05/08/2026
Until Wednesday this week, I had been out for almost a week. I spent some time down in Kentucky celebrating my pending PhD dissertation defense - I was reminded this afternoon that this week is National Municipal Clerk Appreciation Week!
I would like to publicly recognize and thank Hopedale Town Clerk Lisa Pedroli and Assistant Town Clerk Ellen Murphy.
Town Clerks not only ensure our democracy runs smoothly, honestly, and with integrity-but also keep, store, maintain, and serve as the gatekeepers of our public records, agendas, calendars, and historical archives. They are there for constituents in happy moments (birth certificates, pet licenses, new business licenses etc.), and in some of their worst (death certificates, other sensitive records). They also often act as the first point of contact for constituents with myriad questions or complaints.
Hopedale is blessed to have these two - Ellen Murphy has a long history of municipal leadership, serving as the longtime director of the Milford Housing Authority in addition to many other community leadership roles. Lisa Pedroli has an extensive history of distinguished public service that spans decades, and is truly the type of person who belongs in public service.
Both of these women serve as the heartbeat of municipal government - and as a man with two young daughters who, because of the job, often has to bring his kids into the office - serve as role models to young aspiring leaders in the community.
