The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Town clerk cherishes tight-knit community
New department head sees a chance for growth in position
EAST HAMPTON — A fresh face now greets residents as they enter the town clerk’s office — that of Kelly Bilodeau, the new department head.
A veteran of some two decades working in Hartford municipal government, Bilodeau was chosen from some 30 applicants to fill the position most recently held by Sandra Wieleba, who left East Hampton in August to become town clerk in Rocky Hill.
Bilodeau began work in East Hampton Nov. 7, the day after Election Day. When she saw the job opening, “What I saw was an
opportunity to be a town clerk, and I came to look at that furthering that opportunity. I looked at this as a possibility for growth in the town clerk’s position,” she said. Also, “I liked the idea of working in a smaller community,” Bilodeau said.
“Over the years, I had a lot of experience in the clerk’s office, which gave me a lot of experience and background in town clerking,” said Bilodeau, “a Hartford resident, born and raised.”
She has service to the community in her DNA. Her mother Betty Szubyinski, now retired, worked in town government since Bilodeau was 8. She was the senior administrator for Hartford’s city manager and served eight supervisors in that capacity, Bilodeau said.
“I’m passionate about serving my community, and I looked at the fact I could help community members and give back, and hope to expand on the services that are available. I want to do the best I can for the people you know and are seeing every day,” she said.
So far, “There are every nice people here, and I am greatly enjoying getting
to know them,” Bilodeau said.
Soft-spoken she may be, but Bilodeau has both a ready wit and pleasant laugh. “I’m exceptionally lucky to have such a good assistant” in the person of Assistant Clerk Bernice C. Bartlett, she said.
For the two months between the time Wieleba left and Bilodeau arrived: “I was alone for two months — exactly two months,” Bartlett said. That meant Bartlett had to manage two budget referenda and the municipal election. “It was stressful — very stressful,” she said.
She did have access to Patty Burnham, a “floater,” a part-time town employee who divided her time between the clerk’s, assessor’s and revenue collection offices.
When Bilodeau arrived, Bartlett’s response reflected her relief: “Oh, dear Lord, thank you!” Bartlett recalled saying. “It’s wonderful having someone else in the office,” she added.
“We’ve been very busy the last couple of days. We’re playing a lot of catch-up. This is a multitasking role. There are so many services we provide,” Bilodeau said. “We’re here for the community. We answer any and every question we can. Our goal is when someone walks
in with the problem or a question, they walk out satisfied,” she added.
Town Manager Michael Maniscalco introduced Bilodeau to the Town Council at its regular meeting Tuesday evening. Maniscalco said he had pared the list of applicants from the approximately 30 people who applied down to seven semi-finalists.
A panel comprising town staff and a resident who uses the clerk’s office on a regular basis further reduced that pool to three finalists. Maniscalco, Director of Finance Jeffrey M. Jylkka and Human Resources Coordinator Lisa Seymour then interviewed the applicants.
“Of all the candidates, Kelly stuck out by having a significant amount of both education and experience [so,] we were sure she could handle the pressure and make the office better,” Maniscalco said.
“I’m very excited to be here in the town of East Hampton. I have an excellent staff member, and I feel very fortunate to be here. I’ve met everyone from all the departments, and I’m glad to be on board,” Bilodeau told the council.