New Parma town clerk settles into job

Donna Curry, a 17-year resident of Parma, is the new Parma Town Clerk. She worked at the Rochester Eye and Tissue Bank in Rochester for about seven years and also worked at the Catholic Diocese of Rochester office. She was appointed to serve until the November election, replacing now-retired Carol Kluth, and will need to run for election to retain her position. When asked if she would be trying anything innovative, she replied: "I am going to have hours, by appointment only, on Thursday evenings to accommodate people who work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m." To set up an appointment call her at 585-392-9461.

New Parma town clerk settles into job

Donna Curry is close to two months into her job as the Town of Parma clerk and she says every day is different. "I was fortunate to have been trained in some manner for all the various functions of the town clerk's office. I am grateful for the time I had to learn from Carol Kluth, my predecessor," she said.

Kluth retired for personal reasons earlier this year.

One of the main things Curry said she has learned is that no matter how much information she was provided, because each day is different, not everything fits neatly into one policy or procedure. "My training provided a strong foundation for the running of an efficient, service-oriented office," she said.

She said she was in the right place at the right time and was honored to have been asked to take over the role of town clerk. "As deputy town clerk, you assume the role of the town clerk in her absence," she said. She'd been working for the town since the beginning of December and was appointed deputy clerk in January.

At the June 2 town board meeting she was appointed town clerk, a position she will hold until the election in November. "At that time I will be running for the remaining three years of the four-year term," she said.

Supervisor Rick Lemcke said that while Curry has "big shoes to fill," he thinks she is up to the challenge. "We are glad to have her on board," he said.

Prior to taking on the town clerk role, Curry had worked in the not-for-profit sector and said she "always found a sense of satisfaction in being able to assist people." She had also served for five years with the Town of Sweden as the deputy town clerk and receiver of taxes.

Curry said her role as clerk and tax receiver allow her to use her experience in accounting as well as office management, communication and people skills.

One of the immediate challenges facing the town, Curry said, is the implementation of new tax collection software for the September school tax collection. "We've attended training sessions and even though there might be a few glitches, the combination of new features and ease of use of the new system, combined with the procedures that have been in practice, will facilitate a smooth transition," she said.

Curry said she looks forward to the contact with the residents. "I enjoy the interaction with the customers," she said.

After hour appointments have been made available for those residents who can't get to the town hall during regular hours. "To better serve this group of residents, I am available Thursdays for longer hours by appointment," she said. "If residents make an appointment I will be there. If not, the office will operate on regular hours."

With any change there are opportunities, Curry said. "If anyone has suggestions for ways my office can serve you better, I would like to hear from you," she said. "Please call me at 392-9461 or e-mail at townclerk@parmany.org or just stop into the office."

Curry has been a resident of Parma for the past 17 years where she lives with her husband, Patrick, and their daughter, Sara.