Council elects Vitale as new Town Clerk

Will begin three-year term on July 8

By Joseph Domelowicz Jr.

A close 5-4 vote of the Town Council on Tuesday night resulted in the election of Town Manager Secretary Carla Vitale as the next Town Clerk for the town of Winthrop.
Councilors Joseph Ferrino, James Letterie, Nick DelVento, Russ Sanford and Phil Boncore each voted for Vitale.
Councilors Richard Gill, Jeanne Maggio, Linda Calla and Council President Thomas Reilly each cast their votes for assistant Town Clerk Susan Duplin.
There was little debate about the candidates before the vote was taken. However, several councilors did take the opportunity to thank each of the three candidates for the position and also praised each as having their own individual strengths and qualifications for the position.
Councilor Maggio began the discussion prior to the vote, by praising and thanking all the candidates, but said she was making the vote she did because Duplin, “stood out because she has already begun the state certification process to be a Clerk” and because of her knowledge of the state laws, and election process which make up the bulk of the Clerk’s job, and because Duplin has already served in the position on an interim basis when retiring Clerk Claire Sheltry has been away.
“This should not be on the job training,” said Maggio.
However, Coumcior Ferrino noted that in the past the Clerk’s position had been an elected position and thus had “always been a learn as you go position.”
“We must make the decision we believe is best for the future, and for the growth of the community,” said Ferrino. “In my belief that person is Carla Vitale and with her and Sue working together we will have one of the best clerk offices in the state.”
Other councilors also took the opportunity, prior to the vote, to thank each of the three candidates, who were all interviewed by the full council in open session on Tuesday, June 12 at Town Hall.