Jamie Mitchell is Kennebunkport’s new town clerk. Tammy Wells photo
KENNEBUNKPORT – The community has a new town clerk and registrar of voters.
Jamie Mitchell was appointed to the position by the Kennebunkport Board of Selectmen and began her new job late last month.
Raised in Kennebunkport until a move to Old Orchard Beach in her teens, Mitchell, 42, a paralegal for 20 years, lived in other locations until she returned to her hometown with her daughter Hailee in 2012. She said many of her family members live in town. Hailee, a fifth grader, attends Consolidated School.
Mitchell said the position sounded intriguing.
“I’ve always been interested in the public sector, and elections. It just fascinates me,” said Mitchell, who studied political science. “When I looked at the job description, it seemed like a natural progression.”
As town clerk, Mitchell is “the keeper of public records past and present,” according to Kennebunkport’s website. The town clerk coordinates administration of elections for the town; issues hunting, fishing and dog licenses; records and maintains vital statistic records like births deaths and marriage certificates; issues marriage licenses; maintains a record of board and committee meetings and the town’s ordinances; administers business licenses and preserves official town records.
Since her move back home, Mitchell said she has fully immersed herself in the community. She’s a member of the Kennebunkport Heritage Housing Trust and started a cheer group for youngsters simply because when Hailee was 3, she expressed interest, but there wasn’t a program for her age group. Mitchell established the nonprofit Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel Youth Cheer Association, which provides cheering instruction for kids from the very young through eighth grade. Last season, there were 27 children involved.
Mitchell is currently undergoing training to become a certified town clerk, and already has several sessions under her belt.
She said it helps that Tracey O’Roak, the former town clerk, who is now the assistant to Town Manager Laurie Smith, is nearby if she has questions, and the town clerk’s office also has an assistant town clerk, and a deputy. A second deputy assists during the busy election season.
O’Roak was hired as town clerk in 2016, after working as a treasury specialist for the city of South Portland. O’Roak said she “jumped at the chance” to work more closely with Smith when her longtime assistant retired in December.
“I admire Laurie’s leadership style and look forward to taking on new challenges in this position,” said O’Roak. “One of the reasons that I made the move was because I love working on special projects and this position will give me that opportunity.”
Mitchell is happy to be working in her hometown and for her hometown.
“I hope I can do the position as much justice as Tracey has done and April (Dufoe) before her,” Mitchell told selectmen at a recent meeting.
“We are fortunate to have you,” said board chair Allen Daggett.
Mitchell said Kennebunkport is the home of her ancestors, and many aunts, uncles and cousins live here.
“I am honored to serve in this role,” she said. “And I feel like maybe my family is proud, too.”
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