NORTH SMITHFIELD – After more than three decades of service to the town of North Smithfield, Town Clerk Debra Todd had her final day of work at the annex on Friday, Sept. 6.
The longtime clerk first began working for the town of North Smithfield in 1986 and moved into the clerk position in 2001. She has held the role since, attending town meetings, running elections and handling administrative tasks such as records requests with an efficiency and friendliness well-known by those who worked with her.
Former Town Administrator Paulette Hamilton worked with Todd for eight years during her terms in office between 2008 and 2016.
“Deb has been the backbone of the town and always gave prideful and professional service to those who needed information,” said Hamilton.
To Todd, she added, “Warm wishes for the next leg of the journey… and thank you for your service.”
Councilor Paul Zwolenski noted that Todd has been an “outstanding dedicated public servant.”
“There’s so much one could say: Professional, prompt, personable,” said Zwolenski. “Anybody who walked into her department was promptly met and professionally helped. She’ll be greatly missed as a personal friend after all these years.”
Todd announced her retirement to town officials last month. and will be replaced by Lillian Silva Scott of Pawtucket. She is married and has three grown children and three grandchildren.
Silva Scott, a former employee of the town of Cumberland, was appointed to the position by Town Administrator Gary Ezovski, and confirmed unanimously by members of the Town Council in a vote on Monday, Aug. 19.
Silva Scott received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Johnson & Wales University and worked in Cumberland for seven years in building, planning and zoning departments. She left the job in 2012 and more recently, has worked in an urgent care center.
She attended her first meeting as clerk earlier this week and will fully assume Todd’s prior duties on Monday, Sept. 9.
