Town Clerk

1. Custodian of Public Records

Official Documents: The clerk is legally responsible for the custody of all town records, including town charters, ordinances, bylaws, and resolutions.

Town Seal: They maintain the official town seal and use it to attest and certify official documents.

Records Management: They must ensure compliance with state records retention laws and public access requirements, such as the Right to Know Law or Freedom of Information acts.

2. Registrar of Vital Statistics

Life Events: Clerks are mandated to register and maintain chronological records of births, marriages, and deaths occurring within the town.

State Reporting: They must transmit these vital certificates to state registrars within legally defined timeframes.

3. Chief Election Official

Elections Oversight: The clerk manages local voter registration, coordinates polling locations, and oversees the distribution and processing of absentee ballots.

Candidacy & Results: They certify nomination papers, accept candidate filings, and officially certify election results.

4. Licensing and Permitting Authority

General Licensing: Clerks issue a wide variety of state and local licenses, including marriage licenses, dog licenses, and recreational licenses.

Fee Collection: They are often responsible for collecting and accounting for fees associated with these permits, ensuring they are deposited according to local law.

5. Secretary to the Governing Body

Meeting Management: They attend all Town meetings to record and sign meeting minutes.

Public Notice: They ensure legal compliance with Open Meeting Laws by posting meeting agendas and public notices within required timelines.

6. Oaths of Office

Legal Administration: The clerk has the statutory authority to administer the oath of office to newly elected or appointed town officials.