Traditionally, a hallmark of Massachusetts’ small-town governance, the elected Town Clerk has served as a neighbor, a familiar face, and a direct representative of the community’s will. Residents take comfort in knowing that the person handling their vital records, overseeing elections, and maintaining town records is someone they might see at the grocery store or local events.
But there seems to be a growing trend toward towns opting to appoint their Clerks rather than elect them.
Will Charlton Be Next?
Charlton held their annual town election on May 3rd and voted to put the question of whether to change the position of Town Clerk from elected to appointed on the ballot:
According to the town website, Charlton has 10,755 registered voters. That means less than 10% of voters decided on Question 1. The final vote on whether to implement the change will be held at the Annual Town Meeting on May 19th. If passed, however, the change will not take effect immediately.
In Massachusetts, changing an elected office established by state statute, such as the Town Clerk, to an appointed position requires more than just a local vote. Even if voters approve the change at the annual town election, the transition cannot take effect until the state legislature enacts a special act authorizing it, following a Home Rule petition from the town.
The most recent time the Massachusetts legislature allowed a town to change the clerk position from elected to appointed was in February 2024, when it enacted Chapter 29 of the Acts of 2024 for the Town of Rutland, granting the select board the authority to appoint and remove the Town Clerk.
The Town of Arlington voted in April 2024 to change the clerk position from an elected to an appointed one, with 5,074 votes cast out of 32,462 registered voters (15.63%). The State Legislature has yet to approve the measure.
Why are towns deciding to make this change?
Because the role of government in our lives has grown in every aspect, the job of Town Clerk has become increasingly complex, requiring technical knowledge of state law, elections, and records management. Appointing the position allows the town to set specific qualifications and hire based on relevant experience and skills, rather than relying on popularity or willingness to run for election. Elected clerks must be town residents, while appointed clerks can be hired from outside the town, expanding the pool. But this introduces a layer of separation between the office and the electorate, weakening the local character and the deeply personal sense of stewardship that comes from having a neighbor in the office.
Perhaps the problem lies with the ever-increasing number of laws, rules, and regulations that plague even the most quaint of small towns, for which the Town Clerk is responsible. Surprisingly, there are no statewide statutory educational requirements to serve as a Town Clerk in Massachusetts. Many towns require at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some towns prefer or require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in public administration, business, government, or a related field. While not required by law, certification through the Massachusetts Town Clerks’ Association (MTCA), such as the Certified Massachusetts Municipal Clerk (CMMC) designation, is highly recommended and sometimes required by towns.
Why a Lack of Candidates?
Given these achievable requirements, it seems the pool of candidates should be healthy among residents.
However, the term is usually 3 years, and it may seem risky for a person to leave a stable job to serve as the Town Clerk, not knowing if they will be reelected. Candidates need to be amenable to campaigning, and not everyone with proper skills for clerkship has a political bent. A deep commitment to community service would have to be of utmost priority.
The Hazard of Regionalization
Many communities share several services, such as building inspectors, health agents, and other permitting officials, as well as fire, police, and emergency medical services, animal control services, IT support, cybersecurity, and data management. Some towns collaborate on regional purchasing, procurement, and even assessment services. In the past, some towns—such as Lenox, Lee, Stockbridge, and Washington-Middlefield —have explored sharing a Town Administrator, with Washington and Middlefield continuing the practice to this day. Appointing a Town Clerk opens up the possibility, though perhaps remote, of seeing the trend toward resource sharing among communities expand into that important role.
A Local Opinion
I reached out to a member of the Charlton community for their opinion on the Town Clerk becoming an appointed position:
“We are losing our voice when the Town Clerk is appointed. I know in Charlton, there are way too many people in higher positions who don’t live in the town. So the stuff they decide on in the town does not affect them. We have a five-person Select Board whose members are elected and live in town, but for too many years, they have been giving our Town Administrator more and more responsibilities, and they have waived the bylaw that the administrator must live in town within a year of getting this job.
The Town Clerk should be autonomous in every town, as their duties should not be governed by anyone but the residents. [They] want to change this position because the current Town Clerk is retiring in a few years, and her assistant, who is on deck to take over the position, does not reside in town. [But] the selectmen do not have to appoint her, and in the future, the Town Clerks will always be beholden to the selectmen…”
Small Town Governance Requires Skin in the Game
Elected Town Clerks are seen as more directly accountable to voters and independent from other town officials, which can enhance public trust, especially in roles overseeing elections and records. Appointed Town Clerks, although often selected for their qualifications and professionalism, may be viewed as less autonomous and potentially influenced by the appointing authority, which can raise concerns about impartiality and erode trust among residents.
Most Massachusetts cities appoint their clerks, with the exception of Gloucester. This model might make sense in the face of the challenges that come with a larger population. Rarely do residents of larger cities in Massachusetts personally know their Mayor, Elections Director, or City Clerk. Small towns in our state are different and should be governed as such. Appointing Town Clerks removes the personal connection to the community, a vital aspect of small-town life. People can choose to live in big cities with impersonal government systems, but small towns thrive when the government is closer to the people.
by JK
Massachusetts First 
Leave a comment