History of Municipal Clerks

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 the town (city) and its people in his or her care.

The eminent political scientist, Professor William Bennett Munro, writing in one of the first textbooks on municipal administration (1934), stated:

"No other office in municipal service has so many contracts. It serves the mayor, the city council, the city manager (when there is one), and all administrative departments without exception. All of them call upon it, almost daily, for some service or information. Its work is not spectacular, but it demands versatility, alertness, accuracy, and no end of patience. The public does not realize how many loose ends of the city administration this office pulls together."

These words, written more than 60 years ago, are even more appropriate today.

Read more:

• Early Beginnings
• Development in England
• Colonial Development

1962-1983 CTCA History

A binder of notes from former Bolton Town Clerk, Catherine K. Leiner (aunt to Bernice Dixon, Vernon Town Clerk) has been shared. It includes historical information regarding CTCA. The most interesting being what appears to be the very first Town Clerk's Handbook from 1963. Also includes: "Safeguards for Vital Statistics", and brochures from CTCA school and conferences. View the CTCA History 1962 to 1983 (PDF).