Bedford Town Clerk Q&A: Boo Fumagalli

Patch: Why are you running?

Fumagalli: I love my job and think I am good at it. I enjoy the work part and all the daily challenges. But most of all I love serving the residents of Bedford. I guess I am a hometown girl at heart and I am honored to work hard every day to provide services to my neighbors and friends.

Patch: How well do you feel the town's records management is being handled? What would you like to change, if anything?

Fumagalli: Currently we are all doing a great job. We have an annual records management day and I have created the Records Management Center in the basement. We have scanned all of our building files and currently are doing the Assessors office. As long as we have the support of the Town Board and the financial commitment needed, we will continue through each department. This not only preserves our Town’s history but also allows access to records in a more timely and efficient manner.

Patch: Would you like to see the town's online outreach presence expand, such use of Twitter or Facebook?

Fumagalli: Any additional communication sources to our residents is a positive. Currently the Police Department uses Twitter. My only concern is the people power it takes to maintain these sources. We are stretched very thin.

Patch: Some of Bedford's neighboring communities have appointed clerks instead of through elections. What are the merits of having an elected town clerk versus an appointed one?

Fumagalli: By being elected the Clerk reports to the people who elected them, not a political party or individual. The Clerk plays an important role in making sure that all rules and regulations are carried out properly by the Board. For instance, you can not take a vote if a meeting has not been properly noticed. The Board can not make decisions via email – they can not be absent 3 meetings in a row – having an independent Town Clerk is what is necessary to ensure that all laws are properly followed by all.

Patch: The town faces a tough fiscal future, according to a budget projection published in August that forecasts deficits for the coming years. If the town board needs to make cuts, are you concerned that this could impact the town clerk's office?

Fumagalli: In the last 5 years I have cut my budget more than 25%. Basically all that is left are things required by law - $ for Public Notices, codification of changes to the Town Code and of course basics like telephone, copier, paper and supplies. My ability to attend educational meetings and conferences was cut totally but because I am a member of the Executive Committee in charge of registration, the NYSTCA funds my expenses. Of course I am concerned but would look to departments with larger budgets to help to shoulder any further cuts – these will not be easy times.