Sandra Motyka Retires As Manager —

Board Member Spent 26 Years Serving Edmond Town Hall

By Kendra Bobowick

Has it been 24 years or 26?

A little digging into town records confirmed that retiring Board of Managers member Sandra Motyka has given 26 years of volunteer service to the board that oversees the historic Edmond Town Hall’s daily function and overall planning and operation.

Glancing at the small group of friends around her Monday, November 7, during a surprise farewell, Ms Motyka said, “I am taken aback. I love this building and because I am off the board does not mean I am done here.” She added, “ I intend to make sure good things happen here. Count on me!”

Glancing at a painting of Mary Hawley, the town’s benefactress who donated the town hall, among other buildings, to Newtown, Ms Motyka and others raised glasses in a brief toast to celebrate her time on the board. The gathering of managers, past and present, and Ms Motyka’s friends congratulated her Monday as she entered what turned out to be her last board meeting. Friend and supporter Margot Hall coordinated the evening. Ms Hall, the former judge of probate, won a seat on the Board of Managers Tuesday during municipal elections.

Waiting for her in the town hall’s Mary Hawley meeting room were past chairmen Edgar Beers and Jay Gill, past member Jane Sharpe, former town clerk Mae Schmidle, current board members, and First Selectman Pat Llodra.

Setting down her wine glass, Ms Motyka considered her future plans. “I will do some new things, new challenges in the community,” she said. She likes to paint and write, she added. Ms Motyka also plans to continue efforts with the Mary Hawley Society, which she helped establish in 2007 as a fundraising arm to support Edmond Town Hall projects.

“I am not abandoning the town hall in any way. I want to focus on keeping it as beautiful as it can be,” she said. Beside her were two other society members, Jane Sharpe and Marg Studley, who Ms Motyka often called upon for help.

Board member Jim Juliano spoke: “We’re here for your years of dedication. You have been involved in so many changes; we’re fortunate, I mean it.”

Mrs Llodra said, “We are the kind of community we are because of people like Sandy Motyka and [husband] Walt Motyka.” She said, “The town treasures the Edmond Town Hall and we needed people to help us remember that its iconic in town history. Sandy was forceful in reminding us and that has raised the profile of the building.” Turning to Ms Motyka, Mrs Llodra said, “Congratulations.”

Among the gifts Ms Motyka received were photographs of the town hall and its view, thanks to Mr Gill, a knit scarf from board member Karen Pierce, and a piece of the original slate roof mounted in a shadow box, which was presented by Mary Fellows, Marie Smith, and Mr Juliano.

As project manager for the reroofing, which took place several years ago, Ms Motyka said, “This will have a place of honor in my home.”

Ms Motyka has served the managers since 1985.