BETHEL — August 12 will be Christen Mason’s last day as Bethel Town Clerk. She worked 29 and a half years for Bethel but now is moving to central Florida. “I don’t like snow and cold” she said. Darren Goyette will replace Mason when he is sworn in on August 1. Julie Jakes started as Deputy Town Clerk (replacing Goyette) on Tuesday, July 26.

Goyette has lived in Bethel for 12 years, working at the Town Office since April 2021. Before working here, he was commuting to Inland Technologies in Portland. He said he is looking forward to serving the town, being involved with the elections, and connecting with residents.

For her part, Mason said she will miss meeting and interacting with all the residents of Bethel. She’ll miss morning meeting with her co-workers. “I have worked over the years with a lot of really great people. Elections are a lot of work”, she said, “but I always enjoyed the process.”

Finally, she noted, “The day I became a lifetime Certified Clerk of Maine – October 9, 2003 (at the time I received a certificate, but this past January I received a plaque in the mail). That was a very nice surprise.”

There will be a reception for Christen Mason at the Bethel Town Office from 2-4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5.