New England
Clerk
Newsletter of the New England Association of City & Town Clerks
Spring 2015
NEACTC PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Sandra Pinsonault, MMC/CVC Town Clerk, Dorset, Vermont
Bridge to Knowledge 2015 NEACTC 48TH Annual Conference Vermont With summer well underway, it is time to start thinking about the 2015 New England Association of City & Town Clerks Annual Conference, to be held at the lovely Woodstock Inn in the quaint village of Woodstock, Vermont, November 18th-20th. The Conference Committee has been very busy working out the details of what promises to be an amazing conference full of first rate education classes along with great entertainment. Inn reservations are to be made directly with the Woodstock Inn by calling (802) 457-1100. Ask for Group Reservations and give the code: NEACTC Conference. On behalf of the Vermont Conference Committee, I look forward to seeing you in Woodstock, November 18-20, 2015! As President of NEACTC, it was an honor to represent all of you at the 69th IIMC Annual Conference this past May in Hartford, CT. This was the first time since 1998 the Annual Conference took place in Region 1. I can assure you that Region 1 hosted an amazing conference from the Opening Ceremony replete with the parade of flags, to the General Sessions, the All Conference Event with the Roaring 20’s theme and ending with the banquet. The Conference Committee should be commended for providing phenomenal educational sessions, entertainment and showcasing true Region I hospitality to all eleven Regions and twelve countries. Congratulations on a job well done! Page 1
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MASSACHUSETTS NEWS Robert E. Cutler, Jr. 1st Vice President
The Massachusetts Town Clerks’ Association (MTCA) will be holding its Annual Spring Conference at Sea Crest in Falmouth on June 10th through June 12th. The MTCA joins with Massachusetts City Clerks’ Association to present educational programs for their association members. The MTCA also holds its annual business meeting including the installation of its officers for the 2016 fiscal year. The following slate of officers will be presented to the MTCA members for their consideration: President – Andrew T. Dowd, CMC, Town of Northborough, Worcester County First Vice President – Jeremy Gillis, MMC/CMC, Town of Easton, Bristol County Second Vice President – Marie Y. Ryan, CMMC, Town of Great Barrington, Berkshire County Treasurer – Robert E. Cutler, Jr. CMC/CMMC, Town of Foxborough, Norfolk County Secretary – Danielle M. Sicard CMC/CMMC, Town of Norton, Bristol County (Term of Office July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016 – first of possible five years) Three members for the E-Board Elizabeth Greendale, Town of Holliston, Middlesex County Term of Office: July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2018 Deborah Dami, MMC/CMMC, Town of Mashpee, Barnstable County Term of Office: July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2018 Nancy Talbot, CMC/CMMC, Town of Ware, Hampshire County Term of Office: July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2018
Congratulations go out to the following town clerks who will be awarded their Certified Massachusetts Municipal Clerk (CMMC) designation at the Annual Conference. The following clerks will also be awarded their CMMC re-certifications at the Annual Conference.
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Dawn E. Michanowicz, Sterling Amy E. Warfield, Burlington Dolores Berge, Somerset Patricia E. Brown, Rockport Theresa T. Bunce, Dennis Danielle M. Sicard, Norton
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Spring 2015
1st CMMC recertification: Lynne F. Grettum, Princeton Robin A. Michaud, Marblehead Susan J. Duplin, Swampscott Marie Y. Ryan, Great Barrington Felecie Joyce, Sheffield 2nd CMMC recertification: Brian Howard, Randolph Cynthia S. May, Orleans Julie S. Smith, Chatham 3rd CMMC recertification: Deborah F. Dami, Mashpee 4th CMMC recertification: Barbara L. LaBombard, Easthampton Joyce A. Bradshaw, North Andover 5th CMMC recertification: Laurence Pizer, Plymouth
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CONNECTICUT NEWS Betsy P. Browne, CMC, MCTC, Fairfield Town Clerk & 2nd Vice President G G
Connecticut Clerks enjoyed a great spring conference at the DoubleTree Hilton in Bristol where we discussed the “Challenges of our Time”. Thank you to the Hartford County Clerks for your hospitality! A Clerk panel presented issues above and beyond the notary public manual and gave us their insights and best practices. The majority of the day was spent with the staff of the Secretary of the State’s Office reviewing the upcoming municipal election process including demonstrations of the CT Voter Registration System. Representatives from the State Elections Enforcement Commission provided an informative overview of campaign finance as well as a status update on the municipal campaign finance pilot bill. On Friday, Northeast Document Conservation Center presented a very informative workshop on creating a disaster recovery plan including document recovery and salvaging books and paper. Congratulations and best wishes to our new CTCA Officers and many thanks to our outgoing Executive Committee, especially Joyce Mascena our past president, for all your hard work and dedication to the CTCA. Listed and pictured below:
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2015 – 2017 CTCA Officers Patricia Strauss, President Anna Posniak, 2nd Exec. VP Antoinette Spinelli, 1 Exec. VP Joan Angelini, Secretary Dawn Mooney, Asst. Secretary Betsy Barrett, Treasurer Michele Grande, Asst. Treasurer st
Patty Strauss the new CTCA President and Deputy Secretary of State James Spallone.
