Town clerk reports staffing, website, election and tech updates; new deputy begins

Brookfield’s town clerk updated the selectboard on staffing, election preparations, software migration and equipment requests during the Feb. 18 meeting.

The clerk said Elizabeth Beeney began as a deputy on Feb. 4 and that office work continues on updated voter registration documentation requirements and absentee ballots; residents were reminded that new documentation (proof of citizenship or passport/certificate) is required and that absentee ballots remain available. The clerk reported the town will begin training on a new CivicPlus website product and is reviewing timing and staff training before going live.

On election logistics, the board confirmed staffing and an accessible voting booth must be set up and tested; the clerk estimated setup and testing would take at least two hours and coordinated volunteer assignments and equipment testing for the March election. The clerk also described steps to enable credit-card payments for town services via a new clearing-account profile, targeting a rollout by June 1.

Technology and equipment items discussed included selecting a laptop and a meeting/tower camera system (the clerk cited a $1,200 library camera purchase for comparison); the clerk and IT contacts were working to standardize a purchase the town will support. The clerk also reported an ongoing effort to tidy online postings ahead of the CivicPlus migration and encouraged a discussion before the new site goes live to plan user training.

Ending The clerk will continue coordinating election setup, equipment testing and CivicPlus training with staff; the selectboard asked for cost estimates and compatibility confirmation from IT before approving final equipment purchases.