Branford Seeks First Appointed Town Clerk After Lisa Arpin's 12-Year Tenure

Branford Opens Search for New Town Clerk

Branford is searching for its first appointed town clerk after longtime clerk Lisa Arpin concluded 12 years of service on January 5, 2026. The town posted the job opening on February 26, offering a salary between $81,000 and $90,917 based on experience, according to Patch.

Arpin served six consecutive elected terms in the role before the Branford Representative Town Meeting voted in September 2024 to convert the position from elected to appointed, according to Zip06. The change was intended to "provide stability and accountability within the administrative functions" of the office. Under the new structure, the Board of Selectmen will appoint the clerk to four-year terms by unanimous vote.

Two Assistant Clerks Managing Branford Office

Two of the town's assistant town clerks are handling the office's duties on an interim basis during the search, First Selectman Joshua Brooks confirmed, according to Zip06.

The Town Clerk's office manages a wide range of municipal functions, including recording and filing all land records, maintaining vital statistics such as birth and death certificates, collecting municipal fees and state conveyance taxes on property transfers, supporting elections, and issuing licenses. The office serves as the registrar of vital statistics under both state statute and the town charter.

The town is seeking candidates with municipal clerk experience, strong customer service skills, and a commitment to public service, according to the Patch listing. Applications are being accepted through the town's ADP Workforce Now employment portal.

Arpin's 12-Year Tenure in Branford

Arpin first won the town clerk seat in 2013 and ran unopposed in her final two election cycles before the position was restructured, according to Zip06. She faced multiple electoral challenges during her earlier terms.

Her departure marks the end of an era for the office, as the incoming clerk will be the first in Branford's history to be appointed rather than elected by voters. The conversion was part of a broader push to professionalize the role, which requires meticulous attention to Connecticut General Statutes and town regulations, according to the town's municipal code.

The September 2024 RTM vote followed a governance review that examined whether key municipal positions would benefit from professional hiring standards rather than the electoral process. The change required amending the town charter, a process that involved public hearings and a vote by the full Representative Town Meeting. Under the amended charter, the Board of Selectmen appoints the clerk by unanimous vote to four-year terms, replacing the two-year elected cycle.

Connecticut law grants town clerks significant statutory authority over vital records and land records management. State statute requires that all property transfers, liens, and encumbrances be recorded with the town clerk's office, making the position essential to real estate transactions and legal proceedings throughout Branford.

What Applicants Should Know

The position reports to the First Selectman or their designee and carries statutory responsibilities that include securing all land records, filing legal notices, and managing document preservation. The clerk also collects all municipal fees and state conveyance taxes associated with property transfers.

The salary range of $81,000 to $90,917 reflects the professional qualifications the town is seeking. No application deadline has been publicly announced. Interested candidates can find the full listing and apply through the town's ADP Workforce Now employment portal. The town is seeking candidates with municipal clerk experience, strong organizational skills, and familiarity with Connecticut General Statutes governing vital records and land recording.

Residents who need Town Clerk services can continue to visit the office at Branford Town Hall, where the assistant clerks are maintaining operations during the transition.

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