FREEPORT — Christine Wolfe is scheduled to start Monday, June 29, as town clerk.

Wolfe, whose hiring was approved by the Town Council on June 16, replaces Tracey Stevens, who left the job last month.

Wolfe, a resident of Dresden, has been the town clerk in Wiscasset for six years and held the position in Dresden for three years prior to that.

She said she wants to work in Freeport because of the structure of the town’s government.

“I realized as I was putting in my years of service I wanted to work for a town council-manager form of government,” she said.

Although Wolfe said it will be a learning experience, she’s looking forward to the efficiency of Freeport’s government, compared to that of towns governed by boards of selectmen.

“It’ll be nice to shake up my day-to-day duties,” she said.

There were 16 applicants for the job and six who were interviewed. Town Manager Peter Joseph said Wolfe stood out.

“One thing that impressed us the most is essentially she’s doing everything (in Wiscasset),” Joseph said. “She’s doing a lot more than she’ll do here.”

Joseph said Wolfe has a “really broad range of experience” that will be useful in Freeport. He said she has many skills beyond that of a town clerk.

“She definitely showed she could do all the tasks we have here, but could also handle more,” Joseph said.

Joseph said this will be helpful as Freeport looks to make some changes in how Town Hall operates. He said the town intends to cross-train employees, so they’ll be able to fill in for each other, and Wolfe already knows how to do things in other departments.

“We think all her background will be helpful to both the finance department and clerk’s department,” he said.

Joseph said Freeport also wants to start handling vehicle registrations at Town Hall, and Wolfe already has experience doing this and will be able to assist other employees in the process.

Joseph said while there are many important technical skills a town clerk must have, they must also be good at customer service. He said he believes Wolfe is very good at this.

“She has a friendly demeanor,” Joseph said. “She seems to enjoy working with people.”

Wolfe said her customer skills are some her best qualities.

“I think that people like that I provide the best customer service I can,” she said. “I work for the people, for the residents.

“I always go the extra mile with customer service,” she said. “I like knowing people by their first names and knowing them on a personal level.”

Stevens moved to Florida to be with family. She had been Freeport’s town clerk for about three years and in September 2014 was named Maine Town Clerk of the Year.

Wolfe said Stevens left an impression on her, even though they never worked together.

“She left some pretty big shoes to fill,” Wolfe said. “I’ve always looked up to her and all she’s done for the (Maine Town and City Clerks Association).”

Joseph said Stevens was a very organized and was a hard worker.

“She was a very detail-oriented employee, very conscientious,” he said.

Joseph said Stevens is missed, but he’s looking forward to having Wolfe on board. Wolfe said she’s excited, too, and hopes to stay at the job until she retires in 20 years.

“I don’t want to change jobs again,” she said. “I hope to have found a home here in Freeport.”

Kate Gardner can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 125 or kgardner@theforecaster.net. Follow her on Twitter: @katevgardner.