Town Clerk

Over the years, Municipal Clerks have become the hub of government, the direct link between the inhabitants of their community and their government. The Clerk is the historian of the community, for the entire recorded history of Lynnfield and its people is in his or her care.

The Town Clerk's role is one of the two oldest public servant professions, along with the tax collector. In fact, the Town Clerk's role and responsibilities date back to before Bblical times. The Bible also makes reference to the Clerk's role and responsibilities. Historical records show that the Clerk's role and responsibilities continued in ancient Greece, France and England. In an effort to set up some type of local government, colonial settlers in America established the position of Town Clerk.

The Town Clerk is the Chief Election Official. The Clerk supervises voter registration, oversees polling places, election officers, and the general conduct of all elections. The Town Clerk directs the preparation of ballots, polling places, voting equipment, voting lists, administers campaign finance laws, certifies nomination papers and initiative petitions, and serves on the Board of Registrars. The Town Clerk's office conducts the annual town census and prepares the street list of residents.

The Town Clerk is the keeper of the town seal. The Town Clerk attests by signature and seal to bonds, contracts, bylaws, resolutions and any other documents requiring town certification. The Clerk provides certified copies of vital records; conducts genealogical research for members of the public, and is responsible for maintenance, disposition, and preservation of municipal archival records and materials. The Town Clerk administers the oath of office to all town officials, elected and appointed.

The Town Clerk issues dog licenses, storage of flammable permits, business certificates, raffle permits, and serves as the Chief Public Records Access Officer.