PITTSFIELD – Charges of discontent within the town office and a spate of employee resignations did nothing to stem the tide of applications Pittsfield recently received for a vacant town clerk’s position.

Town Manager Kathryn Ruth told the Pittsfield council Tuesday night that 16 people applied for the position, which opened up when veteran clerk Yvonne Mailman resigned suddenly last month. Mailman cited a difficult work atmosphere as her reason for leaving, as did several other former employees.

Tuesday night, councilors hired Tanya Lary of Dexter, who will begin her duties as town clerk immediately. Lary has 12 years of office experience in the banking industry, as well as customer service experience.

While hiring one person, the council also had to accept the resignation of another. Christopher Downing resigned as recreation director and Ruth said a search for a replacement would begin immediately.

In other business, Ruth updated the council on a wide range of grants – nearly one each month – that she plans to apply for this year. Ruth has been successful over the last two years in obtaining $5 million in grants for Pittsfield.

Some of the grants being contemplated include one with the town’s historical society, several park projects, a boat landing grant, a grant to hire someone to manage the town’s 500 acres of woodlots, and a $150,000 grant to construct a building to house snow removal equipment at the town’s airport.

The council also recognized former Mayor Gary Jordan for his many hours of dedication as the volunteer creator and manager of the town’s Web site.