheson said Lucier is also “in charge of information.”
“If someone wants information from the town, they’ll go to her,” he said. “Town clerks really get to know a town very intimately.”
Lucier ran against Sheila Harrington in May’s election, accumulating 162 votes to Harrington’s 129. A 2016 ballot question to turn town clerk into an appointed position was rejected.
Lucier mentioned she is particularly looking forward to overseeing the voting process for the 2020 election. More people are likely to come out to vote because it is a presidential election year.
“There’s going to be a lot to learn,” she said. “It’s going to be exciting.”
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.