BEVERLY — There won't be much of a learning curve for Beverly's new city clerk — she's had 15 years of practice.
The City Council appointed longtime assistant clerk Kathleen Connolly to fill the open city clerk position Tuesday night, by a unanimous vote.
The city clerk prepares City Council agendas and minutes, runs city elections, and manages the office that keeps all of the city's vital records.
Connolly, 58, replaces longtime clerk Frances Macdonald, who retired June 30.
Connolly has been acting city clerk since Macdonald's departure.
"Sometimes the best person for the job ... is someone already right there, and it's just time for them to step up. That's clearly the case here," said Mike Cahill, the council president.
The city posted the job opening in June and received four ré©sumé©s. Connolly was the only candidate interviewed.
"In the opinion of human resources and the interviewing committee, one of the four ré©sumé©s we received was far and away superior in terms of experience, background, education and knowledge of the position itself," said Councilor Wes Slate, referring to Connolly.
"She has been professional in every single manner. I don't think we could have had a better candidate for city clerk," Councilor Maureen Troubetaris said.
While the councilors heaped praise, Connolly stoically looked forward and then administered the roll call vote to make her appointment official. After the vote was final, she seemed happy but exasperated.
"I appreciate the kind words and the vote of confidence," she said after a standing ovation from the council.
Connolly, a Salem resident, has been Beverly's assistant city clerk for the last 15 years. Prior to that, she worked in Salem City Hall as a junior clerk and then a principal clerk and registrar of voters.
Connolly points to her extensive experience and humility as assets and the reason she is so highly esteemed by her peers.
"I've had 25 years of experience, so I kind of get the job; if I didn't get it by now, there would definitely be something wrong with me," she said with a laugh. "But there are a lot of things I don't know, and I'm not afraid to ask questions if I don't know something. I've already had to call the former city clerk (with a question), and she's more than willing to help out."
The City Council has not finalized what Connolly's salary will be. The former city clerk was paid $73,400 last year.
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