Letter of Appreciation To The Medfield Community

Letter To The Medfield Community...

Appreciation

As the dust settles on the election, I would like to take a moment to extend my heartfelt thanks to the dedicated election staff, town staff and poll workers who ensured its success. The smooth execution of this important democratic process is no small feat, and their hard work, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to our community deserve our recognition and appreciation.

What many may not realize is the incredible amount of work that takes place in the days, weeks and months leading up to an election. From meticulously preparing voting materials to ensuring that polling places are set up and accessible, our election staff faced numerous logistical challenges, all while keeping the process secure, fair and efficient. The level of coordination involved in making sure that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to cast their vote is truly remarkable.

The Assistant Town Clerk and Election Warden, Tracey Klenk, has put forth a level of organization and coordination that is unparalleled. There is simply no one else that could handle this job with the amount of heart and integrity given. The Assistant Election Warden, Molly Sliney, kept the flow of voters moving and coordinated the large number of poll workers throughout the day. Her energy and positive attitude was amazing. The Police Chief, Michelle Guerette, and the ENTIRE staff of officers were so helpful and truly made our election workers feel safe. The facilities department, Wayne Langille, was working long hours for us with the setup and tear down of the polling sites. Wayne went above and beyond. The DPW director, Maurice Goulet and the ENTIRE DPW staff are always at the ready, are essential in the preparation, set up, and tear down of the polling locations. The Council of Aging Director, Sarah Hanifan, is so gracious and welcoming. Your collaboration and professionalism is much appreciated. Town Administration, Kristine Trierweiler and Frank Gervasio, truly run a staff of team players and have offered a level of incomparable support. The words "thank you" are simply not enough.

Poll workers play a pivotal role in this process. On Election Day, they rise early and work 16 hours, greeting voters, assisting them with the voting process, and ensuring that everything runs smoothly at polling stations. Their dedication ensures that our elections remain accessible, transparent, and secure. In the face of long hours and, at times, difficult situations, these workers consistently demonstrate patience, professionalism, and a sense of civic duty that we should all admire. This year we also had National Honor Society Student volunteers at the polls. They were amazing, positive, curious and beyond helpful. So many voters commented about the wonderful nature of our students!

But the work doesn’t end once the polls close. In the days following the election, election staff work tirelessly to verify paperwork and coordinate with the Office of the Secretary of State. This painstaking process is essential to preserving the integrity of our elections.

To the election staff and poll workers who served, I want to express my deepest gratitude. Your work is the foundation of our democracy, and your dedication to fairness and transparency ensures that every vote counts. As a community, we owe you a debt of gratitude for the countless hours you have already invested and for the effort that lies ahead. To the voters, thank you for your cooperation and patience.

Let us take a moment to pause and realize everything that went into the elections of 2024. Let us all take a moment to appreciate the essential role these individuals play in our democratic process, and may we support them in every way possible. Together, we can ensure that our elections continue to be a reflection of the values we hold dear.

Your Town Clerk,

Marion Bonoldi