Town Clerk

Town Clerk Responsibilities

The Truro Town Clerk's Office serves as the town's central administrative and record-keeping authority, fulfilling a broad range of essential functions for residents and all municipal bodies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Official Record Keeper: The Town Clerk is the official custodian of all Town Meeting records and vital records (births, deaths, marriages) for Truro, dating back to the 1700s. 

• Chief Election Official: As Truro's primary election authority, the Town Clerk manages every aspect of elections. This includes overseeing voter registration, absentee ballots, ballot preparation, polling place operations, and certifying nomination papers and results to the Secretary of State. The Clerk works in conjunction with the Board of Registrars to ensure fair and accurate elections.

• Licensing and Permits: This office issues various state licenses and permits, such as marriage licenses, business certificates (DBAs), dog licenses, fuel storage licenses, and raffle/bazaar permits. 

• Official Document Management: The Town Clerk records and certifies all official actions of the Town, including Town Meeting legislation, appropriations, and decisions from the Planning and Zoning Boards. The Clerk is also the keeper of the Town Seal and ensures bylaws and zoning ordinances are submitted to the Attorney General for approval.

• Governmental Administration: The Clerk administers oaths of office and maintains records of appointments and resignations for all Town Officials. Crucially, the office helps ensure compliance with State Open Meeting Law and Conflict of Interest Law by posting all public meeting notices.

• Role with the Board of Registrars and Resident Census: Beyond managing elections, the Town Clerk serves as a vital member of the Truro Board of Registrars. In this capacity, the Clerk plays a key role in maintaining the accuracy and integrity of Truro's voter rolls. This includes actively overseeing voter registration processes, ensuring all eligible residents are properly registered to vote. Additionally, the Clerk is responsible for managing the annual census of town residents, a crucial task that helps maintain up-to-date demographic information for Truro, supporting various town services and planning initiatives.

• Public Information & Liaison: The office serves as a primary point of contact, responding to inquiries from the public and collaborating with other town departments, boards, and committees. 

In essence, the Truro Town Clerk's Office acts as the custodian of the past and a vital link to the future, ensuring the smooth and transparent operation of local government for everyone in the community.

_{For Records Requests email to:  rao@truro-ma.gov} 

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes