Voices of Local Government: Britt Barton

Voices of Local Government is a continuing series in which we talk with community builders, shapers and innovators from across the country to learn more about their unique experiences and what it takes to be effective and successful in their roles within local government. This issue’s featured profile: Britt Barton, Town Clerk for the Town of Gray, Maine.

Can you tell us a little about the Town of Gray, Maine?

Gray is a great little town about 20 minutes north of Portland and 20 minutes south of Lewiston‑Auburn. Our tagline is actually “At the heart of it all,” which really fits — five major crossroads run right through the center of town, so everything kind of converges here.

We’re a mostly rural community with a lot of history. One of our favorite fun facts is that Gray is home to the very first water‑powered woolen mill in the country. It’s something we’re really proud of and a nice reminder of how long this community has been innovating and working together.

What was your path to becoming Town Clerk for Gray?

I actually started my career in corporate banking, where I spent about ten years and eventually transferred to a branch right here in Gray. After COVID, the banking world changed a lot, and I found myself feeling less connected to the community‑focused work that I really enjoyed. I’ve always been a very community‑driven person, so when I came across the job posting for Town Clerk, I remember thinking, “I think I’d really like this.”

Fast forward, I applied, got the job, and recently celebrated my third anniversary with the Town. It ended up being a really natural and rewarding shift, and I’m grateful I took that leap.

What are some of your everyday duties as Clerk?

I support the Town’s day‑to‑day administrative work, handle records, and licensing, and represent the Town on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Until fairly recently, I also managed tax collection, but that responsibility has since shifted to another colleague.

Elections are really my favorite part of the job. They’re one of the most direct ways residents use their voice, whether that’s deciding how tax dollars are spent or choosing who represents them. Every election is different, always meaningful, and full of problem‑solving, which keeps the work interesting and rewarding.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

One of the things I love most about this job is that, as a clerk, you’re part of just about every major milestone in someone’s life. You might issue their very first birth certificate, register their first car, or hand them their first hunting or fishing license. You help them register to vote and are there when they cast their very first ballot. Later on, you issue their marriage license, their child’s birth certificate, and, eventually, you may even be the one who records the certificate when they pass.

You’re holding the documents that mark some of the biggest and most important moments in people’s lives. Being trusted with that responsibility and knowing you get to be part of someone’s journey from beginning to end is truly a privilege.

What are some of challenges of being Town Clerk?

I would certainly say the most challenging thing is trying to update processes. Our local government is hundreds of years old, so things have always been done and logged in a very specific way that often tends to create a lot of paper and files. Our world will always need paper. My job will always need paper. But if I can whittle it down to two file cabinets, I’d be happy.

We’re putting a strong emphasis on becoming more digitally minded at Town Hall. The goal is to build processes that support the work we do, while balancing new tools with the expertise and experience of long‑tenured staff. It’s a thoughtful process, but one that’s moving us in the right direction.

Speaking of digital solutions, Gray is now in the process of adding General Code’s eCode360^® and MapLink™ platforms. How did that come about?

One afternoon, [Our General Code Rep] stopped by Town Hall looking for someone, and when that person wasn’t available, he ended up chatting with me instead. We got talking, and the conversation naturally shifted to eCode360. I was immediately interested — reviewing ordinances and state statutes is a big part of my day, and it was obvious this would make that work a lot easier.

I brought it to my manager and said, “I just learned about this, do you think it’s something we should look into?” His response was pretty simple: if it makes your job easier and improves the work, go for it. That’s really how our eCode got started. Later on, our rep showed us MapLink, and it felt like a perfect addition. We’re now getting both platforms up and running and are really looking forward to rolling them out for the Town.

What benefits do you anticipate these digital solutions will bring to your staff and the community?

This will definitely help cut down on the number of questions we get at Town Hall about ordinances, zoning, and general code interpretation. More importantly, it gives residents the ability to find information on their own, whenever it’s convenient for them. Things are always changing, whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner, so having easy access to accurate, up‑to‑date information helps people better understand those changes and how they may affect them. Giving the community the right tools to navigate that is a real benefit.

How important is it for you to have an updated municipal code?

It’s been a little while since we’ve been able to really dig into updating the code, but it’s always stayed high on our priority list. Capacity was the biggest hurdle for a while, but now we’re in a much better position to take it on. This work is really important, and I’m genuinely excited about where we’re headed. When I let the Council know that our new eCode was coming, they were excited too, not just for staff, but for what it means for the community and how much easier it will make accessing information.

How do you stay current with your skills, education, and latest legislation?

I’m pretty involved professionally. I serve on the Board of our local Chamber of Commerce, Chair the Government Affairs Committee, and I’m also on the Board for the Maine chapter of Women Leading Government, where I sit on the Personnel Development Committee. Staying current and continuing to learn is really important to me. I attend several conferences each year and regularly attend trainings through the Maine Municipal Association, their affiliates, and our regional partners at the Greater Portland Council of Governments. Between short webinars and full‑day sessions, I’m usually taking part in some kind of professional development every week to keep up with trends and best practices.

Do you trade ideas and collaborate with other local clerks?

We have a really strong professional network and stay connected through a shared Listserv where clerks are constantly swapping questions, ideas, and best practices. It’s a pretty close‑knit and supportive group. While I haven’t formally mentored other clerks, I do have an assistant clerk who’s asked me to take her under my wing as we head into the next election cycle. She’s excited to build her confidence and skills around elections, and I’m really looking forward to working closely with her — it should be fun.

I’ve also taken on a summer intern each year, usually college students who want hands‑on experience in municipal government. The Clerk’s Office is a great place for that because we work with every department and touch so many different parts of local government. It’s rewarding to help students learn and see how a town really operates behind the scenes.

What accomplishments are you most proud of as Town Clerk?

I’m really proud of the stability, trust, and forward momentum we’ve built in the Clerk’s Office, all while continuing to meet the statutory responsibilities of the role. Even through times of change and heavier workloads, we’ve stayed accurate, compliant, and consistent in how we serve the public, whether that’s elections, records, licensing, or governance support.

One of the things I’m especially proud of is the work we’ve done around elections. Over the last several cycles, voter participation has grown a lot, and my focus has been making sure we’re ready for that, through good planning, secure processes, and well‑trained staff. Seeing people show up, engage, and use their voice in the community, and knowing we’re prepared to support that, is incredibly rewarding.

What advice would you give to a new clerk, or someone who is interested in becoming a clerk?

Enjoy the ride, because no two days are ever the same. You will make mistakes, and that’s okay. As long as you’re willing to learn from them, don’t beat yourself up. Never be afraid to ask what feels like a silly question; things are constantly changing, and no one expects you to be an expert in everything.

Clerks often put pressure on themselves to be perfect or to have all the answers. The real goal isn’t to know everything; it’s being committed to finding the right answer. Curiosity, humility, and persistence will take you much further than perfection ever will.

What is on your bucket list?

Definitely no marathons, I’m not that ambitious! Travel is at the top of my bucket list. There are several places I’d love to visit, but at the very top is the area in Germany where my grandfather grew up. I’m hopeful that someday soon I’ll get the chance to make it and finally cross it off my list.