A proclamation, issued by Town of Pomfret on April 14 resolves that the week of May 2 through May 8 is designated as ” Professional Municipal Clerks Week.”

Unanimously adopted by town of Pomfret the Proclamation extends appreciation to all Municipal and Deputy Clerks for the services with which they provide their communities. Specifically, the Proclamation cites that the Clerk “serves as the professional link between the citizens, the local governing bodies and agencies of government at other levels.”

The Proclamation was presented to Allison Vento signed by Supervisor Daniel Pacos. It also honors Municipal and Deputy Clerks for “continually striving to improve the administration of their duties through participation in education programs, seminars, workshops and annual meetings of their state, province, county and international professional organizations.”

The International Institute of Municipal Clerks, a professional association of City, Town, Township, Village, Borough, Deputy and County Clerks, sponsors Municipal Clerks Week. The institute has 14,700 members throughout the United States, Canada and 15 other countries.

Institute President Mary Johnston, MMC, and Clerk of Council for the City of Westerville, Ohio, urges Municipal and Deputy Clerks to highlight the importance of their roles and functions and the impact the Municipal Clerk’s office has on the public.

“There are many responsibilities of the Municipal and Deputy Clerk that the public takes for granted, such as keeping the council advised of legislation that affects them,” said Johnston. “Yet, if Clerks are inattentive in their duties, then the efficient operation of our local government is greatly affected.

“The functions of the Clerk necessitate a thorough knowledge of law procedure, administration and interpersonal relations. To keep up with the consistent transformation in local government, many Clerks participate in continuing education and seminars and attending Clerk Institutes,” said Johnston.

Allison Vento has served as Pomfret’s Town Clerk, since June of 2013 and was Deputy Clerk from 2009-2013 and has been a member of the institute since 2013. She is also active in the Chautauqua County Municipal Clerks Association serving in the past as both Vice President and President. She is the Membership and IIMC Chair for the New York State Town Clerks Association, having previously served as District Director for District 10, (Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus Counties) from 2015-2017. She also serves on the Resolutions Committee for the NYS Association of Towns. She currently holds her Certified Municipal Clerk designation awarded by IIMC and is working towards the prestigious title of Master Municipal Clerk. She holds a bachelors from SUNY Empire in Business Administration. A lifelong resident of the Town of Pomfret, she resides with her husband, Lee, and son, Liam.