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		<field id="1100" index="0" type="text">Linda Hunt</field>

		<field id="1101" index="0" type="text">Town Clerk</field>

		<field id="1102" index="0" type="text">50 Main Street</field>

		<field id="1103" index="0" type="text">P.O. Box 417</field>

		<field id="1104" index="0" type="text">Stockbridge</field>

		<field id="1105" index="0" type="text">MA</field>

		<field id="1106" index="0" type="text">01262</field>

		<field id="1107" index="0" type="text">413-298-4170 EXT 251</field>

		<field id="1108" index="0" type="text">413-298-4344</field>

		<field id="1109" index="0" type="text">clerk@townofstockbridge.com</field>

		<field id="1110" index="0" type="text">Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm</field>

		<field id="1200" index="0" type="text">Transfer Station Permits</field>

		<field id="1201" index="0" type="text">../StockbridgeMA_WebDocs/transfer</field>

		<field id="1202" index="0" type="text">Marriage Licenses</field>

		<field id="1203" index="0" type="text">../StockbridgeMA_WebDocs/marriage</field>

		<field id="1204" index="0" type="text">Business Certificates</field>

		<field id="1205" index="0" type="text">../StockbridgeMA_WebDocs/business</field>

		<field id="1206" index="0" type="text">Voter Registration</field>

		<field id="1207" index="0" type="text">../StockbridgeMA_WebDocs/voter</field>

		<field id="1208" index="0" type="text">Dog Licenses</field>

		<field id="1209" index="0" type="text">../StockbridgeMA_WebDocs/dog</field>

		<field id="1210" index="0" type="text">Annual Town Meeting Results (May 16, 2005)</field>

		<field id="1211" index="0" type="text">../StockbridgeMA_WebDocs/2005townmeetingresults.pdf</field>

		<field id="1212" index="0" type="text">Annual Town Report (year ended 12/31/2004)</field>

		<field id="1213" index="0" type="text">../StockbridgeMA_WebDocs/2004townreport.pdf</field>

		<field id="1214" index="0" type="text">Special Town Meeting Results (June 20, 2005)</field>

		<field id="1215" index="0" type="text">../StockbridgeMA_WebDocs/specialtownmeeting2005.pdf</field>

		<subject index="0" >Town Clerk</subject>

		<field id="8010" index="0" type="text">clerk</field>

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The Town Clerk Serves you as...

Chief Election Official

Oversees polling places, election officers, and the general conduct of all elections.

Directs preparation of ballots, polling places, voting equipment, voting lists, administers campaign finance laws, certifies nomination papers and initiative petitions, and usually serves on the local Board of Registrars.

Supervises voter registration and absentee balloting, and prepares, records and reports official election results to the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth.

Conducts the annual town census, prepares the street list of residents and school list, and furnishes the jury list to the Office of the Jury Commissioner.

Recording Officer

Records and certifies all official actions of the Town, including town meeting legislation and appropriations, Planning and Zoning Board Decisions, signs all notes for borrowing, and keeps the Town Seal.

Records state tax liens.

Registrar of Vital Statistics

Registers all vital events occurring within the community and those events occurring elsewhere to local residents.

Records and preserves original birth, marriage, and death records providing the basis for the Commonwealth's central vital registration system.

Public Records Officer

Administers the oath of office to all elected and appointed members of local committees and boards and ensures that all elected and appointed officials are informed in writing of the State's Open Meeting and Conflict of Interest Laws. Posts meetings of all government bodies.

Provides access to public records in compliance with State Public Records Law and corresponding regulations.

Provides certified copies of vital records and conducts or assists with genealogical research for members of the public, and is responsible for maintenance, disposition, and preservation of municipal archival records and materials.

Maintains records of adopted municipal codes, local bylaws, oaths  of office, resignations and appointments, petitions, publications, budgets, meeting minutes, and financial statements.

Submits bylaws and zoning ordinances to Attorney General for approval.

Licensing Officer

Issues state licenses and permits: including marriage licenses, hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and permits for raffles and bazaars. Issues county or local licenses, permits, and certifications as mandated by statute or bylaw, which may include burial permits, business certificates, animal licenses, and fuel storage permits.

Public Information Officer

Responds to inquires from the general public, frequently serving as facilitator with departments, providing knowledge and assistance in a fair and impartial manner to all.

Often considered the core of local government, the Town Clerk's Office serves as the central information point for local residents and citizens at large.

Massachusetts Town Clerks' Association

The Massachusetts Town Clerks' Association was founded in 1922 to encourage and stimulate professional development of the members of the profession for their mutual benefit and that of the public which they serve.

The Association provides a medium for the exchange of ideas and experiences, gathers information, publishes educational material, and sponsors courses on legislation consistent with its responsibilities to the public. It works to improve and enhance the professional service which Town Clerks render to state and municipal officials and to the citizens of every community.

The Association is affiliated with the International Institute of Municipal Clerks and supports the goals of this worldwide organization which encourages and recognizes professional development by awarding CMC (Certified Municipal Clerk) and AAE (Member Academy for Advanced Education) designations upon achievement of required credits.

The Massachusetts Town Clerks' Association has developed its own educational and certification program to further enrich the Town Clerks' knowledge of statutory requirements specific to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Once qualified, the candidate earns the distinction of CMMC (Certified Massachusetts Municipal Clerk).

History

The position of Town Clerk has an ancient and honorable history. In biblical times town clerks were scribes or scholars, learned men who were among the few people who could read and write. Their writings became the historical record of the times.

The position has since evolved to include many duties now mandated by law and many others established by tradition in the community. Functions of the office vary with the size of the community and whether the Town Clerk is a full- or part-time position. In some communities the town Clerk may also be the Finance Officer, Tax Collector, Treasurer, or Town Manager. In Massachusetts, most Town Clerks are elected to office; in some communities, they are appointed by the Board of Selectmen or the Town Manager.

Town Clerks are committed to work beyond the scope of the mandates and customs of their communities and serve the citizens as the focal point of town government.