Not long ago, an editorial focusing on a West County town deliberating the question of whether or not their town clerk should be elected or appointed appeared in the Recorder. Shortly after reading this, I watched the Selectboard from the same town discuss the issue again on a local cable station. I should mention that none of this currently affects my position as town clerk in Shelburne. However, the history, tradition, culture and commitment of this position is a large part of the question, which is seldom, if ever, discussed.
The history of town clerks has stood the test of time for centuries, especially in small towns. The heritage of this position is one of the oldest in local government, dating back to the early colonists, one of the first positions established by the people. During this period, ministers often served in this role, doing so quite admirably. Today, town clerks are still chosen by the people they serve in a majority of municipalities in Massachusetts.
Experience tells us that small towns in West County have challenges finding candidates to fill local government roles. Yet, despite the weighty responsibilities, town clerks may be the exception. Example: Shelburne has had eight people hold this elected position since 1919. Eight people, in the last 100 years! All residents invested in the community they called home and, in some cases, still call home today. That speaks volumes to their character and commitment. For them, the position was not a stepping stone to something bigger and better. Rather, it was a promise they made when they took their Oath of Office, which in simple terms said, “I will do the best I can, for as long as the people allow me.” That’s a powerful statement in any century! Another example is in the towns of Conway and Colrain, where they recently lost outstanding town clerks to retirement with a combined 46 years of experience. Both towns now have new, very capable people doing a great job serving in this elected role. The element of having an appointed town clerk changes the culture, and status, of all of that.
The editorial also illustrated an informal survey, taken by the same West County town, of town clerks serving communities under 10,000 population. Of 48 surveyed, 35 were elected and 15 appointed. That figure interested me, especially when you consider that West County doesn’t have 10,000 people combined! Perhaps surveying towns with populations under 2,500 would have been a better comparison. This recently completed informal survey showed, of 66 surveyed towns under 2,500 residents, 55 were elected and 11 appointed. If you combined the two surveys, 90 town clerks were elected, and 26 appointed. Statewide, that number is even more noticeable. And there is a reason for that, especially in small towns.
An elected town clerk is directly accountable to the people who elect them, serving at the will of the people, not at the discretion of selectmen or town managers who know little about the position. It also curtails any independence while relying on others, in positions with potential for frequent change, to make decisions not only about who serves, but in ways that could possibly affect the very role itself. This is especially important during town elections, when the independence of a town clerk’s office is vital. Appointed town clerks could potentially come with an inherent conflict of interest here.
Town clerks I know are service-oriented and not concerned about punching a clock, allowing them to be more accommodating to their constituents. Many provide services out of their home and during weekends, often helping a panicked citizen who needs a copy of their birth or marriage certificate on a holiday weekend. Elected town clerks also bring their own strengths and capabilities once voted into office, which represents a vote about the actual culture of the position. A position embedded in the town, administered by a person who is invested in the community, knows the residents, and understands their needs which often includes personal issues entrusted to them. A trust earned only when given by the people!
Yes, there is a learning curve. Yes, it is a large one, as there is no school or colleges for new town clerks. Only training offered by the State, the MTCA, and the prior town clerk acting as a mentor. However, the support you receive from 351 colleagues statewide is nothing short of amazing. Assistance is always available from this group, and is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Help is always a phone call away, needed by some town clerk in the commonwealth every day. I can tell you, that system has meant a lot to me.
All of this, and more, gets down to the actual fiber of the matter that can only be accomplished by the people electing a town clerk. And it’s the people who should always retain the right to determine who that individual will be.
Joe Judd has served as an elected official in the town of Shelburne for the past 44 years as a library trustee, selectman, and currently town clerk.