Dorchester County thanks clerk to council for almost 19 years of service

CAMBRIDGE — Dorchester County Clerk to Council Donna Lane was thanked at her final County Council meeting as a county employee.

During the meeting, Council President Lenny Pfeffer announced that Lane has taken a job with the state. In her 18 years and nine months as a county employee, Lane served a variety of positions, from administrative assistant to acting county manager.

Pfeffer, who called the news “bittersweet,” thanked Lane for being a valuable resource in the county, as well as a friend.

“Even before I was elected, when I would sit in the audience and I’d have questions about how the county works, I’d come to you, and you would give me answers, and I greatly appreciate that,” he said to her.

Council Member William Nichols teared up as he recounted Lane’s first day as a county employee.

“I wish you could stay,” he said, later adding, “you’re doing what you have to do to make you happy, to make your family happy. And that’s the main thing.”

During public comment, Derek Griffin, who is on the county’s Police Accountability Board and Administrative Charging Committee, said Lane has “provided exceptionally outstanding support” to the boards he is on.

“So I would appeal to the county officials, please, with enhanced urgency, please make sure that we have the adequate and appropriate support that we need to maintain our programs on both boards,” he said.

Pfeffer thanked Griffin for his comments and said the reason they asked Lane to provide support to those boards is because of her attention to detail.

“She knows how the programs work,” Pfeffer said. “She knows how the legal system works with us. Donna, I can’t say enough about all that you do here, so thank you again.”

Before the meeting ended, County Attorney Chip MacLeod said that over the years, he’s always copied Lane on emails.

“Knowing that whatever happens, if Donna knows I’ve sent this email, there’s going to be a record and we’ll figure something out,” he said.

MacLeod joked that with Lane leaving, he is going to have more to do.

“I think I’m going to have to pay attention a little more (to) what’s happening at these meetings,” he said, laughing. “Thank you.”

At the end of the meeting, Lane said that it has been a pleasure working with county staff, the County Council, and previous councils.

“I’m honored to be able to do that and also focus on the best that we could do for our citizens of the county,” she said. “And I know that’ll be continued with this council and staff.”

This article has been updated to correct Lane's title.