CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The Select Board appointed a temporary town clerk, effective immediately, during a special meeting held on Tuesday.

 

Paul McLatchy III, town clerk and administrative assistant in Rowe, has stepped into the vacancy. 

 

The town has been without a town clerk with the departure of Carol Jammalo, who gave notice in mid-July. Officials have been scrambling to cover voter registration and the upcoming special town meeting set for Aug. 26. 

 

"A lot of people have stepped up to the plate to help out and that's why I'm recognizing Jeanne Moulthrop, who spent four hours of her time," Select Board Chairman Ronald Boucher said for aiding in covering voter registration on Saturday. "People like that, they make a difference."

 

Boucher also noted the work that Stone and Select Board member Danielle Luchi had been doing to prepare for the special town meeting and upcoming state primary. 

 

The town will vote at the special town meeting on Aug. 26 whether to make the elected town clerk an appointed position as the town accountant and treasurer/tax collector have been for nearly a decade. 

 

Stone said she had reached out for help. "We really have a tremendous amount of work that has to be done this week," she said, and that McLatchy had offered to help out.

 

McLatchy arrives just in time for a second voter registration to be held on Saturday, Aug. 22, for state primary on Sept. 1. Voters may register or change party status on Saturday between the hours of 2 and 4 p.m. and 7 and 8 p.m. at the Senior Center on West Cross Road. 

 

Other upcoming voter deadlines are: 

 

• Last day to apply for an absentee/early vote ballot by mail is Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 5 p.m.

 

• Last day to apply in person for an absentee ballot for the state primary is Monday, Aug. 31, at noon

 

• The state primary is Tuesday, Sept. 1, and voting will be held at the Senior Center from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

 

• Early in-person voting for the primary can be done at the Senior Center on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 2 to 4 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 23, from 2 to 4 p.m. and Monday, Aug. 24, from 11 to 4 p.m.

 

Town officials are reminding everyone to remember to wear a mask and maintain social distancing if you plan to register or to vote in person.