An early version of this story mistakenly said the vote was 4–1. The error has been corrected.

The next time you need to stop by Town Hall for a copy of a birth certificate or a marriage license, expect to find a new face heading up the town clerk’s office. Dartmouth resident Sarah Arruda has accepted the position of interim town clerk after the Select Board voted 3-2 on Aug. 14 to offer her the job.

Arruda will be hitting the ground running, as part of the town clerk’s duties include supervising elections — and early voting for the upcoming Sept. 1 primary starts Aug. 22.

She was one of two finalists for the position that the Select Board interviewed at a special meeting Friday afternoon, and will replace longtime clerk Lynn Medeiros, who retired at the end of July.

Arruda, a lifelong resident of Dartmouth, currently works for the state’s Department of Children and Families. She said that her experience in social services would translate well to the clerk position, noting the importance of organization and meeting deadlines.

“That’s kind of what we do at the department,” she said.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Roanoke College in Virginia.

Vice Chair Shawn McDonald’s main concern was whether or not Arruda would be prepared with having to immediately deal with thousands of mail-in ballots and setting up the Sept. 1 primary, saying that he was  “a little uncomfortable with how this primary is going to go.” 

In the leadup to the elections, Town Administrator Shawn MacInnes said at an Aug. 10 Select Board meeting that Town Hall staff have been coming in late at night and early in the morning to help process mail-in ballots.

An election consultant was also hired to help out.

Arruda told the board that, if hired, she would “hit the ground running,” meeting with department heads and staff members before to ensure things would be ready for the primaries.

“I am invested in this community,” she said. “I want nothing more than success for Dartmouth.”

Also interviewed was Cape Cod resident Kelsi Power-Spirlet, who said she was moving to Dartmouth in the next couple of weeks regardless of whether she got the job.

She also highlighted her background working at hotels in Boston and New York, saying that the hospitality industry involves a lot of quick thinking and organization, much like the town clerk’s office. 

“Well there’s certainly something to say for handling all those New Yorkers day after day,” Select Board Member David Tatelbaum joked.

Both expressed interest in remaining as town clerk, whether it became an appointed position — a change that the Select Board voted to recommend at the Fall Town Meeting — or if they had to run for election in April.

While board members said they felt both candidates would be great for the job, the board ultimately decided Arruda would be the best choice for the position, noting the urgent need to get a clerk ready for the September primary as soon as possible.

“[These were] two outstanding human beings,” Tatelbaum said. “But we’re so hungered for immediate help.”