Alna selectmen had a surprise for departing town clerk Amy Warner March 9. They presented her with the annual town report, dedicated to her.

"Anyone who knows Amy knows that she's the glue that holds this town together," Third Selectman Doug Baston said. Warner hugged board members during the presentation, mid-meeting at the fire station.

It was Warner's last selectmen's meeting as clerk. However, the board and fellow residents expect to still see her around the town office, in her new role as treasurer. She is running unopposed on the March 18 ballot.

Warner's nearly eight-year service as clerk is one of the longest for a clerk in recent memory, selectmen state in the dedication. "To all of us, she is the face of Alna; usually the first person new residents meet when they move to town ... She is unfailingly cheerful and helpful to all who come through the door."

Warner is the selectmen's institutional memory, the dedication continues. "She counsels new boards on how prior boards responded as they did to similar issues, and why they did what they did. She also patiently reminds us of what we have decided ... She is our de facto 4th selectman," the board writes.

In her final town clerk's message, also part of the town report, Warner writes that her time serving the town has been inspiring. "The people I have served with have been dedicated to making the best decisions they can for the town." Alna is an incredible place with interesting people and history, she adds.

"Alna, please keep being Alna the best way you know how, it's what sets us apart from ... cookie cutter communities and makes this a great place to live," Warner writes.

Lisa Arsenault has been serving as a deputy clerk and will take over for Warner as clerk, officials said.