Sullivan announces : Town Clerk candidacy
Published on December 10th, 1997
STONEHAM, MA - Assistant Town Clerk Kathleen Sullivan must really enjoy her work because this week she announced that she wants the added responsibility of being a department head when she announced her intention to run for the Town Clerk's position this spring.
Long-time Town Clerk Annamae Arsenault has already indicated that she will retire this spring and run for one of the two open seats on the Board of Selectmen.
Sullivan was appointed assistant town clerk by Arsenault and Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting in August of 1995. Sullivan avoided most of the normal learning curve delays when she began her new job because of her two and half terms as a member of the Board of Select-men from 1983-1990.
Always considered one of the most prepared Selectmen in recent history, Sullivan had an extensive knowledge of government when she started in the town clerk's office.
"My experience as a Selectman definitely helped," said Sullivan. "As a Selectman, I dealt with many of the same types of issues as the Town Clerk and quickly realized the importance of the Town Clerk's office in handling the election process, site plan hearing filings, and Town Meeting procedures among other duties."
Although only on board for just over two years, Sullivan has already made a significant impact in the operation of the Town Clerk's office.
"I was allowed more latitude than I initially expected by Annamae," said Sullivan, who, within the first few months on the job, contacted the Sheriff's office and had inmates build new voting booths for the town. "At this point in time, I believe I have a full working knowl-edge of the office."
Although Sullivan ran unsuccessfully against Arsenault before being appointed and has never hid the fact that she would like to be Town Clerk, the two former rivals have worked extremely well together over the past two years.
"Kathy has enhanced the personal service in this department and improved dramatically the technology here," said Arsenault. "Morale wise she has also been a huge boost."
Sullivan, who has previous work experience as an accountant, said she always considered her position as an "internship," but was not afraid to take the lead role in bringing the Town Clerk's office into the world of advanced technology.
Before Sullivan arrived, all documents in the Town Clerk's office were recorded by hand. Sullivan immediately had personal computers brought in and is now pushing to make sure all of the Town Hall offices are networked together.
"The town officials were not aware of the record keeping capacity that is needed by this office," said Sullivan, who holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration-Accounting from Salem State College. "We have the census, voter registration, annual reports, state records, dog licenses, burial permits and of course elections. Plus since we are a hospital community, we have an incredible amount of birth certificates."
Because of Sullivan's push for better technology in the office, Arsenault said they have been able to consolidate much of the work for her small staff.
"Kathy has brought a new and improved methodology to the department," said Arsenault.
Sullivan, who was a co-founder of Town Day, also pointed out that the Town Clerk's office is now better prepared to handle the frequent changes requested by the state in recording voter lists, birth certificates, etc.
She also made it clear that if elected she would continue her hands-on approach as Town Clerk.
"I would not be a figure head," explained Sullivan. "I will be a working Town Clerk in the office."
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