Dorset clerk named tops
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Dorset Town Clerk Sandra Pinsonault stands outside the Dorset Town Offices on Wednesday with a plaque naming her the Vermont Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Association’s Town Clerk of the Year. Pinsonault received the honor on Monday at the association’s annual meeting in Fairlee. PATRICK MCARDLE / RUTLAND HERALD |
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By PATRICK McARDLE STAFF WRITER - Published: September 24, 2009
DORSET — Town Clerk Sandra Pinsonault was in for a surprise at the annual meeting of the Vermont Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Association in Fairlee on Monday — her award as Vermont Town Clerk of the Year.
"I was just shocked. It's such an honor that I was completely flabbergasted. I was just overwhelmed," Pinsonault said Wednesday.
Stowe Town Clerk Alison Kayser, current president of the association, said the town clerk of the year was chosen from a group of clerks who were chosen by their peers.
All candidates must meet certain criteria, in addition to holding the office of town clerk, including a demonstrated interest in continuing education, service to the professional organization and the attainment of certification as a Vermont town clerk.
Kayser said candidates also have to show integrity and leadership and earn the respect and confidence of his or her peers.
Pinsonault has served the community of town clerks in Vermont as chairwoman of the association's education committee.
"She's done an outstanding job of bringing our educational standards into the next century and helping to find the right areas of study so it doesn't just become the same old dry subjects," Kayser said.
Pinsonault is also the association's current first vice president.
Serving as Dorset's town clerk since March 2005, Pinsonault, 50, got her start in the field as assistant town clerk in Manchester under Linda Spence.
"I couldn't be prouder for her. I think she's learned the importance of continuing education. She's really become an example for some of the newer clerks," Spence said.
Spence said she was excited to be at the annual meeting on Monday when Pinsonault was given the award.
While she now lives in Dorset with her husband, Pinsonault grew up in Manchester. Taking the job as assistant clerk in Manchester in 1999, where she served until her election in Dorset in 2005, changed Pinsonault's life.
"It's such a privilege and honor to serve all of my constituents. It's the only job I've had that I love doing every day. I can't imagine doing anything else but serving the people in Dorset," she said.
As clerk, Pinsonault and Dorset's Assistant Town Clerk Shelly Sheldon are responsible for maintaining land records, death and birth certificates, supervising elections and issuing dog licenses and licenses for the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife, among other duties.
According to Kayser, the association, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, has almost 375 members, including town clerks, assistant town clerks and retired clerks.
patrick.mcardle@rutlandherald.com
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