BRATTLEBORO — Brattleboro resident Hilary Francis will succeed long-serving Town Clerk Annette Cappy later this year.
Cappy, an award-winning clerk, will step down in December after more than 20 years in the Brattleboro town offices.
The Selectboard unanimously approved Francis's appointment on Oct. 18.
According to Town Manager Peter Elwell, Francis has 16 years experience in different professional settings including working in the executive offices of C & S Wholesale Grocers in their Keene, New Hampshire, and Brattleboro offices. She holds degrees from George Washington University and Antioch University New England.
Town Manager Peter Elwell explained that Francis rose to the top of a “very strong field of candidates.”
“It's an outcome we're very happy with,” he said.
Elwell explained that two committees - a selection committee and an advisory committee - vetted the applicants.
The six-member selection committee narrowed the applications to eight candidates. That committee consisted of Assistant Town Manager Patrick Moreland, Selectboard member John Allen, Town Attorney Robert Fisher, and Elwell.
Then the advisory committee took over for round two of the process. Selectboard Chair David Gartenstein, Brooks Library Director Starr LaTronica, Assistant Town Clerks Jane E. Fletcher and Amanda Sak, and two community members then recommended their top pick.
Elwell said the two committees recommended Francis nine to one.
The town clerk's position, like the town treasurer, is an appointment made by the Selectboard and ratified by Representative Town Meeting, Elwell said, adding that town meeting members must vote to ratify the appointment at the March 2017 Representative Town Meeting.
Francis will take on the role gradually. She will assist during the Nov. 8 general election, then start training in the office on Nov. 29. She will take over full time on Dec. 30.