Riverhead Town has hired a Spanish-speaking clerk to better assist residents in need of services at Town Hall.
Cindy Chavez, 21, of Speonk works Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the town clerk’s office.
“We have a very large Spanish-speaking population that comes in, so having someone who can speak Spanish on our staff will be very helpful,” Riverhead Town Clerk Diane Wilhelm said.
Chavez, the U.S.-born daughter of Salvadoran immigrants, started in her new post on June 18. She has spoken Spanish since she first learned to talk.
“I love translating,” she said. She has worked as a translator since her graduation from high school. While she may be called upon to translate, her primary function in the clerk’s office will be the same as any entry-level clerk.
“We needed the help in the office. We always used to have four people working here,” said Wilhelm, who served in the clerk’s office prior to being elected to the top spot.
The clerk’s office issues marriage licenses, birth certificates, death certificates and a variety of other permits such as fishing and hunting permits, dog licenses, yard sale permits and handicapped parking permits. The clerk is the official record-keeper of the town.
“It’s a very busy office,” Wilhelm said. “And everyone who comes through our door deserves to be helped.”
Chavez will work from 11 to 4:30 on Mondays and Fridays and from 9 to 3 on Wednesday.
Chavez grew up in Nassau County and was homeschooled. A Jehovah’s Witness, she said she does a lot of volunteer work in the Latino communities on the East End.
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