The clerk has been battling an illness and out of work since June.
HOLYOKE — City Clerk Susan M. Egan said Wednesday she will miss another election next week as she recovers from an illness from which she hopes to return early next year.
Susan Egan
Egan, 63, who has been clerk for 20 years, has been out of work since June.
"The doctor said another month, probably the beginning of the year," Egan said over the phone.
She won't be there to oversee the Holyoke results Tuesday of the elections for president, state representative and other seats. She speaks daily with Assistant City Clerk Louise K. Bisson, who is in charge in her absence, she said.
Egan missed the previous city election, which was the primary election for state representative on Sept. 6.
Egan is approaching the final year of what she said will be her last, four-year term, and said she has no plans to resign before the term expires in January 2014.
"I'll come back as soon as I can. I'm coming along good," Egan said.
She declined to discuss her illness in detail. In July, Egan told The Republican and MassLive.com that on July 4, she felt what seemed to be severe heartburn. She went to the hospital, and while her heart was fine, an ulcer in her stomach was determined to be the cause of the pain. She said she was being treated for that and that her weak left leg was improving with therapy.
Asked for a comment about Egan, Mayor Alex B. Morse wrote in an email, "I have not spoken to her. I do not supervise other elected officials and her performance should be judged by the voters. Assistant Clerk Louise Bisson has done a great job leading the office in Susan's absence."
The city clerk is the official keeper of municipal records. This includes birth, death and marriage certificates. Newly formed businesses are supposed to register with the clerk’s office. The clerk also issues dog licenses.
The clerk is clerk of the City Council, preparing the agenda and keeping records of council meetings, such as recording votes. The city clerk also is clerk of elections and the city’s registrar of voters.