A city or town clerk is a bonded official who is the municipality’s official record keeper. The clerk:
- Keeps vital record (G.L. c.41 §15 and G.L. c.66 §6)
- Serves as the municipality’s chief election officer (G.L. c.41 §15)
- Submits all new town bylaws to the Attorney General for review and approval (G.L. c.44 §32)
- Records all the votes of the legislative body (G.L. c.41 §15)
- Certifies election results (G.L. c.41 §15)
- Gives oath of office to newly elected, reelected, and appointed officials (G.L. c.41 §15 & G.L. c.41 §107) G.L. c41 §107
- Certifies all debt notes and bonds (G.L. c44 §24)
- And in a city, keeps all municipal contracts (G.L. c.41 §17)
How does the city or town clerk interact with DLS?
- Submits Proposition 2 ½ ballot question election results
- Certifies oath of office has been administered
- Submits borrowing authorization report ( G.L. c.44 §28)
- Certifies information on Page 4 of Tax Rate Recap in Gateway
- “Sign” LA-5 Options & Certification form in Gateway
- Submit notification of local option excise adoptions
- Submit notification of adoptions impacting property taxes
- Serves as DLS Gateway local account administrators
- Updates Local Officials Directory (LOD)
- Certifies warrant articles approved by town meeting
City or town clerks are responsible for the maintenance, disposition and preservation of municipal archival records and materials.
- General and zoning bylaws (G.L. c.40 §32B)
- Election results (G.L. c.41 §15 and G.L. c.39 §3)
- Resignations and appointments, and administers the oath of office (G.L. c.41 §15)
- Publications ( G.L. c.66 §6A)
- Town meeting minutes (G.L. c.41 §15)
- Financial statements including budget documents (G.L. c.66 §6A)
- Licenses
- Local census taking (G.L. c.51§4)
City or town clerks may have additional responsibilities with oversight by other state or federal agencies not included in this document.
| Date published: | December 31, 2025 |
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