Where it stands as of Tue, Oct 6
Article 1, which proposes transitioning the Town Clerk from an elected office to a Select Board-appointed position with a term of up to three years, goes before Special Town Meeting on October 17, 2026. Both the Select Board and Advisory Committee unanimously recommend approval to widen the candidate pool for an increasingly technical role, though Advisory noted concerns about losing direct voter control and recommended contractual termination-for-cause protections. If passed by Town Meeting, the transition would still require ratification through a ballot question at the May 11, 2027 town election or a special act of the legislature. In the interim, appointed clerk Amy Berry is serving through May 11, 2027 following Jim Hegarty's retirement.
- For Select Board Voted 5-0 on Sep 15 to recommend approval of Article 1 to change the position from elected to appointed.
- For Advisory Committee Voted 6-0 on Sep 16 to recommend approval, citing a broader applicant pool for technical work while advising termination-for-cause safeguards.
Next: Special Town Meeting vote on Article 1 on October 17, 2026.
Coming up
- Annual Town Election ballot question regarding the appointed town clerk position
Votes
| Date | Board | Motion | Result | Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advisory Committee | Recommend approval of Article 1 (Appointed Town Clerk) as printed in the warrant Appointed town clerk transition | Passed6-0 | 16:55 | |
| Select Board | Recommend approval of Special Town Meeting Article 1 (Town Clerk vacancy) Appointed town clerk transition | Passed5-0 | 3:07:27 | |
| Select Board | Appoint Amy Berry as interim town clerk for the period of October 1, 2026 through May 11, 2027 Appointed town clerk transition | Passed5-0 | 15:38 | |
| Select Board | Authorize the assistant town administrator and staff to conduct recruitment and interviews for an interim town clerk. Appointed town clerk transition | Passedunanimous | 2:55:22 | |
| Advisory Committee | Support warrant Article 26 to change the Town Clerk position from elected to appointed. Appointed town clerk transition | Passed5-0 | 1:23:53 | |
| Select Board | Support Article 25 (changing Town Clerk from elected to appointed) on the Annual Town Meeting warrant. Appointed town clerk transition | Passed5-0 | 1:07:05 |
Every time it came up newest first
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Article 1: Town Clerk appointed position proposal
Members reviewed report language for Article 1, which proposes changing the Town Clerk position from elected to appointed. The committee supported the change to draw a larger pool of qualified candidates for an increasingly technical role, following trends across Massachusetts towns. The main concern raised was the loss of direct voter control, prompting members to recommend that employment contracts include a termination-for-cause clause.
- Proposes converting Town Clerk from an elected position to an appointed hire
- Intended to expand the applicant pool for an increasingly technical position
- Committee noted roughly half of Massachusetts municipalities now appoint clerks
- Suggested employment contracts include a termination-for-cause protection
- Committee previously voted 6-0 to recommend approval
Outcome: Report wording adjusted to highlight concerns about direct voter control and contractual protections.
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Article 1: Appointed Town Clerk
The committee discussed a warrant article proposing to change the town clerk position from an elected office to an appointed office with a term not to exceed three years. Members noted the increasingly technical nature of the role and the advantage of being able to recruit qualified applicants from outside Southborough, though some members expressed concerns regarding Select Board removal authority.
- Proposes transitioning town clerk from elected to appointed by the Select Board for up to a three-year term.
- Requires approval at Town Meeting followed by a ballot question or special act of the legislature.
- Incumbent town clerk Jim Hegarty is retiring, and an interim clerk was previously appointed.
- Committee members cited need for technical qualifications and a wider hiring pool beyond town borders.
Outcome: Recommended approval by a 6-0 vote.
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Appointment of interim town clerk and governance transition
The board voted unanimously to appoint Amy Berry as interim town clerk from October 1, 2026, through May 11, 2027, filling the vacancy created by Jim Hegarty's departure on September 30. Berry previously worked as Southborough deputy town clerk for six years and has served as town clerk in Grafton since February 2025. Officials also discussed warrant articles for the October 17 Special Town Meeting to change the town clerk position from elected to appointed, which would require voter approval at the May 11, 2027, annual town election.
- Berry will serve as interim assistant town clerk from September 23 to September 30 for training, becoming interim town clerk on October 1.
- Annualized compensation is set at $117,312 (equivalent to Grade 8, Step 6 at $56.40 per hour), covered within the existing FY27 budget.
- Nine or ten candidates applied for the position, with three interviewed in the first round and two finalists.
- The proposed transition of the town clerk from an elected to an appointed role will appear at the October 17 Special Town Meeting and May 11 town election.
Outcome: Appointed Amy Berry as interim town clerk by a 5-0 vote.
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Interim Town Clerk recruitment process
Human Resources presented a plan to recruit and appoint an interim town clerk to serve from October 1, 2026, until the annual town election in May 2027. Under state law, the Select Board appoints a temporary clerk in the event of a vacancy. The position will be advertised for 10 days, followed by two rounds of interviews involving administration, a retired town clerk consultant, and the town moderator, with an employment contract to follow.
- Position to be posted for 10 days with interviews concluding around Labor Day.
- Select Board expects to appoint an interim clerk in September before Hegarty departs.
- A part-time administrative assistant in the clerk office was recently hired and starts August 24, 2026.
Outcome: Authorized human resources staff to proceed with recruitment and interviews.
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Recognition of retiring Town Clerk Jim Hegarty
The board recognized Town Clerk Jim Hegarty upon his announced retirement effective September 30, 2026, after serving the town since 2015. Board members, the town moderator, and a resident thanked him for modernizing town clerk operations, managing elections, and assisting town meetings. Hegarty addressed the board and shared reflections from his career.
- Hegarty submitted his resignation effective September 30, 2026.
- He has served as Southborough town clerk since 2015.
- Speakers highlighted his modernization of election procedures and voter engagement efforts.
Outcome: Discussion and recognition only; no formal vote taken.
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Article 25: Appointed Town Clerk proposal
Town Clerk Jim Hegarty presented a proposal to convert the Town Clerk position from an elected role to an appointed one. Hegarty cited increasing statutory complexity, election administration burdens, and the need to recruit from a qualified professional pool outside of town residents.
- Conversion requires approval by Annual Town Meeting and a majority vote on the annual town election ballot.
- Hegarty noted over 400 sections of Massachusetts General Laws govern the office.
- About one-third of Massachusetts towns currently have appointed clerks, with the statewide trend moving toward appointment.
- Appointment authority would default to the Select Board.
Outcome: Select Board voted 5-0 to support Article 25 on the Town Meeting warrant.