AMHERST — Amherst officials will be searching for a new town clerk for the second time since the summer of 2018.
Shavena Martin, appointed as Amherst’s town clerk in October 2019, recently submitted her resignation to Town Manager Paul Bockelman.
Martin wrote in an email that it has been an honor to serve Amherst and she was grateful for the opportunity to be the town’s “#madamclerk,” as she has referred to herself.
“I will be continuing my career in management and utilizing all the skills I acquired as town clerk,” Martin wrote.
Bockelman praised Martin for her tenure in the town clerk’s office. Her last official day with the town is Dec. 11.
“Shavena was a terrific addition to our town staff, brought positive energy to our town hall, and deep experience with elections,” Bockelman said.
After she was selected for the position, Bockelman said Martin, who had worked as an election specialist in Springfield and done extensive outreach to voters in the community, would focus in Amherst on the design and implementation of ranked-choice voting for elections, standardize protocols for elections, and assist with the 2020 census efforts.
“I respect her decision and clearly this is a loss for the town,” Bockelman said.
Before submitting her resignation, Martin was on an extended medical leave that has put Assistant Town Clerk Susan Audette in charge on an interim basis.
Martin’s departure means the town will have its third permanent town clerk in less than three years following the June 2018 retirement of Sandra Burgess, who was in the position for nearly 12 years.
Bockelman said the position will be posted as soon as possible.