Jean St Jean Feted For 40 Years Of Service

About 75 friends, colleagues, and associates of Jean St Jean gathered Wednesday evening at The Dana-Holcombe House on Main Street to honor Jean St Jean’s 40 years of service to the town, which overlaps with her 28 years of service to the borough.

Ms St Jean is the town staff member handling Newtown Zoning Board of Appeals matters. For the borough, she is the staff member for the Borough Zoning Commission and the Borough Zoning Board of Appeals.

The garden party, which was held on a covered patio behind the inn, brought together many well-wishers who recollected their fond memories of Ms St Jean during her four decades of work for the town.

Borough Warden James Gaston served as the master of ceremonies at the event.

Selectman Herb Rosenthal remarked that he has seen no public servant more dedicated to their duties than Ms St Jean.

Mr Rosenthal, a former first selectman, said, “Jean used to let me think I was her boss.”

“She’s still doing it,” quipped First Selectman Joe Borst.

 Borough Burgess Joan Crick said Ms St Jean has been very helpful to borough officials over the years.

 Town Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Charles E. Annett III presented a plaque to Ms St Jean, honoring her for her work.

 Mr Gaston also presented a plaque to Ms St Jean on behalf of the borough. That plaque included a “key to the borough.”

“Jean is really a role model of what a public servant should be,” Mr Gaston said. “She is one of the genuine jewels of the borough and the town,” he said.

Ms St Jean’s knowledge of borough zoning matters is deep, he said. “What Jean tells you, you can take to the bank,” he said.