Clinton Select Board Boosts Fireworks Funding, Approves Year-End Transfers

Select Board · Meeting of July 8, 2026

Clinton's new town administrator outlines staffing gaps on day three as board boosts fireworks funding. Karen Clark, who joined the town July 6 after serving as administrator in Millbury, told the Select Board Tuesday that animal control, HR coordinator, assistant town clerk, and administrative assistant positions are all open simultaneously, with animal control the most pressing after ACO Paul Wood retired at the end of June without a formal succession plan. Clark identified Phyllis Tower, who works in Berlin, Bolton, and other nearby communities, as a likely interim contractor.

The board voted unanimously to send $6,000 to the Clinton Firefighters for the July 12 fireworks display, restoring a prior funding level after several years at $5,000, with member Bill Bailey arguing the town had ended the year with a civic fund surplus and that "nothing gets cheaper over the years." The board also approved a $130,217 reserve fund transfer for an employee settlement — with a formal caveat that the amount may be insufficient — cleared a police law enforcement fund transfer, approved the Fourth Annual Cruising Clinton Night for July 17 in Central Park, and re-voted to extend a no-parking zone on School Street all the way to Main Street after a prior vote on the same restriction was never implemented.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,251 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of July 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.