Town Clerk

Town Clerk office hours:  Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8AM - 4:30PM Tuesday 8 AM- 7 PM

The Town Clerk's office will be closed for Mass Town Clerks Association training all day on June 7-8 and in training from 11:30-4:30 on June 15.

For their convenience, residents are encouraged to utilize online services via our payment portal or by email.  

We know you are busy! Feel free to call the office at (978) 468-5520 x1 or email to townclerk@wenhamma.gov ahead of time with special requests to shorten your wait time for things like birth certificates and getting a marriage license. We are happy to schedule an appointment for you. Notary services are only available by appointment at this time. The notary will not be available May 25-June 5.

In honor of Memorial Day, please check out all the issues of Wenham Wanderings, a charming war time newsletter written 1943-1945 for Wenham's service members to keep them abreast of all the gossip and news from home.

Kirsten Alexander, Town Clerk 
Terry Mansfield, Interim Assistant Town Clerk

978-468-5520 x1
townclerk@wenhamma.gov

Often considered the gateway to local government and the community, the Office of the Town Clerk serves as the central information point for residents and visitors alike.  It is the mission of this office to be a reliable provider of information and quality services to the community and its residents, and to work cooperatively and in concert with all departments, boards, and committees while complying with state and local statutes.

The Town Clerk's office welcomes inquiries seeking assistance/information in relation to services provided by the Town. We will assist in redirecting any question to the appropriate department. 

Many transactions can be completed online (with credit card or echeck) or by mail. In person payments must be made by cash or check. 

On City Hall Systems (https://epay.cityhallsystems.com/ you can order and pay by credit card for:

  • Pleasant Pond Beach Parking Passes 
  • Dog licenses
  • Official copies of existing vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates)

In person, residents can do all of the above plus:

  • Obtain a receipt for materials to dispose of at the DPW at the Iron Rail (91 Grapevine Road)
  • Take out marital intentions to get a marriage license
  • File a Business certificate (DBA)
  • Register a new to Wenham dog
  • Take out papers to run for office and get sworn in once appointed or elected
  • Voter registration (done automatically when you change address with the Registry of Moter Vehicles)
  • Raffle Permits
  • Buy a copy of the Annual Street List book
  • Public records requests
  • Wenham history or genealogy queries  


Duties of the Town Clerk:
The Town Clerk is the Chief Election Official. The Clerk supervises voter registration, oversees polling places, election officers, and the general conduct of all elections. The Clerk directs the preparation of ballots, polling places, voting equipment, voting lists, administers campaign finance laws, certifies nomination papers and initiative petitions, and serves on the Board of Registrars. The Clerk's office conducts the annual town census and prepares the street list of residents.

 The Town Clerk is the keeper of the town seal. The Town Clerk attests by signature and seal to bonds, contracts, bylaws, resolutions and any other documents requiring town certification. The Clerk provides certified copies of vital records and conducts genealogical research for members of the public, and is responsible for maintenance, disposition, and preservation of municipal archival records and materials. The Town Clerk administers the oath of office to all town officials, elected and appointed.
 
The Town Clerk certifies the residency of veterans’ who qualify for state bonuses, receives board and committee meeting postings, administers and records oaths of office to town officials; submits zoning by-law and town by-law changes to the Attorney General, and sends the Jury List to the Secretary of State. The Town Clerk is also responsible for overseeing the State mandated compliance of all employees, and board and committee members, to be sure they follow through annually with any required Conflict of Interest / State Ethics Laws documentation.

In addition, the Wenham Town Clerk issues marriage licenses, dog tag licenses, storage of flammables, business certificates, and raffle permits, and serves as the Chief Public Records Access Officer.

The Wenham Town Clerk is elected for a three (3) year term. At the Annual Town Election in 2024, voters will decide whether to stay with an elected Town Clerk or move to an appointed one.

Town Clerks are committed to work beyond the scope of the mandates and customs of their communities and serve the citizens as the focal point of town government.
 

Wenham Town Clerks Through the years

 

Town Hall Hours

Monday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Tuesday 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Wednesday & Thursday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Friday Closed

Contact Town Hall

Phone: 978-468-5520

Fax: 978-468-8014

138 Main Street

Wenham, MA 01984

 

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