Name: Melissa Flanagan
How long have you lived in Marblehead? 34 years
Profession: Deposit services specialist
Elected and appointed positions held: None
1. What is your vision for the Town Clerk’s Office, and how does it differ from the current administration?
My vision is to transform the Town Clerk’s Office into a proactive, digitally empowered hub that fosters seamless access and strengthens community engagement for every resident. This represents a significant shift from the current administration by prioritizing proactive outreach to inform and empower our community, modernizing record-keeping for greater efficiency and accessibility, and actively cultivating stronger community partnerships.
2. What strategies would you employ to increase community engagement and awareness of the services offered by the Town Clerk’s Office?
I am committed to maintaining open communication through regular newsletters, social media updates and easily accessible online meeting minutes, ensuring the Town Clerk’s Office is a transparent and accountable public resource. I will also move beyond reactive service by implementing regular workshops on topics such as voter registration and vital records, and by establishing a consistent presence at community events to educate residents about available services. And I will actively seek opportunities to partner with other town departments and community organizations, such as collaborating with the local historical society for archive projects and working with community centers to host informational sessions.
3. How do you plan to increase voter engagement in Marblehead, particularly among younger residents and underrepresented groups? What initiatives would you introduce to encourage higher voter turnout?
To engage future voters, we can create special activities tailored to different age groups.
For younger children, we could develop engaging packets filled with word searches, fun activities, and interesting facts about voting. These packets could be distributed through schools, libraries and community events. Additionally, we could hold a sticker design contest, like our Festival of the Arts logo contest, where kids could create designs related to voting. An art contest could also be organized, encouraging students to submit artwork that highlights the importance of voting. Winning artwork could be displayed publicly, and participants could win prizes. For older kids, we could organize mock elections to familiarize them with the voting process. Creating future voter guides that explain voter registration and how to vote would also be beneficial. High school students who are 16 years old can be preregistered to vote and can also volunteer to assist with local elections, gaining valuable civic experience.
4. Incumbent Town Clerk Robin Michaud brings nearly two decades of experience to the role, including overseeing elections, managing historical records, and implementing technological advancements in the office. Given the breadth of responsibilities and institutional knowledge required for this position, how does your professional background prepare you to meet these demands from day one?
A background in banking cultivates a valuable skill set directly applicable to the multifaceted role of town clerk.
Banking experience provides a robust understanding of financial transactions, meticulous record-keeping and adherence to financial regulations.
As a banker you also learn to foster strong interpersonal skills essential for effectively engaging with town residents.
Both banking and town clerk positions demand meticulous management of diverse documentation, including financial statements, legal documents and vital public records.
The operational demands of a bank necessitate efficient record-keeping systems and strong organizational skills. Accuracy is paramount in both banking and town clerk duties.
Finally, both the financial sector and public service demand the highest ethical standards and a strong sense of integrity due to the handling of sensitive information and public trust.
