Charlene Takesian

by Lynne Ober

Energetic, innovative Charlene Takesian has a captivating smile that lights up her face.

Charlene and her first husband moved from Sommerville, Massachusetts to Pelham. "We wanted a good place to live and raise kids," she recalls and my husband was from Pelham.

When they divorced, Charlene stayed in Pelham. "I guess you could say my next life began after that divorce," she laughed.

Charlene, who has a background in accounting, ran for Town Treasurer in 1983 – 84. "It’s a three year term and I’ve served ever since." For years Town Hall was so small that she had to do much of her work out of her home. "When the new Municipal Offices opened, I finally got office space and could move everything into that office. It’s been wonderful."

When Fire Chief David Fisher introduced Charlene at the Fireman’s Ball, he praised her for her strong work ethic and dedication as Town Treasurer. "She’s one very helpful lady."

Charlene, as have many Town employees, has struggled with inadequate computer systems. "I’m looking forward to getting new software. I think it will make a big difference to the Town Treasurer."

Although Charlene’s term as Town Treasurer is once again over, she has signed up to continue. "I feel like I make a contribution and I like to be involved," she said.

Charlene also works part time installing accounting software. "I have to work out of town quite a bit for that job, but it is fun. I get to make a difference for people who need to use software." Charlene hopes to be a resource for the Town when they install a new accounting package. "I’ll be able to use what I’ve learned at work to help the Town where I live."

When Charlene and Hal Lynde married in 1988, they had a combined family. "I had kids of my own as did Hal and then we had Zach, who’s currently a senior at Pelham High School, together. It made for a happy, noisy place to live," she smiled. Today she and Hal also have seven grandchildren. "They are, of course, a delight," she noted.

For years Charlene and Hal have been involved in Pelham Old Home Day. "We used to chair that event," she said. Today they remain actively involved in the day-long celebration in Pelham. For the past few years Charlene has been involved with getting the raffle items that are raffled off every hour throughout the day. "It’s fun and I can’t take all the credit. Somehow the raffle items just seem to always come together."

When Judge Michael Jones approached Selectmen about establishing a Naming Committee, Charlene volunteered to participate on the committee.

She’s been an active member of the High School Council. "This year I haven’t made as many meetings as usual because they are meeting on Wednesday and I have to work on that day. If I’m out of town, I can’t get back for the meeting." Nevertheless she was manning the refreshments table for the Council when they sponsored the Reception for the new principal and assistant principal.

Charlene has also been very active on the Sherburne Hall Committee since it was started in 2001. That committee was created for the purpose of renovating the gymnasium/cafeteria in the Municipal Center into a meeting hall / auditorium for the community.

"We had an Envision Pelham Committee a number of years ago. Over 200 people met over a weekend to develop a vision of Pelham and what we’d like it to be. That included the need for a community center where we could hold meetings, have theater productions, etc.," she said. "Out of that group, we developed the Sherburne Hall Committee when we saw an opportunity to make the need a reality. It’s a lot of work."

Charlene put her accounting background to work in helping the committee develop a plan and cost estimates. They have a goal of raising $355,000 to renovate the hall without any use of taxpayers’ dollars. "Fund raising isn’t going as fast as we hoped, but we have had some success with our two Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournaments and we got a $5,000 donation from a local bank. I think we’ll get there and that Pelham will enjoy this. I just wish I could do more to move this along quickly."

With Charlene’s energy and enthusiasm, she will continue to make a positive difference in her community for years to come. Have you met Charlene Takesian?