BERNARDSTON — The Selectboard discussed a plan to train Christina Slocum-Wysk to be Town Clerk Paul Luther’s successor during its regularly scheduled meeting last week.
The Selectboard unanimously reappointed Slocum-Wysk as the assistant town clerk through Dec. 31, 2020. In this position, she is empowered to function in all ways as the town clerk under Luther’s direct supervision.
Slocum-Wysk was first appointed by the Selectboard, at Luther’s request, on April 10, for a nine-month term. Luther has served as town clerk for six years.
Luther said that following the end of Slocum-Wysk’s appointed term in 2020, he will be confident in her abilities and the Selectboard could appoint her as the next town clerk.
“She has made good progress, even while she is working now,” Luther said.
Slocum-Wysk has held the assistant town clerk position since earlier this year, and also serves as chair of the Planning Board. According to Luther, Slocum-Wysk will start to extend her assistant town clerk hours come mid-January. Luther said he and the Selectboard will make sure she has more independent authority and responsibility.
Throughout 2020, Slocum-Wysk will work side-by-side with Luther to both observe and share in the work involved with the town caucus, presidential primary, annual town election, Annual Town Meeting, state primary and presidential election.
“That will include learning first-hand the tasks required of our poll workers, wardens, constables and registrars, and all the rules and regulations related thereto,” Luther said.
Sometime before Dec. 31, 2020, the Selectboard and Luther will determine if it is time for Slocum-Wysk to be appointed to town clerk. If need be, Luther said he could remain on in an advisory capacity for a transition period.
“That’s all up for discussion,” Luther said. “It’s all part of succession. Part of the succession plan is to leave a future succession plan, and not just have this be a one-shot kind of thing.”
In preparation for the transition, Luther said he will produce a usable set of instructional documents and guidelines for the town clerk job. By the time Luther leaves, he hopes to have a strong system in place to ease the transition for Slocum-Wysk and any future transitions.
Reach Zack DeLuca at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 264.