Town Clerk Candidate Stephanie Lucarelli

In preparation for the upcoming town elections, Arlington Patch sat down to talk with all of the candidates running for major office. We've been bringing our readers profiles on all of the different candidates, giving you an inside look at their backgrounds, experiences and their views on the issues.

Current Assistant Stephanie Lucarelli is one of two candidates running for a three-year term as Town Clerk. Lucarelli faces newly-retired Selectman John Hurd in the race for Town Clerk. Voters will choose one candidate to serve a three-year term.

A lifelong Arlington resident, Stephanie Lucarelli has been working in for the past 22 years. After serving five years as a secretary in the ’s office, Lucarelli moved to her current post as Assistant Town Clerk, where she has worked for the past 17 years.

Patch: The Town Clerk’s office oversees many aspects of town business, from licensing to vital records to Town Meetings. What do you think the incoming Town Clerk should do to make the office run more efficiently?

Stephanie Lucarelli: We run pretty efficiently right now, but there are always things that we could better. It’s important that we update our technology. I would love to update our computer software and digitize our historic records, if the funding allows. I’d love to have a computer on the counter in the office where people could come to look up their genealogy and other things. We’re also looking into an online dog licensing application.

Patch: The Town Clerk’s office serves a hub for many other town offices, as well as a catch-all for residents’ questions and concerns. If elected as Town Clerk, what specifically will you do to improve communication between the Town Clerk’s office and the rest of the town? How can the Town Clerk’s office enhance those relationships? 

Stephanie Lucarelli: Right now we have a web Q&A where residents can ask questions and also send e-mails to us I they have additional questions. I have been running that in my current position. We get a lot of phone calls for every other office, we make sure people get directed to the correct office so they can get what they need.

Patch:  Running town elections is one the most important roles of the Town Clerk’s office. What do you think the Town Clerk can do to improve election procedures?

Stephanie Lucarelli: During the 2010 election we were able to e-mail ballots to overseas voters and military personnel for the first time. We’ll look to use technology more in the future to make sure that everyone’s votes will be able to be counted on time.

Patch: What about your experience and background makes you the best person for this job?

Stephanie Lucarelli: 17 years on-the-job training. Anybody eventually can learn, but I’m already trained. We need to provide a smooth transition for the town and I think I’m the most qualified person to make sure that happens.

Check back with Arlington Patch for more candidate profiles before heading to the polls on April 2.