Alberton clerk takes Fort Frances job

Alberton council has been hit by another challenge with word the township’s municipal clerk, Faye Flatt, is being tapped for a job with the Town of Fort Frances.
Although the hiring has yet to be formally approved by Fort Frances council, Flatt, who has been Alberton’s clerk for the past five years, is expected to take over as the town’s municipal planner by the end of the month.
“We have a position that’s been offered and accepted but council has yet to formally receive it,” said Administration and Finance manager Darryl Allan.
She will be replacing Ted Berry, who is retiring.
Flatt’s decision to leave her position in Alberton came as somewhat of a surprise to councillors there.
“Yeah, it did,” said Alberton Reeve John Milling. “I’m happy for her, though.
“She’ll be involved in planning and it’s something she really likes and any time someone does that, it’s great,” he added. “We’ll miss her dearly.”
Alberton council will discuss how to fill the clerk’s position during its regular monthly meeting tonight.
“We’ll get by. We’ll advertise and I’m sure we’ll find somebody,” said Reeve Milling.
Flatt took on the position of Alberton clerk five years ago after working in land conveyance for 18-20 years, both as a lawyer’s assistant and independently.
She originally took the clerk’s job on an interim basis to fill a vacancy.
“This council’s been good to work with. When I walked in, there were two lawsuits on the go,” said Flatt. “I liked to joke that it’s a good thing I took 4-H and learned to do by doing.”
Flatt added she is looking forward to her new position because she can rely on her area of expertise rather than try to focus on learning every aspect of municipal administration as she was in Alberton.
“I was looking forward to it. I was on cloud nine when I heard,” she enthused.
Although she’s expected to begin work with Fort Frances before the end of the month, the town will allow her to spend some time in Alberton tying up loose ends.
“The town told me they want to restore and maintain a relationship between Alberton and the Town of Fort Frances. They’re receptive with me being able to come out for a couple hours and take care of things,” said Flatt.