New Scotland Archives — The Altamont Enterprise, July 17, 2008
Deschenes recognized by Town clerks Association
By David S. Lewis
NEW SCOTLAND – After serving as the town's clerk and tax collector for nearly eight years, Diane Deschenes has been awarded certification as a Registered Municipal Clerk by the New York State Town Clerks Association.
Deschenes earned her certification through a combination of “Numerous hours of education and leadership in various professional and civic organizations,” according to a release from the association, which promotes the professional development of town clerks.
Deschenes downplayed the accomplishment.
“Basically, it's just a title that says I have had a lot of education applying to my position,” she said.
New Scotland’s town clerk since 2000, Deschenes said she felt that the clerk’s office had “accomplished an awful lot.
“I think the biggest accomplishment is in our records-management program,’ she said. “We applied for, and received, a lot of grants in the last few years, totaling over $100,000 and we’ve made a lot of improvements in that area.”
Deschenes also belongs to the Albany and Schenectady town clerk associations, which offer accredited training. Through those programs and other professional development courses, she was able to accumulate enough points to submit the application to the Town Clerks Association. She said becoming a registered town clerk was a way to look toward the future of her job, which is a job she likes.
“It’s not like I hope to leave my job today,” said Deschenes of the elected post. “I hope to be here for a long, long time!”
Deschenes said she enjoys her job because it gives her a chance to work for her community.
“I like it because you deal with a variety of issues, and you deal with friends and neighbors. It’s a good bunch in this town, you know,” she said.
The Enterprise asked Deschenes what she considered the most important qualities of a successful town clerk.
“I think being open, honest, and keeping a smile,” she said with a laugh. “In my office, we just try to do the best job we can to serve everyone and be as friendly and as open as possible,” said Deschenes.