My name is Melanie Waddell, I am the Town Clerk in Rockport, MA.

I am currently in my third year as Town Clerk and will seek re-election in May of 2025.

I am a fourth-generation Rockport resident and grew up with a true appreciation for public service. My father, Jim Waddell, served as a Tax Assessor in Rockport for 24 years, and my grandmother, Nancy Waddell, served as Town Clerk from 1968-1973. I love serving my community. It is not only in my DNA; it is my passion.

The Town Clerk is a unique role in our town’s government. The Clerk is responsible for handling vital records such as births, deaths and marriages, preserving our rich Rockport history, and keeping up with the ever-changing landscape of the future by ensuring the safety and integrity of elections. 

I am grateful to have served the Town over the last three years. 2024 was the most challenging of them, having successfully navigated and run four elections, including the November Presidential Election where we orchestrated more in person early voting and vote by mail ballots than ever before.

Looking to the future, I have begun the process of codifying our By-laws with the intent to bring them online, fully digitized and searchable by 2026. Additionally, in an effort to protect and preserve our historical records I have requested funding through the Capital Improvement Planning Committee to install archival shelving into the records vault in conjunction with renovations happening in Town Hall this Spring. I have also submitted an application to the Community Preservation Committee, as part of a multi-year plan, for funding to further protect our most at risk volumes of historical records through preservation, restoration and digitization.

Thank you for voting for Melanie Waddell for Town Clerk in May 2025. I am honored to continue to serve the Town of Rockport by preserving the past and moving forward together into the future. 

Profession Accomplishments
CMC - Certified Municipal Clerk (from International Institute for Municipal Clerks)
Graduate of NEMCIA (New England Municipal Clerks Institute and Academy)

Education
Southern New Hampshire University
Bachelor of Arts, General Studies - Concentration in Political Science
summa cum laude

Fashion Institute of Technology
Associate of Arts and Sciences, Fashion Merchandising
cum laude

Rockport Public Schools K-12

Relevant Work Experience
Town of Rockport, Assistant Town Clerk
Gove and Feldman Insurance, Personal Lines Account Manager, Rockport, MA
The Urchin Exchange, Consignment Boutique, Owner, Gloucester, MA
Election Official 2014-2020

Professional Affiliations
Justice of the Peace, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Notary Public, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
North Shore City and Town Clerks Association
Massachusetts Town Clerks Association
New England Association of City and Town Clerks
International Institute of Municipal Clerks 

When not in Town Hall, I love walking my dog through Town, hiking the woods with my son, mountain biking, crafting, spinning, thrifting, networking, helping where I am needed and inspiring others. I could not be more grateful for where I live, for my family, for my mentors and for the chance I have been given to serve this community.

Respectfully yours,

Melanie