The City Clerk office at Westfield City Hall. (WNG File Photo)
WESTFIELD – The City Clerk’s office is as busy as it has ever been, and the staff is working harder than ever because all of the processes that have changed due to the COVID-19 closures.
City Clerk Karen M. Fanion said people are able to request birth, death and marriage licenses by mail with their payments enclosed, by dropping them off in the drop box located in the City Hall parking lot, or by going online to www.cityofwestfield.org under the City Clerk department, and using the bill pay portal.
Fanion said this is usually a busy time of year for weddings. Most of the couples seeking licenses have had their weddings planned for some time, and are going forward with the legal ceremony while postponing their receptions.
She said once the paperwork is filled out for a marriage license, couples need to call and make an appointment with her to meet in the parking lot, to sign the license in front of her and take the oath. “Then we’re good to go. It’s working out quite well,” she said.
The office is also getting ready for the Special State Senate election on May 19 and is encouraging residents to participate in early voting, which has been allowed by special legislation. Voters must submit a written request for an early voting ballot, available at www.cityofwestfield.org, or any form of written communication asking for an early voting ballot.
Fanion said they are also taking nominations for the November election for state representatives and senators, along with the presidential election, all of which are taking up a lot of time.
She said the office staff is communicating with each other a lot, as well as participating in conference calls with other city departments..
Fanion said while she is working at home for part of the week, she is putting in more hours than ever, answering emails from the minute she clocks in at 8 a.m., until she turns off her computer at night. “We are not unique,” she said, adding, “It’s getting done.”
