(L-R) Huntington’s new Assistant town Clerk Angelique Toroni, outgoing Town Clerk Kathleen Thomas, and new Interim Town Clerk Linda Hamlin. (Photo by Amy Porter)
HUNTINGTON – Town officials threw a surprise reception for outgoing Town Clerk Kathleen Thomas at Stanton Hall this week.
Thomas, who is relocating with her husband Jeff Thomas to Tennessee after 31 years in town, said she was excited about the move, but hated to leave.
“I’m going to hate leaving working here with these wonderful people. I love this town. I always considered it an honor and a privilege to serve this town,” she said.
Thomas served from 2010 to 2017 as the assistant town clerk, stepping into the role of interim town clerk in March, 2017 when Town Clerk Andrea McKittrick stepped down for personal reasons.
She went on to become town clerk after an unprecedented tie election for the remaining year term that May. Both Thomas and former town clerk Judith Guyette received 139 votes in the election. After a recount, Guyette conceded the race for personal reasons to Thomas. Thomas then won re-election to a full term in 2018.
Linda Hamlin, chair of the Huntington Planning Board, who has been serving as assistant town clerk, will become interim town clerk as of Oct. 1 through June 30, 2020, after a new town clerk is elected in May. Angelique Toroni, who has served as the administrative assistant for the town’s Fire and Police Departments will become assistant town clerk.
Thomas said her family’s decision to move to Tennessee was based in part on the weather.
“We want to retire in about 10 years. The weather is easier, and retirement is easier and less expensive,” she said. Also having served as Huntington’s election clerk, Thomas said she is hoping to get involved in election work when she gets there.
Their daughter, Bethany Thomas, was hired in August as Westfield’s newest firefighter/paramedic.
