LISBON — Town Clerk Twila Lycette was recognized by the Town Council on Tuesday night for receiving the prestigious 2011 Clerk of the Year award at the recent Maine Town and City Clerks Association annual meeting in Waterville.

“The town is extremely proud,” Councilor Gina Mason said.

Mason was present at the ceremony Sept. 14 to accept a plaque on behalf of the town.

Lycette and her husband, David, moved to Lisbon in 1984 and she was named town clerk in 1986. They are the parents of Allie, 14, and Derek, 17.

“The room was filled with clerks from all over the state” when the award was announced at the association meeting, Lycette said. “I was totally surprised. It was absolutely awesome to see so many Lisbon department heads, including Town Manager Steve Eldridge, his administrative assistant, my assistant town clerk, along with Councilor Mason and (state) Sen. Garrett Mason. I just want to say thank you so much. It was such a wonderful surprise.”

In the 25 years since becoming clerk, Lycette has seen the town go from a five-member Board of Selectmen/town meeting form of government with offices in cramped quarters on Main Street to a seven-member Town Council in a new state-of-the-art office complex.

Her nomination by the town states, “Twila’s commitment to her profession is admirable. She is an avid learner and stays current in all aspects of her job and does not hesitate to utilize her knowledge in her office. She has been a lifelong learner and professional and has been instrumental in record preservation programs, archival grant writing workshops, election management and many other areas within her expertise.

“She has achieved award designation as a Certified Maine Clerk, International Certified Clerk, Lifetime Certified Clerk and International Master Municipal Clerk in 2009.”

She is one of two clerks in Maine who hold the International Municipal Clerk title.