Following an in-camera session on Sept. 1, councillors here have appointed Jane Steller as the new clerk for the town.
That appointment effectively replaces Marsha Paley, who’d been appointed as Minto’s clerk a little more than one year ago.
But Steller’s appointment is temporary, until the town hires a CAO/Clerk as recommended in its recent administrative restructuring.
In an email to the Wellington Advertiser office on Sept. 3, municipal coordinator Bill Winegard stated that Stellar is a retired clerk from Wilmot Township in Waterloo Region, but was born and raised in the Palmerston area.
Steller has run five municipal elections in that area and, of course, keeping the Minto municipal election on course will be her highest priority in the next few months.
Winegard said Steller will be in the office on a part-time basis, but more often as needed during the election period.
On Sept. 3, an email was sent to Winegard seeking clarification as to what this meant regarding Paley.
A phone call to Mayor David Anderson early that morning indicated he would respond soon. A press release from the Town of Minto was issued early that afternoon stating, “Marsha Paley was employed for over one year with the Town of Minto, starting in June 2009. Unfortunately, due to restructuring, her position has been eliminated.
“While at the Town of Minto, Marsha made a number of significant contributions both within and outside of the municipality. Most notably, Ms. Paley was instrumental in assisting the town in receiving funding for the rehabilitation of the Arthur Street Bridge and the unanimous support by all local municipalities in the County of Wellington for an Active Transportation Plan.”
“We would like to extend our gratitude to Ms. Paley for her service to the town and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”
The bylaw stated the new clerk’s duties are:
– to record, without note or comment, all resolutions, decisions and other proceedings of the council;
– if required by any member present at a vote, to record the name and vote of every member voting on any matter or questions;
– to keep the originals or copies of all bylaws and of all minutes of the proceedings of the council;
– to perform the other duties required under this act or under any other act; and
– to perform such other duties as are assigned by the municipality.
The bylaw appointing Steller as clerk, also repealed last year’s bylaw which had appointed Paley to the position.
