Town Clerk Trudy Reid is moving on

Published December 11, 2019

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — Trudy Reid’s five-and-a-half year tenure as town clerk is coming to an end next week.

Reid recently submitted her resignation as town clerk after accepting the same position in North Andover. She succeeded former Town Clerk Amy Summers in March 2014.

“I have really enjoyed my time in Lynnfield, the people I have worked with and the community I served,” said Reid. “North Andover has a little over twice the population of Lynnfield, and the clerk’s office has a few more areas of responsibility. The new job will provide additional opportunities to learn new skill sets and to serve a larger community.”

Reid said she is proud of several accomplishments over the course of her tenure as town clerk.

“One key accomplishment has been putting together the best election staff I have worked with to date as well as a more organized voting process at the polling location,” said Reid. “I worked to make the election workers’ functions more efficient and to improve the voting process and overall experience for voters on Election Day.”

Reid also said she is proud that she “assisted (with) the implementation of electronic check-in and electronic voting at Town Meeting to help make the process more efficient for all involved.”

“I’ve always said that customer service is a big part of the town clerk’s job,” added Reid. “I made several transactions in my office more convenient for the resident by adding online payments for vital records, online dog registration with online payment, and an online software program for public records requests. In general, I can leave with a good feeling that things in Lynnfield are on the right track.”

Prior to coming to Lynnfield, Reid was elected as Wenham’s town clerk, a position she held for four years. She was involved with Wenham’s elections for close to 10 years. She was elected Wenham’s moderator in April 2016.

“I still hold that position,” said Reid.

When asked what she will miss most about Lynnfield, Reid had only one answer.

“The people,” said Reid. “Before coming to Lynnfield, I was the elected town clerk for Wenham, where I have lived for over 25 years and I felt like I knew everyone. When I came to Lynnfield, I think I knew only three families. Over the last several years, I have come to know many residents and many co-workers, and all have treated me with respect and appreciation. And for that, I am grateful.”

Reid also offered some words of wisdom for her successor.

“The simple advice I can give is to paraphrase the title of the book from one of Lynnfield’s own, Steve DiFillippo (owner of the various Davio’s restaurants),” said Reid.  “The title of his book is, ‘It’s All About The Guest.’  I believe for the town clerk it’s all about the resident.  This customer service focus will go a long way to make the position a success.”

While Reid’s last day as town clerk will be Dec. 27, she plans on using vacation time in order to spend time with her family before beginning her tenure in North Andover on Monday, Dec. 30. She will be bidding farewell to Town Hall on Thursday, Dec. 19.

“Lynnfield has been a great community to work for with a very supportive administration,” said Reid. “During my tenure, I’ve worked for three town administrators and the Board of Selectmen has changed some over the years. Over all of my time, this support has been very positive. I would like to thank them as it helped me succeed. I would encourage my successor to seek out their advice and counsel.”

Officials offer praise

The Board of Selectmen paid tribute to Reid after they accepted her resignation during last week’s meeting.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Trudy for the last five-and-a-half years,” said Selectmen Chairman Phil Crawford. “She will be greatly missed. I think it will be hard to replace her, but I do wish her the best in her new endeavor as town clerk in North Andover.”

Selectman Chris Barrett agreed.

“Trudy brought great professionalism to the office of town clerk,” said Barrett. “She worked hand-in-hand with two moderators, and looked for ways to improve Town Meeting. I worked closely with her on a number of different issues and she has always been somebody we could go to. We have big shoes to fill, but I know we can do it. I wish her the best.”

Selectman Dick Dalton echoed Crawford and Barrett’s viewpoints.

“In her five-and-a-half years, Trudy brought a high degree of professionalism to the job,” said Dalton. “She moved the ball forward on so many fronts and she will be sorely missed. I am happy for her and her family, and I wish her nothing but the best going forward.”

Town Moderator Joe Markey said he has enjoyed working with Reid.

“Trudy brought an abundance of professionalism to the office of town clerk,” said Markey. “She was inclusive and opened the office to all residents. She will be missed.”

Former Town Moderator Arthur Bourque echoed Markey’s sentiment.

“It’s great for Trudy and sad for Lynnfield,” said Bourque. “Since her arrival, Trudy has brought that office up to current standards. Trudy has been great to work with and it will be difficult to replace her.”

In addition to accepting Reid’s resignation, the selectmen appointed Assistant Town Clerk Diane Hammerbeck as interim town clerk until a permanent successor is hired. The town clerk job was posted last week.

Reid is the third appointed official to announce their departure from town over the last month. Superintendent of Schools Jane Tremblay announced last month that she will be retiring at the end of June. Former Assessing Manager Ray Boly recently left town after being offered a similar position in Boston. Retired Assessing Manager Dick Simmons is currently holding that position on an interim basis.