It's official: Franklin names Pat Leasure new borough clerk

FRANKLIN—After five months, it's official: Pat Leasure no longer has to put "acting" in front of her title. She is now simply "borough clerk." Last week, the borough council unanimously approved a three-year contract for Leasure, retroactive to Feb. 1. She had served as acting clerk since last September. Leasure, a Byram resident, had previously served four years as assistant clerk to Rachel Heath, who announced her retirement last summer. In 2003, Leasure, who once owned a beauty salon in town, earned her Registered Municipal Clerk certification from the state. She continued to serve as assistant clerk under Cecilia Bogart for a month after Heath retired. When Bogart resigned, Leasure was appointed acting clerk and the borough hired Catherine Gleason as new assistant clerk. "I know all the residents because I know a lot of people who were my customers," Leasure said. "So Franklin really feels like my home town, even though I'm a Byram resident."