The Town Clerk is an elected position with a three-year term. S/he is the official keeper of Town records and the Town Seal and serves as the main Public Records Access Officer; s/he responds to inquiries from the public in a timely fashion, as determined by Massachusetts state law.
[Adopted 2-11-2020 STM (Art. V of the General Bylaws)]
The Town Clerk, as notary public, attests by signature and seal to bonds, all borrowing, contracts, bylaws, resolutions and any other documents requiring Town certification. The Town Clerk records and certifies Town Meeting legislation, appropriations and decisions of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.
The Town Clerk is the Chief Election Official and Public Records Access Officer and serves on the Board of Registrars. The Town Clerk shall, immediately after every Town Meeting, notify or cause to be notified any person elected, chosen or appointed to any Town office, or to serve upon any board or committee, of his election, choice or appointment.
The Town Clerk conducts the annual Town census and prepares the street list of residents.
The Town Clerk submits general bylaws and zoning bylaws, as approved at Annual and/or Special Town Meetings, to the Attorney General for approval.
The Town Clerk issues marriage licenses, gasoline dispensing licenses and dog licenses and provides certified copies of vital records (births, marriages, and deaths). S/he also serves as the Burial Agent for the Town.
The Town Clerk shall permanently retain official Town records, as may be required to be retained by the Town Clerk according to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Records Retention Schedule and Town bylaws. The Town Clerk shall not allow original paper or documents of the Town to be removed from the Town Clerk's office, except as they remain in his/her custody, or by authority of law.