After nearly 17 years of service, Town Clerk Thomas Florence resigns

Oct. 2, 2019 | Sarah Heinonen
sarah@thereminder.com

EAST LONGMEADOW – Sixteen and a half years is a long time to stay in any one job these days, but for Thomas Florence, working for the town of East Longmeadow has been a labor of love.

Florence has been the town clerk since 2003 and also serves as the clerk of the council and clerk of elections since the change in the town charter.

“It’s something that I really enjoy,” Florence said of being in public service.

Florence had worked at a bigger private company before he joined the town and said he saw an opening. While he had had experience with manufacturing accounting, he said he wanted to try municipal accounting.

“Once I learn the job, you learn to be really efficient with your time,” Florence said of balancing the different roles of his position. He has a special affinity for being the clerk of elections.

“I really take such great pride in making sure everything was done to a tee because this is our democratic process,” Florence said. By his count, he has presided over 60 elections, 30 town meetings, and 80 council meetings. Florence has also been the president of the Massachusetts Treasurers Association.

Florence said he is most proud of serving the public accurately and in a timely manner.

“I hope I served the public well. The taxpayers come first,” he said.

The skills that Florence learned while working in the town government, including networking and knowledge of the financial products that are used by towns, will serve him well in his next job. Florence has taken a position at Easthampton Savings Bank as the Vice President of Government Banking.

“[Easthampton Savings Bank] approached me,” Florence said. He described it as “an opportunity to go on to the next chapter.”

The town of East Longmeadow is an Easthampton Savings Bank customer. To avoid a conflict of interest, Florence said there is a “cooling-off period” during which he will have no direct contact with the town's accounts, though he may in a few years.

Florence described changing paths in his career as “bittersweet.”

“Throughout the years, I've benefited from the collaborativeness. I was fortunate to be allowed to be a justice of the peace and help people out in that way, and just serve the people from the town I grew up in,” Florence said. He said that the department heads we’re like family.

He added, “I was fortunate to have great support from our Board of Selectmen, Town Council members and our state representatives over the years.”

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