Chelsea Lane, Woolwich’s new town clerk, greets everyone who enters the town office with a bright smile and friendly hello. Selectmen recently announced the hiring of the Georgetown native.

Lane told the Wiscasset Newspaper she was still settling in. Her first day was Dec. 4. Along with being town clerk, she also serves as deputy tax collector and assists Town Administrator Katie Johnston with other day-to-day office tasks.

This is Lane’s first entry into town government. She’s confident her background in banking, finance and customer service will serve her well as she takes on the duties and responsibilities of a town clerk.

For the last six years, she worked in the commercial loan division of Bath Savings in Bath. Previously, she worked as a teller and later a customer service representative for Five County Credit Union, also in Bath where she makes her home.

“At Bath Savings, I did a great deal of internal support including verifying financials and creating loan documents,” she said.

After hearing Woolwich was in need of a town clerk, she applied. “I was looking to make a career move and this seemed like a good opportunity. I was pretty excited when the select board hired me.”

Lane enjoys meeting people and said she learns something new every day. Besides registering vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, ATVs and trailers, her duties include selling hunting and fishing licenses.

She also serves as the registrar of voters and is responsible for verifying petitions like the one currently circulating on the ranked choice voting issue. “I have to verify all the signers are voters registered here in Woolwich.”

The town clerk is also responsible for recording all of the community’s vital records including births, marriages and deaths.

“I’m in the process of becoming certified as a notary public and looking forward to the day when I’ll perform my first marriage,” she said.

Maine notaries, like those in Florida and South Carolina, can officiate at weddings. They have the added duties of swearing in public officials and witnessing the transaction of documents.

There are also dog licenses to sell. “You might remind dog owners they are responsible for renewing their dog licenses by Jan. 31, or face a $25 fine,” she added.

The weeks ahead will be busy ones for Lane. She’ll be participating in several Maine Municipal Association training sessions and a special town meeting set for Feb. 20. The annual town meeting is Saturday, April 28 and there’s the state primary election in June.

“People have been very welcoming and I’m looking forward to meeting many more of them in the coming months,” she added.

The town office is open Monday and Tuesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.