FREEPORT – Tracey Stevens occasionally works on her day off, just to make sure things get done or someone gets served.

Last Friday – which is a day off for Freeport municipal officials – was a case in point. A member of the military was in Freeport on short leave, and needed to obtain a marriage license. As Freeport’s town clerk, Stevens needed to arrange that. And it’s not like Stevens just came from across town. She lives in Fairfield, more than an hour away.

With that kind of a helping attitude and professionalism in mind, the Maine Town & City Clerks Association named Stevens its 2014 Clerk of the Year on Tuesday, Sept. 9. Stevens, vice president of the association and a member of its board of directors, is proud of the award, and proud of what she does.

“It’s not just a job to me,” she said from her office last Thursday. “It’s a career that I take pride in.”

Family and colleagues were on hand as Stevens accepted the award in Augusta.

To further illustrate the importance Stevens places on her job, she remembers the date (April 30, 2012) she became town clerk in Freeport, as well as the date (Aug. 4, 2004) she became clerk in Fairfield. She has her home on the market, but for now, she makes the long haul back and forth.

Stevens, who grew up in Sidney and graduated from Messalonskee High School in 1989, received a two-year business degree from Thomas College, then worked for a few years as an accountant. The job didn’t suit her personality.

“That became too boring for me,” she said. “I decided to get into public services. I like the diversity of duties as a clerk.”

Among other duties, Stevens supervises elections, maintains vital records and does licensing. Mary Howe, the deputy town clerk, does much of the counter work with the public, but Stevens said she spends close to half her time dealing with the public, as well.

She loves Freeport.

“It’s a different atmosphere here,” she said.

Stevens’ services are valued elsewhere, as well, and not just with the Town & City Clerks Association. The city of Belfast has hired her to come in on Fridays and train city officials on the hiring of a city clerk.

On the clerks association, Stevens works on legislative policy, advocating for bills that affect municipal clerks. She works on scholarship programs for clerks and online training.

Town Manager Peter Joseph was on hand to see Stevens receive the award, which came as a surprise to her. Joseph has no problem explaining the decision.

“It’s pretty simple, really,” he said. “She’s very organized and focused on details, like ordinances and codes and the charter, which is very important for a clerk. On the customer service side, she is very attentive to detail, and polite to people.”

Joseph also sees Stevens in the Town Hall when she’s not being paid to be there.

“She comes here Fridays and Saturdays sometimes during elections or caucuses,” he said. “She doesn’t broadcast that at all, but I catch her doing that from time to time.”

Tracey Stevens proudly holds the Clerk of the Year Award, presented to her on Sept. 9 by the Maine Town & City Clerks Association.  

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