CTCA’s Executive Committee
County Vice Presidents Susan Pawluk, Fairfield Therese Pac, Hartford Lisa Dalton, Litchfield Debra Calamari, Middlesex
Barbara Thompson, New Haven Patricia Riley, New London Diane McKeegan, Tolland Louisa Trakas, Windham
CTCA’s new county Vice Presidents
Congratulations to the following Connecticut Clerks who have achieved their MCTC certification: Carol Anderson, Torrington Asst. Town & City Clerk; Dawn Rees Mooney, Killingworth Asst. Town Clerk; and Michele O’Toole, Killingworth Asst. Town Clerk. Congratulations to Debbie Aurelia Halstead who earned the MMC designation.
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The Certification Committee is pleased to announce that the following people have successfully passed the certification exam and will receive their certificates and pins at the fall conference:
Avon Canton Cheshire East Hartford East Lyme Hamden Hartland Lyme Middletown New Hartford Old Lyme Rocky Hill Salisbury Woodbury
Nicholas Hogan, Asst. Town Clerk II Mary-Alice Marinello, Asst. Town Clerk Christopher O’Herron, Asst. Town Clerk Patricia K. Dickinson, Asst. Town Clerk Robert J. Pasek, Town Clerk Brooke D. Stevens, Asst. Town Clerk Joann Leone, Asst. Town Clerk Elizabeth Essel, Town Clerk Linda Winzer, Town Clerk Cheryl Melkonian, Asst. City & Town Clerk Tino Ranno, Asst. City & Town Clerk Deborah M. Ventre, Asst. Town Clerk Vicki Urbowicz, Asst. Town Clerk Robin Webster, Asst. Registrar VS Kayla Johnson, Asst. Town Clerk Linda L. Carlson, Town Clerk
Following the spring CTCA conference in April, many Connecticut clerks ventured to Hartford for the IIMC conference hosted by Region I. What a fantastic experience - we enjoyed all the educational and social opportunities that were offered. Job well done, Region I!!
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The New England Clerk
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NEWS FROM LITTLE RHODY By: Leigh A. Botello, CMC, Town Clerk, East Greenwich, RI, and 3rd Vice President
SPRING HAS SPRUNG! Patiently we’ve waited, and now you are here. No bulky coats, my driveway is clear. The flowers are blooming and no leaves are fallen. But, I can’t breathe because there’s too much pollen! The Rhode Island Town and City Clerk’s Association (RITCCA) met on April 24, 2015 for the first time this year at their quarterly meeting which was held at the Foster Country Club. Jane Christopher, Foster Town Clerk and John Lewis, Jr. Foster’s Town Council President welcomed everyone. The educational session was a presentation by Joan M. Prue, PRP on Parliamentary Procedures. Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea also spoke to the Association about how she has been working on modernizing elections, increasing transparency, encouraging civic pride and making it easier for businesses to succeed. She introduced a legislative package called VEMA (Voting and Elections Modernization Act of 2015) which will allow Rhode Islanders to quickly and securely register to vote online; it will also clean up our voter rolls. Additionally, VEMA will expand in-person early voting by allowing you to vote when it's convenient for you. VEMA will also strengthen rules around who handles completed mail ballots to ensure integrity. Currently, 24 states, including Massachusetts and Connecticut, have passed online voter registration, and 32 states and Washington DC allow in-person early voting. This important legislation helps engage and empower Rhode Islanders by modernizing our elections.
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The 2018 Conference Committee is working hard on fundraising and we will be touring the beautiful City of Newport in June to find the perfect venue for the 2018 conference. Stay tuned for more details! Several people are congratulated and recognized for their service and accomplishments: x
Denise Carlin Gamon is the new Probate Clerk in Jamestown.
x
Colleen Fontana, Chief, State Registrar of Vitals retired in April.
x
Marie Ahlert, City Clerk in Warwick, eyes retirement this summer after 22 years.
Congratulations Marie!
