Three candidates running for town clerk at Norwell election Saturday

NORWELL − Two political newcomers will challenge the incumbent town clerk in the only contest on the annual town election ballot.

Voters will go to the polls Saturday, May 20. Donna Snow and Dannielle Shepherd are challenging Town Clerk Patricia Anderson, who has been in the position since 2008 and is seeking her eighth term.

No other candidates for town positions will be challenged in the election. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Incumbent Norwell town clerk touts experience in bid for reelection

Anderson, 72, has lived in Norwell for 62 years and started working at town hall in 1996 as a data collector for the board of assessors. She then was the assistant town clerk for nine years. She said she is a 2016 graduate of the New England Municipal Clerks Institute and Academy and a certified municipal clerk.

"Through my experience, education, commitment and qualifications to serve the town, I understand the complex responsibilities of the job," she said, adding that 90% of the role is governed by state law. "There was no learning curve coming in because I was assistant town clerk for nine years."

Anderson said she has a strong understanding of all aspects of the job, from maintaining business and vital records to following state election and voting laws.

"I'm proud of the fact that I earned the trust of residents, colleagues and department heads who contact me for assistance in many aspects of town resources, services and functions," she said.

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Dannielle Shepherd wants to 'keep up with the times'

Shepherd, 39, has lived in Norwell for 13 years and has worked as the general manager of Norwell Package and General Store for nine years. She previously worked at several museums, including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, and has a master's degree in museum registration and collections management from Seton Hall University.

"I'm running to take my experience from the general store and bring it to the clerk's office to improve the customer experience," she said, adding that modernization is her top priority. "It should be easier to take care of business. The office hasn't kept up with the times. You can't get a dog license online, but you can in other communities, and the website is terribly dated and not easy to navigate."

If elected, Shepherd said she will complete training and earn qualifications that are only available to sitting town clerks, such as becoming a certified municipal clerk.

"I completed training on the Open Meeting Law and I'm absolutely committed to maintaining the professionalism of the clerk’s office," she said.

Norwell clerk candidate Donna Snow already works for town

Snow, 53, grew up in Norwell and moved back in 2014 after living in another community for a few years. She has a degree in business management from Regis College and worked in the insurance industry before taking a job as the administrative assistant to the town's water superintendent in 2015.

"My private and municipal experience make me an ideal candidate, and the fact that I have roots in this town," she said. "I have a strong technology background and a proven track record with residents, businesses and contractors, and I'm connected to this community. It's about a new challenge."

In her current role, Snow works with a staff of eight people and the three-member board of water commissioners to oversee a range of responsibilities, from annual reports to water testing, and handles 3,800 residential and commercial accounts in town.

"I interact well with people, have a can-do attitude and try to help people find the solution they need," she said. "The timing is right and so is my skill set."

Snow said is a notary public and is committed to pursuing all certifications available if she is elected town clerk.

Reach Jessica Trufant at jtrufant@patriotledger.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Anderson, Shepherd, Snow run for Norwell town clerk in 2023 election