Windsor Locks Town Clerk Recognized by Colleagues

Windsor Locks’ William R. Hamel has been named 2012 Town Clerk of  the Year by the Connecticut Town Clerks Association.

Hamel, 65, was recognized by the association at its fall conference in September.

“I was very honored by it obviously,” Hamel said

Hamel has been town clerk for 20 years, and is the third-longest serving person in that position in Windsor Locks’ history. There have been 17 town clerks since 1854.

In the past, Hamel said he was reluctant to let anyone nominate for the recognition because the nominee had to fill out a form highlighting his or her accomplishments.  Hamel said it was appropriate to tout his own accomplishments.

“I had been nominated several times,” Hamel said. “I didn’t want my name on the ballot.”

Once the procedures were changed, he became more amenable.

In his nomination by Sterling Town Clerk Catherine Nurmi, Hamel is highlighted as having served as the association’s treasurer for  many years. He’s served on the FOI Liaison Committee, chaired the Scholarship committee, and has been a member of the association’s executive board.

His community involvement includes 30 years as a justice of the peace; served on five charter revision commissions; 40 years on the Democratic Town Committee; 16 years on the sewer commission; committee on needs for the aging; a Boy Scout Leader; and was named 2008 Democrat of the Year.