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MAINE NEWS John Myers, MTCCA President - Buxton Town Clerk & Office Manager
Dear New England Clerks, Hartford-Hartford-Hartford… what a wonderful IIMC conference hosted by our very own Region One Clerks, New England Clerks plus New York. International hats off to Kate Wall and her terrific committee! Maine had a record number of Clerks in attendance, seven. We all had a marvelous experience. All dreaming of attending another IIMC conference in the near future. Speaking of the future… Maine Clerks had mixed emotions when our Associations’ First Vice President Tracey Stevens announced that she would be moving to sunny Florida to be the Town Clerk of Melbourne Beach. We were ecstatic for Tracey, but we knew that her move would leave us with a void. Thank you Tracey for all that you have done over the years for NEMCIA and Maine. Enjoy your new tropical location, with your office on the beach and being close to your family. I’m willing to bet that Florida Clerks will know you and your name in no time. With change comes opportunity... Tracey’s vacancy on our Executive team has been filled by Lisbon Town Clerk Twila Lycette, our new 1st VP and Bangor City Clerk Lisa Goodwin agreed to move from the position of Treasurer to 2nd VP. And just today, the MTCCA Executive Committee approved NEACTC Past President Old Town City Clerk Patty Brochu as our Treasurer. Together, Twila, Lisa and Patty bring us over 75 years of Clerkdom leadership experience. The MTCCA is truly fortunate to have three seasoned and polished Clerks ready to lead. Exciting times ahead for the MTCCA. Stay tuned… As our new leadership soars forward. Clerk on, John Myers, Your Honored Friend MTCCA President
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NEW HAMPSHIRE NEWS Denise Gonyer & Sue McKinnon, 5th Vice President
I am happy to report that the New Hampshire City Town Clerks Association (NHCTCA) finally dug out from under ninety plus inches of snowfall. We are all so happy spring has arrived.
WORKSHOPS Members of the NHCTCA Executive Board worked hard to plan our six regional spring workshops, including two specifically for new clerks. All were well attended. The final workshop will be held Friday, June 12.
CONFERENCES The New England Municipal Clerks Institute and Academy will hold its programs July 11-17 on the lovely Plymouth State University campus. I’m pleased to announce that the following New Hampshire clerks received scholarships to attend: Raymah Simpson, Bristol -3rd year institute, Jane Cypher, Hampton-3rd year institute, Andi Kohler, Exeter-3rd year institute, Kitty Cornwell, Madbury-1st year institute. September 9-11, will mark our 90th NHCTCA Annual conference. The theme: “Serving the Communities We Love.” We plan on offering not only exceptional educational programs, but countless opportunities for networking.
FAREWELL On July 25 we say goodbye to Paul Bergeron, MMC, Nashua City Clerk and IIMC Region I Director. Paul will be retiring after 25 years of service. We thank Paul for his dedication and commitment to our profession and wish him all the best. Thank you and happy spring! Lori Radke NHCTCA President
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VERMONT NEWS Tammy Legacy VMCTA President
This spring it has been very interesting for Town Clerks. The VMCTA Legislative Committee along with our Lobbyist had been working hard for the members of VMCTA. The Education/Certification committee hosted a new clerk and treasurer training in the spring. It was well attended by new and seasoned clerks and treasurers throughout the state. The committee is now busy planning the educational sessions for the annual meeting in September at Stoweflake Resort in Stowe. Vermont had ten (10) Clerks attend the IIMC conference in Hartford, CT. I thought the conference went well. Kate Wall, her committee and all the volunteers did a great job. The sessions that I attended were very interesting. I will never forget the session presented by Warren Macdonald on the Power of Perception. The roaring 20’s party was a lot fun! The location, the band and Bernice Dixon's family made the event very memorable. I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Mud Season Calendar Raffle. It was a great success. I would also like to congratulate the winners. I have the honor of being Vermont's fourth Clerk to become a Fellow of the IIMC Athenian Leadership Society. I completed by tenth Athenian Dialogue at the conference. I am very proud of this accomplishment. I have read books that I never would have read if not for my friends encouraging me to attend the dialogues and learn from the great leaders of our past. If there are any clerks thinking of attending these dialogues, I strongly encourage you to attend one. My first dialogue was in Nashville at an IIMC conference. It was on Andrew Jackson and was held at his homestead and we were able to take a tour of his home. I will never forget that dialogue. I look forward to seeing many of you in Woodstock this November. Sandy Pinsonault and Pattie McCoy are working hard to make the conference memorable and educational.
