Rochester town clerk not to seek reelection, position to be discussed

ROCHESTER — Rochester Town Clerk Paul Dawson announced on Tuesday, Feb. 22 that he is not seeking reelection to his position, citing “serious health problems” involving close family.

“It has been my distinct honor and pleasure to have been [served] in this important role,” said Dawson. “I am grateful to the Select Board for first placing their trust in me in appointing me to this position. I am also extremely thankful for the voters of Rochester who elected me to continue to do this work.”

Dawson was first appointed as Rochester Town Clerk in 2020 after the previous town clerk, Nadia Parker, retired. He was then reelected in the following town election.

Now, said Rochester Select Board Chair Woody Hartley, this may be a good time to look at making the town clerk an appointed rather than an elected position.

“The Town Clerk’s job is much more difficult and requires a high level of professionalism,” said Hartley. “There are many, many important things that they do.”

Town clerks manage daily operations like assisting town boards and committees, stamping town documents and running elections.

In 2020, Rochester residents were asked to vote on if the town clerk should become an appointed position. Of the voters that weighed in, 451 said the Town Clerk should be appointed, and 528 said the Town Clerk should be elected.

Before the 2020 vote, Hartley pointed out that towns of similar sizes have a mix of appointed and elected Town Clerks. He noted that elected officials are allowed to set their own hours, while the town can set hours for appointed officials.

Hiring a town clerk would also allow the town to hire assistants for the clerk, as many other towns do.

“It really does take a lot more [work] than it used to take and [Dawson has] done a great job of straightening out, organizing and reorganizing that office over the last three years, he will be greatly missed.”

In the meantime, “nomination papers are still available for at least another month,” said Hartley, who encouraged residents to consider running for election.