Town clerk leaves post after 14 years in Groton
Groton — Betsy Moukawsher, Groton’s town clerk for the past 14 years, said the town clerk’s office typically serves as the “first face of the town” when people are looking for help.
“The best part is someone comes in, and they explain what they need, and we find the answer or we help them,” Moukawsher said, adding that working with the public is her favorite part of the job.
After 14 years, Moukawsher resigned, effective this past Saturday, because she said it’s time to do something else.
The Town Council will now appoint someone to fill the rest of her term, which ends Dec. 31, 2025.
“I've been in the position for 14 years, which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed,” Moukawsher, 61, said. “It’s been a great, great pleasure of my life to meet everyone and help everyone with all their needs.”
She said she and her husband, Thomas G. Moukawsher, a former state legislator and Groton Town councilor, who resigned as Superior Court judge in October, both believe they’ve given back to their community in a helpful way and are leaving their positions at the same time so they can enjoy life.
She said being town clerk is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week job, and she would like to spend more time with her family and grandchildren and also have more time to take care of her health and pursue hobbies, including playing the piano, flute and violin.
Moukawsher moved to Groton in 1985 and became involved in the local Democratic party in 1987. Moukawsher, who worked in the private sector and for herself in retail and mail-order businesses, served three terms on the Representative Town Meeting before running for her first term as town clerk in 2009.
The town clerk’s office performs a myriad of duties, including processing and retaining vital records and land transactions, licensing dogs, certifying official records, notarizing documents, supporting boards and commissions, and serving as the clerk for the Town Council and Representative Town Meeting.
“We’re lucky to have the government that we have,” Moukawsher said. “The town employees are fantastic. We really are a group that works well and gets a lot done.”
She said she counts among her proudest accomplishments steps to move the office forward, such as enabling electronic land records and the online ordering of vital records — and hiring excellent people.
“I’ve had excellent staff the whole time I’ve been town clerk,” she said.
She noted that she is proud of all her employees and pointed out that former employee Antoinette Pancaro is now North Stonington Town Clerk.
Democratic Town Chairwoman Natalie Billing said Moukawsher’s departure from the town clerk’s office is going to be a “huge loss for the town” and praised Moukawsher’s deep caring, dedication and devotion to the town, and her institutional knowledge and experience.
Billing named Moukawsher, who served as a longtime chair of the Democratic party, as her mentor, teacher and inspiration to get involved and stay involved with the local Democratic party.
“She was the heart and soul and the heavy lifter for the Groton Democratic party,” Billing said. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without her.”
Town Mayor Rachael Franco said that throughout Moukawsher’s 14 years as town clerk, she has been a valuable resource for the town.
“Her long-term dedication and commitment to serving our community have left a lasting impact,” Franco said. “Betsy’s expertise and her professional contributions have been influential in our Town’s growth. I extend my appreciation for her service and wish her a carefree retirement filled with adventure and relaxation.”
“Betsy was a valued official with the town for over 14 years,” said Town Manager John Burt. “Her years of experience and expertise will be difficult to replace. I am happy for her as she moves into the next phase of her life.”
Moukawsher was re-elected in 2021 to a four-year term. By town charter, the town council has 45 days to appoint someone to fill the remainder of her term. The council was expected to discuss the process and “potentially make changes to the Town Clerk’s Job Description, Salary, and other similar matters” at its Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday evening, according to the agenda. The town clerk’s annual salary currently is $70,380, according to Burt.