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VMCTA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Carol Dawes, Clerk of Barre City
It was a much busier session than we anticipated in January. The miscellaneous election bill from last year was a major rewrite. We expected very little activity this session. Instead, we were asked to testify on a variety of issues from Same Day Voter to natural burial grounds to collecting water quality fees for the state. S. 29 – Same Day Voter did pass, effective January 2017, with a provision to work out details with the Secretary of State. H.35 - Water Quality Bill – piqued a lot of interest at the local level. There were basically two proposals: a per parcel fee statewide that would require towns to add a line to the property tax bill, collect the fee and submit it to the state. The second proposal prevailed, which is a percentage attached to the property transfer tax form. H.25 - Natural Burial Grounds – H.25 authorizes the creation of a natural burial ground and defines it as a cemetery that is maintained by using “ecological land management practices” and is “without vaults.” There are requirements for distances from water lines etc. A developer of natural burial grounds would need to record the plat indicating the location in the land records. H.477 – Miscellaneous Election Law Changes – This bill cleaned up a number of small inconsistencies created by last year’s omnibus election law bill, including: x x x x x x x x
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Allow clerks to get rid of voter registration applications after a period of time. Clean up conflicting language to make a voter’s legal address public record. Move the nominating deadline for independent JPs to no later than the 3rd day following the primary. Require voter participation of annual town meeting elections to be entered in statewide voter checklist. Change the deadline for filing public question petitions from 45 days to 47 days to get away from the Friday and weekend. Extend the warning period for special meetings from 15 to 60 days. Allow a budget revote to be held in a different location if the original location is not available. Require posting notice at the original location. Require candidates to be registered voters before the time of filing their petition.
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Oh What a Conference! The 69th Annual IIMC Conference was held in Hartford, CT and a great time was had by all! Delegates started registering on Saturday and received a fabulous bag (thank you Patty McCoy) with several little gifts including a grater/nutmeg and legend on why Connecticut is called the Nutmeg State. Also included were chocolates from Thompson Chocolate from Meriden, CT and a handy bottle of hand sanitizer with our logo. John Bazzano, Host Clerk and I met with the Board of Directors on Saturday and presented each of them with a bottle of wine from the New York Town Clerks. All the wine was produced in New York. Sunday Morning started with the MCEF Walk/Run. Weather was gorgeous and the walk along the Riverfront was very pretty. Unfortunately, mosquitos made their presence known in one location but the volunteers were tough and stayed in position to help guide the walkers and runners. The Opening Reception was held Sunday Night in the Exhibit Hall. So many different and wonderful desserts were served! When entering the Exhibit Hall we distributed seed packets donated by Hart Seeds from Wethersfield, CT to welcome Spring. We had the visits from Mark Twain and Uncle Sam. Mr. Balloon Wizard made all kinds of balloons for the delegates. I had a headpiece made out of a balloon that said “Hello I am Kate”! Michael Lynch did Caricatures of a lot of the delegates and we also had a Photo Booth for delegates to take photos as a reminder. Monday started early with the Opening Ceremony. The parade of flags and the playing of all the National Anthems are always impressive. Patty Strauss and her team did a great job preparing all the flags for this event. The Lt. Governor and the Mayor of Hartford welcomed the delegates. Juston McKinney ended the Opening Ceremony on a high note with his comedy routine. Immediately following the Opening Ceremony we had our Region 1 Meeting. Shawn Cullinane term is ending and Carol Anderson from Torrington, CT will be our new Director. Unfortunately, Paul Bergeron will be retiring so he is also stepping down. Region 1 has been
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extremely fortunate to have both of these clerks as our Directors. Carol will also be wonderful and I am sure whoever is selected to replace Paul as our second Director will also be great. The General Session was “Everyday Leadership-Creating Cultures of Leadership, Power of ‘Lollipop Moments.” Lunch was held in the Exhibit Hall and we handed out “Lobster Lollipops” made in Maine to welcome Summer. By the way – lunch was wonderful; the Convention Center did a great job. During our breaks and lunches in the Exhibit Hall Patty McCoy and Sandi Pinsonault handed out our Door Prizes. Thank you everyone who donated door prizes - we had wonderful prizes and the winners really appreciated them. Tuesday started the General Session “The Powers of Perception.” During lunch we handed out footballs – stress footballs and chocolate footballs to welcome Fall. The All-Conference Event was held on Tuesday Night at Marquis 960. The theme was the Roaring Twenties and I must say we had a Roaring Good Time. When the delegates first arrived we had boas, headpieces, cigarette holders, and fedoras to hand out. Later Anna Posniak was our cigarette girl and she walked around with the candy cigarettes and bubble gum cigars. The Band was our own Pat Farrell (Village Administrator, Village of Lake Success, NY) and the Cold Spring Harbor Band. Everyone enjoyed the band! Wednesday started with a full breakfast and IIMC Annual Meeting. Changes were approved to our Constitution and we should be getting our ballots from IIMC sometime in the near future. Our Annual Banquet was held at the Convention Center and again the food was fabulous! Kevin Scarpati from Meriden, CT entertained us during dinner with Frank Sinatra style songs. The centerpieces were made of wands filled with silver foiled wrapped candy and a silver pompom attached so they looked like shiny snowballs. The Vermont Clerks distributed little gingerbread men filled with Maple Syrup. Very wintery. After dinner we were once again entertained by Pat Farrell and the Cold Spring Harbor Band and once again the delegates had a great time dancing. My deepest thanks to everyone who attended the conference, helped with the fundraising or volunteered during the conference. It was the members of Region 1 who made this conference. Delegates loved the welcome that they received. Everyone at the Registration Desk was helpful and welcoming. I even had someone tell me that could not believe how friendly everyone was – they had been told that New Englanders and New Yorkers were not a friendly group of people! Special thanks to John Bazzano for sharing his city with us. He is very proud of Hartford and has every right to feel this way. I have gotten to know Hartford a little more and look forward to spending more time in the Capitol of Connecticut.
