Appointed town clerk transition | southborough.infohttps://southborough.info/issues/appointed-town-clerk/2026-10-16T15:05:38-04:00Advisory Committee, Tue, Oct 6: Article 1: Town Clerk appointed position proposalhttps://southborough.info/topics/6sb8sVUyin4/72026-10-06T12:00:00ZMembers 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. Outcome: Report wording adjusted to highlight concerns about direct voter control and contractual protections.Advisory Committee, Wed, Sep 16: Article 1: Appointed Town Clerkhttps://southborough.info/topics/kC-X75Msc0s/02026-09-16T12:00:00ZThe 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. Outcome: Recommended approval by a 6-0 vote.Select Board, Fri, Sep 4: Appointment of interim town clerk and governance transitionhttps://southborough.info/topics/6vLlCQSNejs/12026-09-04T12:00:00ZThe 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. Outcome: Appointed Amy Berry as interim town clerk by a 5-0 vote.Select Board, Tue, Aug 11: Interim Town Clerk recruitment processhttps://southborough.info/topics/YVXhyk05YQ8/112026-08-11T12:00:00ZHuman 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. Outcome: Authorized human resources staff to proceed with recruitment and interviews.Select Board, Tue, Aug 11: Recognition of retiring Town Clerk Jim Hegartyhttps://southborough.info/topics/YVXhyk05YQ8/02026-08-11T12:00:00ZThe 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. Outcome: Discussion and recognition only; no formal vote taken.Select Board, Tue, Mar 10: Article 25: Appointed Town Clerk proposalhttps://southborough.info/topics/4qfPD1Qpccs/42026-03-10T12:00:00ZTown 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. Outcome: Select Board voted 5-0 to support Article 25 on the Town Meeting warrant.