Board of Selectmen Seek New Town Historian

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The Town Historian is an annual appointment by the Board of Selectmen and will be subject to the Town’s Harassment Policy as well as the Conflict of Interest Law This vacancy is occasioned by the resignation of Curt Garfield, who has held this position since 1991. The Board of Selectmen deeply appreciates Curt’s long-term dedication to the Sudbury community. Interested candidates should complete the “Application for Appointment” form and email it to selectmen@sudbury.ma.us.

Someone with a keen interest in Sudbury’s past, a willingness to engage in time-consuming research and a knowledge encompassing genealogical information; significant historical events and more would be the ideal candidate for this position, described as follows:

• The designation “Town Historian” is an honorary appointment and will be restricted to a person who has the qualifications noted below.
• “Town Historian” is a volunteer, unpaid position.
• Sudbury’s E-mail Communication Policy shall apply to this position. (See paragraph below for the guidelines.)
• As Town Historian, the Conflict of Interest Law (MGL c.268A) pertains to the position. (See Summary of the Conflict of Interest Law.)
• The Town’s Harassment Policy shall apply to this position. (See policy.)

Purpose/Duties:

Provide authoritative information, as needed or required, based on accurate data and objective evaluation and interpretation, of Sudbury’s history to Town officials, boards, committees, and staff. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Background material for the commemoration of significant events, such as King Philip’s Attack, Sudbury in the Revolutionary War, anniversary celebrations, etc.
• Data concerning ancient roads, bounds, land allotments, and decisions which bear upon the resolution of contemporary legal questions.
• Genealogical information.
• Information on buildings and sites.
• Annual Town Report submission as requested by the Selectmen’s Office.

Qualifications:

The Town Historian shall have the following mandatory qualifications:

• Keen interest in Sudbury’s past.
• Knowledge of availability of original records and other source materials on Sudbury and how to obtain and use them.
• Willingness to engage in time-consuming research.
• Ability to evaluate, interpret and present results for official or public use.

PUBLIC RECORDS APPLICABILITY:

The Secretary of the Commonwealth advises that the Public Records Law clearly applies to government records generated or received electronically. All electronic mail sent, and all electronic mail received by principal addressees (not received as a “cc”) at a Town-issued address, or any address when in an official capacity, should be considered a public record subject to inspection and disclosure and scheduled retention and disposition. Town appointees, acting in their official capacity, should have no expectation of privacy in their use of electronic mail.

Appointments:

The term expiration for most Town board and committee appointments is May 31. Therefore, the one-year appointment of the Town Historian shall be made in-line with the yearly re-appointment schedule at a Board of Selectmen’s meeting following the conclusion of the Annual Town Meeting.

The Board of Selectmen shall be the appointing authority.

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