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There is no way I could have done this without Tanya Lane and Irene Masse. Both are my friends who I called constantly about different matters. They give me great advice and support. My deepest thanks. We still have bracelets if anyone is interested!!!!
Please contact me for more information. Kate
Region 1 was well represented
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Karen and Tammy in their roaring 20’s outfits
Our very own Charlie Chaplin
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1920 – Something Olympic Swim Team
Our co-host Katie
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Who said we weren’t friendly?!
Unique headpieces created by Mr. Balloon Wizard!
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Bridge to Knowledge
“BRIDGE TO KNOWLEDGE” NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIATION OF CITY AND TOWN CLERKS 48th ANNUAL CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 18, 19, & 20, 2015 Woodstock Inn Fourteen the Green, Woodstock, VT 05091 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM (Registration Deadline October 1, 2015)
NEACTC
Name:___________________________________________________________________________________________ Title:___________________________________
Municipality:___________________________________________
Mailing Address:___________________________________________________________________________________ Town/City:________________________________________ State______________________
Zip_______________
Email: (Registration confirmation will be mailed):___________________________________________________________ Indicate name for use on badge:__________________________________ Telephone #___________________________ Guest Full Name:_________________________________________ Guest Badge Name:_________________________ NEACTC Member/Associate-Full Registration $200.00 Non-Members of NEACTC ($25 for NEACTC Membership) $225.00 Guest Full Registration $200.00 President’s Reception (only) $55 Social Hour and Banquet (only) $65 Thursday Education and Lunch $50 (only) Thursday Education, Lunch and Banquet $100 (only) 1st Time Attendee Discount (must register by Oct 1st) -$50.00
Amount $_______________ $_______________ $_______________ $_______________ $_______________ $_______________ $_______________
If attending the Thursday Banquet, please check your selection below: Filet Mignon Atlantic Salmon Vegetarian If you have special dietary needs please check here and someone will contact you Registration after October 1, 2015, please include a $50 late fee $_______________ Check enclosed for a total of $_______________ Cancellation of conference registration after November 1, 2015 is non-refundable Full Registration Package Includes: WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY Welcome & Opening Ceremony Full Breakfast Full Breakfast Educational Session Educational Sessions Educational Session President's Reception Lunch (casual dress) Banquet-make selection above (formal dress) HOTEL RESERVATIONS ARE MADE DIRECTLY WITH THE Woodstock Inn at (802) 457-1100 and ask for Group Reservations : NEACTC Conference
Make checks payable to: NEACTC Conference and mail to: Donna Kinville, City Clerk NEACTC 2015 Conference 575 Dorset Street, South Burlington, VT 05403
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FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
I never wish away the summer because it takes so long for it to get here, and I want it to last as long as possible. But I’m excited about the upcoming NEACTC Conference in Woodstock, VT after looking at the pictures in the last newsletter and again in this one. Many of us had such a great time in Hartford at IIMC that we can’t wait to get together again. Conferences offer us such a great opportunity to learn, network, catch up and share not only our best practices but also opinions on what works and what doesn’t work in our offices. The registration information is included in this newsletter and again in the next edition so you can start planning and register early. Hope to see many of you there! Have a wonderful summer! ~Betsy
New England Clerk Newsletter of the NEACTC Betsy P. Browne, Editor 611 Old Post Road Fairfield, CT 06824
[email protected]
NEACTC ANNUAL CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 18 – 20, 2015 WOODSTOCK INN, WOODSTOCK, VT Visit our website: www.newenglandclerks.org
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