Overview:
Town Clerk Nancy Burnham has been honored as Town Clerk of the Year by the Massachusetts Town Clerks Association, a recognition of her nearly 40 years of service to the community.
ATHOL – Town Clerk Nancy Burnham has been honored as Town Clerk of the Year by the Massachusetts Town Clerks Association, a recognition of her nearly 40 years of service to the community.
Burnham received the award at the association’s annual meeting, held the weekend of June 3.
“In 1988, I was working as a teller at Bank of New England, which is now Athol Savings Bank, and my mother saw an ad in the newspaper for a job here and she encouraged me to apply,” said Burnham, who was born and raised in Athol. “So, I did. I was hired by (retiring) Town Clerk Mary O’Reilly and once I got here, I loved my job.”
Burnham became the assistant town clerk, working under Town Clerk Nita Bates from 1989 through 1996, after which Burnham became town clerk. Until adoption of the Town Charter in 2003, Burnham had to seek reelection every two years. Once the charter was adopted, the position became appointed.
Asked about her favorite part of the job, Burnham said she really enjoys organizing elections.
“It’s a lot of work, but it really is one of my favorite things to do,” she said. “I like helping people register to vote and I like seeing them using their right to vote. Of course, it’s a lot of work, but I have a lot of great people to help me and great volunteers.”
The job of town clerk is quite varied and Burnham sometimes meets with people during the most memorable moments of their lives. On the day she spoke to the Athol Daily News, Burnham was helping a young couple with their application for a marriage license. And once the process was complete, she also had the privilege of performing their ceremony.
“We do a lot of marriages,” she said. “It’s really nice to see happy young couples get married and to be a part of that….I’m also a justice of the peace.”
Selectboard and the Athol-Royalston Regional School Committee member Mitch Grosky said, “I have had the great pleasure and distinct honor of working closely with Nancy and witnessing first-hand the tremendous amount of high-quality work she does for our community. Nancy is exceptionally organized, diligent, conscientious and dedicated to serving the residents of Athol. She is also a creative problem-solver who consistently finds practical solutions to complex challenges.
“This recognition is richly deserved and reflects the outstanding service Nancy has provided to the town of Athol for many years,” he added. “Those of us who have had the opportunity to work with her know how fortunate we are to have someone of her caliber serving our community.”
Former Selectboard member Rebecca Bialecki described Burnham as one of the most knowledgeable people she knows.
“She was invaluable during my time on the Selectboard – always willing to help or answer questions,” she added.
Town Manager Shaun Suhoski praised Burnham as he listed the many responsibilities with which she is charged as town clerk.
“Whether its street listings, voter registration, conduct of fair elections, ensuring town meeting votes are properly recorded for posterity, dog licenses, rabies clinics, offering public access to the doings of local government, and so many other tasks,” Suhoski said. “Nancy has worked to fulfill her role with the highest professional and ethical standards.”