Westerbeke will leave longtime position March 8 to begin working as deputy clerk, administrative assistant

Town of Port Washington Clerk Susan Westerbeke is resigning her post effective Monday, March 8 — the day she begins her new job as the deputy city clerk for the City of Port Washington.

“Susan is going to be greatly missed. She’s done a phenomenal job as clerk,” Town Chairman Lee Schlenvogt said Tuesday. “The city is gaining a great asset in Susan.”

The Town Board is scheduled to meet at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, to discuss replacing Westerbeke, whose term doesn’t expire until next April.

“We’re going to look at all our options,” Schlenvogt said, including the potential to change the job from an elected position to an appointed post.

Westerbeke, who is completing her 11th year as town clerk, was hired as the city’s deputy clerk and administrative assistant to Administrator Mark Grams by the Common Council last week.

She is replacing Rose Rowe, who has been the city’s deputy clerk and administrative assistant for almost 27 years and is retiring on March 5.

Westerbeke will work with Rowe for a few hours a day beginning next week and full time the following week, Grams said.

She was selected from a field of about 250 applicants “from all walks of life,” Grams said. Most were from Wisconsin, he said, but others were from other states, including one from Colorado.

“I was surprised we got that many applicants,” he said. “I figured we’d get 100, 150 applications.”

Westerbeke, he said, was the most qualified applicant, with certifications as a municipal clerk and elections clerk.

“She’s basically the only one who could step in and take over,” Grams said. “She’s obviously got experience.”

Westerbeke said she has enjoyed working with the Town Board, but said the city position is a “unique opportunity” for full-time employment in her field.

“With my background, these types of positions are rarely available, so I applied,” she said, noting she had intended to seek a full-time job when her youngest child graduates from high school next year.

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