'Thank You ... For Allowing Me This Honor'

During recent Exeter elections – including and on a Swasey Parkway bridge repair plan, Town Clerk Linda Hartson would promise to have the results ready fast – usually about a half-hour after the polls closed.

In both those cases, she and her team of election workers got the results out even quicker than that.

It was a testament to Hartson's efficient leadership, according to colleagues who commended her for 24 years of service to the town as clerk.

Hartson last night she will leave her job. She will stay on through April to help out with the March municipal election.

Town Manager Russ Dean called her a respected employee.

"I appreciate all the years she's contributed to the town," Dean said.

Added Selectmen Chairman Bobby Aldrich, "I have an extreme amount of gratitude for all you've done."

Hartson said she looks forward to spending more time with her family.

"This decision has been difficult for me," she wrote in her resignation letter. "I will always have great memories of the people I have met and worked with.

"I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to represent the citizens of Exeter at state functions, legislative hearings, regional and state conferences, political events, and many other ... functions."

Hartson's position is an elected job, so her replacement will be determined by who wins the March election.

Former assistant Andrea Kohler has been appointed acting Town Clerk until that time. The filing period to run for town clerk .

Hartson's resignation letter can be found to the right under "PHOTOS."