Meet Oakland's New Deputy Borough Clerk: Wendi Francis-Seelin

Oakland’s newest public servant is an amiable Ramsey native and municipal worker who was hired in May as the deputy borough clerk.

She also functions as secretary for Oakland’s Communication Commission.

“I have always liked knowing what is going on in my town, about town government and schools,” said Wendi Francis-Seelin. “I like the people who come into the municipal building to pay their bills and helping them to get information.”

Francis-Seelin is married and has two grown children--a son who runs his own business and a daughter who recently graduated from Ramapo College summa cum laude.  Her husband works as director of quality in a large company.

“I applied for the position here in Oakland after attending Rutgers University’s courses in municipal clerking, the first step on the way to getting my certification as municipal clerk,” she said. “Next year, in 2023, I will complete my probationary period here in Oakland and my course work at Rutgers. Then I will study for my licensing exam.”

Before coming to Oakland, Francis-Seelin held several positions both as a volunteer and as an employee of the municipality of Ramsey.  She also served as secretary of the Hillsdale Board of Health.

“I am learning by doing the actual work involved in running the borough of Oakland.  It’s a pleasure to come to work here every day,” she said. 

In addition to working with Michael Carelli, who held Francis-Seelin’s current job before he moved on to being borough clerk, she also helps the Oakland Communication Commission with such things as covering council meetings, Recreation Commission events, Oakland’s monthly digital newsletter, the events and bulletins seen on Oakland’s electronic screen in the center of town, and the annual carnival and school events.

Francis-Seelin said, “I truly enjoy coming to this job every day. I give 100% of my attention to my work, so I am learning quickly.

“The people who work at the municipal building, like Michael Carelli, are generous and knowledgeable,” she said. “I have learned so much from them. Judging by the many commissions here in Oakland, I can say there is so much volunteerism by Oakland people and so many commissions that benefit the town.”

When interacting with Francis-Seelin, it becomes clear that this is an employee who is excited and eager to be part of serving Oakland.

“My husband said, ‘Just get a part-time job, Wendi. You’ve worked all your life.’ But I have to work, and a full job suits me. It’s who I am.”