Dems’ incumbent Deschenes challenged by GOP’s Barone

Democratic incumbent Diane Deschenes is being challenged by Republican Penny Barone. The town clerk serves a two-year term and earns an annual salary of $49,499.

NEW SCOTLAND – Diane Deschenes has lived in New Scotland her entire life. For the past eight years, Deschenes has worked as the town clerk, and is running for re-election for the post on the Democratic Party line. Penny Barone is her Republican opponent.
The "basic everyday duties" of the position include issuing licenses for marriages, dogs, and hunting; issuing permits for the transfer station; paying bills; updating the website; collecting taxes; keeping track of Town Hall medical supplies; issuing certificates of residency for students; and transcribing the minutes for town board meetings, Deschenes said.
A few years ago, Deschenes suggested that the town clerk and the tax collector positions be merged. "I believe we saved about $10,000 a year between salaries and benefits," she said.

She graduated top in her class from the Spencer Business Institute, Deschenes said. After graduating, Deschenes worked as a travel agent, and later for Hartford Insurance. She has been working for the town since 1996. She spent several years in the building and assessing department before being elected town clerk, she said.
Of her accomplishments as town clerk, Deschenes is most proud of the records-management grants she has helped to secure. "We’ve applied for and received five, totaling over $90,000," she said.

One of the first grants received was for a records storage room, Deschenes said. A storage room was set up in the basement of Town Hall, she said. She keeps a list on the computer of everything stored in the room, she explained. The town also purchased an electronic document imaging system, she said.

Records can now be easily retrieved for the public or for town officials, she said.
"The records process has come a long way," said Deschenes.
The office is "very open to the public," she said. "We’ve never had too many requests for additional hours," she added. "We offer to come in if it’s requested. We are willing to make an exception and come in to help someone."
If re-elected, Deschenes hopes to continue to apply for any grants for which the town is eligible, she said. Her goal is to "continue doing the best job I can and to look for ways to save money for the public," she said.

She is currently working on a grant for electronic water meters.
"I think I’ve done a good job over the past seven years," Deschenes said, adding that she works with a great staff.
"We’ve accomplished a lot and we offer a good service to the public," she concluded.