Town Clerk’s Office Celebrates Professional Municipal Clerks Week

Did you know the profession of municipal clerk is widely considered one of the oldest roles in local government? Each year, communities across the country recognize the essential work of municipal clerks during Professional Municipal Clerks Week (May 3–9, 2026). The Town of Windsor joins in celebrating the dedicated professionals who help keep local government transparent, organized, and accessible.

Essential services provided by the Clerk’s Office include managing a wide range of responsibilities that are fundamental to the Town’s operations. These include supporting the Town Council, overseeing local elections, administering required filings for elected and appointed officials, and codifying ordinances into the Town’s Municipal Code. The office also handles the posting and publication of legal notices, oversees Commission appointments, and administers Oaths of Office while safeguarding the official Town seal. Each of these duties contributes to the integrity and continuity of Windsor’s local government.

Meet the Staff

In Windsor, Town Clerk Irene Camacho-Werby and Deputy Town Clerk Sommer Hageman play vital roles at the intersection of public service and law. Together, they bring 29 years of combined service to the Town of Windsor. Camacho-Werby explains, “In addition to supporting Town Council meetings, the Town Clerk’s Office (TCO) oversees over a dozen other administrative tasks, from project organization, processing of all official records and legal documents, and providing both internal and external customer service on a daily basis.” Camacho-Werby and Hageman work diligently to ensure the Town’s twice-monthly Council meetings (as well as any special meetings or workshops) are conducted in compliance with open meeting laws such as the Brown Act. They also manage the Council Chambers audio-visual booth to ensure meetings run smoothly and are properly recorded and accessible to the public.

Records Management

As custodians of the Town’s records, they also oversee the Town-wide Records Management Program and provide public access to important documents, reinforcing transparency and accountability. With decades of documents and records stored in boxes, locating specific information for public records requests can be a time-consuming process. To improve efficiency and accessibility, Hageman is currently working to implement an Electronic Document Management System that will help the Town transition from paper files to digital recordkeeping.

Staying Ahead of Changing Laws

With every change to federal and state legislation, the Town Clerk’s Office works diligently to ensure the Town remains compliant and informed. Ongoing training and guidance are provided to staff, Council, and Commissioners to ensure meetings, procedures, and filings remain fully compliant with applicable laws and requirements. Professional development is key to remain current with evolving laws and best practices. While Camacho-Werby holds her Master Municipal Clerk designation and Hageman has attained her Certified Municipal Clerk designation, they both continually enhance their expertise through education programs, workshops, and participation in professional organizations.

Connecting the Community

While much of the Clerk’s Office work happens behind the scenes, Camacho-Werby and Hageman say their favorite part of the job is serving the community. Whether assisting residents, supporting public meetings, or encouraging civic participation, they value the daily interactions that help connect the community to local government and foster public trust and engagement. 

In addition to her role as Town Clerk, Camacho-Werby also serves as the Town’s Public Information Officer, helping ensure residents stay informed and connected to important Town updates. Hageman further supports public understanding by distributing the Town Council Meeting Recap, providing an accessible summary of key actions and discussions. The office has also implemented a Town-wide agenda management system, streamlining the preparation, distribution, and public access of Council meeting materials. Together, their work helps ensure information is not only transparent and accurate, but also easy for the community to access and engage with. Looking ahead, the Town Clerk’s Office is preparing for Windsor’s Municipal Election in November, helping ensure a clear and organized process for candidates and voters alike.

The Windsor Town Council officially proclaimed May 3–9, 2026, as Professional Municipal Clerks Week, recognizing the accomplishments of the Town Clerk’s Office. Their commitment, professionalism, and dedication play a critical role in supporting the Town’s operations and serving the Windsor community. Residents are encouraged to join in acknowledging the important contributions of the Town Clerk’s Office and the vital services they provide every day.

Public Works Week 2026: Rooted in Service, Powered by Community

From the streets we drive on to get to work, to the water systems we rely on every time we turn on our faucets, the Town of Windsor’s Public Works Department plays a vital role in nearly every aspect of our daily lives. The department manages transportation infrastructure and essential public utilities, including roads, traffic systems, water, sewer, recycled water services, and storm drainage. Behind it all is a team of operators, maintenance crews, engineers, administrative professionals, and managers working together to keep Windsor moving forward. In recognition of Public Works Week 2026 (May 17-23), we celebrate the dedicated professionals whose efforts—both visible and unseen—help make Windsor a safe, sustainable, and thriving place to live.

Working Smarter for the Community

One recent example of Public Works in action is the Wild Oak subdivision project. “There were two driving forces—the aging water lines and some of the worst pavement in town in the same location,” said Public Works Director Shannon Cotulla. “They were originally planned as separate projects years apart, but by doing both projects at the same time under one contract, we were able to save money and only tear up the neighborhood once.” As part of this coordinated effort, the project was also able to incorporate community feedback received along the way, resulting in broader neighborhood improvements.

Addressing Aging Infrastructure

Across Windsor, maintaining infrastructure continues to come with funding and capacity challenges. “Because much of Windsor was developed during the same period,” Cotulla explains, “road issues across town are arising at the same time. The needs are expanding, but the funds are limited.”

“Staff are doing everything they can to help preserve the roadways,” says Mike Cave, Deputy Director of Operations. While major repaving projects were not funded due to budget constraints, Cave highlights the department’s efforts to maximize available resources. “By crack sealing in advance of asphalt preservation projects, it increases the longevity of our roadways.” 

Despite these challenges, key projects are moving forward. This summer, Old Redwood Highway will see pavement preservation and pedestrian safety improvements funded through grants. Next year, the Highway 101 underpass project is scheduled to improve pedestrian access and safety. Cotulla says proudly of his staff, “The engineering team has been securing grants and going after every dollar of funds to supplement Windsor’s limited funding for transportation improvements that improve mobility for pedestrians, cars, and bikes in our community.”

Building a Sustainable Future

Windsor’s long-term approach to infrastructure and sustainability sets it apart. Through its NetZero Wastewater Program, the Town is modernizing treatment systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve efficiency. “There’s value in investing today in the economic and environmental sustainability of the community,” Cotulla says. “The community is making investments today in the system so the long-term costs will be brought down. The expectation is that, over the long haul, we’ll be among the lowest water and wastewater rates in the region, with reliable and resilient systems that are also among the most environmentally sustainable in the world.”

As we celebrate Public Works Week, we thank the Public Works Department for their continued dedication to serving Windsor. From the operators who service more than 140 miles of water distribution mains, to the crews who clear storm debris from roads in the middle of the night, to the maintenance workers operating behind the scenes to keep our sanitary sewer systems running smoothly, their efforts improve nearly every part of daily life in Windsor. Their work truly is rooted in service and powered by the community they support.