Nine Residents Honored

With Public Service Awards

By Steve Bigham

Nine Newtown residents were honored last week by the secretary of state’s office for more than a quarter century of volunteer municipal service to the community.

Joseph E. Borst, Bob J. Carroll, Raymond O. Craven, William A. Honan, Jr, Francis M. Krasnickas, Eleanor C. Mayer, Melissa M. Pilchard, Jack H. Rosenthal, and James J. Smith, Jr, were all recognized with the presentation of the Public Service Award at a ceremony at Quinnipiac University in Hamden. These men and women have served the community as either elected or appointed officials for at least 25 years.

In thanking them, Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz said, “Your willingness to serve your fellow citizens is what makes democracy thrive. Local governments work because people are willing to give up one of the most precious commodities they have – their time.”

Mrs Bysiewicz added that their efforts without pay, applause, or personal advancement are a “precious gift.”

In addition to having had volunteered for at least 25 years, the criteria for the award also stated that the person had to be living. In Newtown, constables and justices of the peace were not included because many are paid. The Newtown Board of Fire Commissioners does have several volunteers who would have been eligible. However, it chose not to participate.

The job of determining who qualified and who did not was left up to Town Clerk Cindy Simon, who spent “days and days and days” poring over town records.

“I went back to the 1950s and I worked my way forward through all the boards and commissions,” she said. “There were people that were close, but didn’t quite reach 25 years.”

Mrs Simon said it was especially difficult because she was forced to cross-reference the different people with the different boards for the last 50 years.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal congratulated each of those honored.

“We’re very fortunate that we have had so many people who volunteer their services to the town. This town certainly couldn’t function without the help of volunteers,” Mr Rosenthal said. “They provide a history and stability that is very important.”

William Honan has served the most years by far with 75.5 years to his record. It should be noted that some people volunteered for more than one post in a year and therefore there was some overlapping.

The following is a brief rundown of where each volunteer served (or serves) and the number of years:

Joseph E. Borst: Board of Selectmen (4 years), Legislative Council (11 years), Charter Revision Commission (2 years), Public Building & Site Commission (8 years).

Robert J. Carroll, Jr: Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps (25 years).

Raymond O. Craven: Parks & Recreation Commission (28 years).

William A. Honan, Jr: Sub-Register of Vital Statistics (32 years), Legislative Council (12 years), Town Hall Board of Managers (7 years), HART Committee (11 years), Charter Revision Commission (1 year), Parks & Recreation Commission (12 years), Board of Finance (1/2  year).

Francis M. Krasnickas: Public Building & Site Commission (25 years).

Eleanor C. Mayer: Board of Tax Review/Assessment Appeals (17 years), WPCA (13 years).

Melissa M. Pilchard: Legislative Council (21 years), State of Connecticut Garner Safety Committee (4 years).

Jack H. Rosenthal: Board of Finance (13 years), Board of Selectmen (4 years), Legislative Council (6 years), Charter Revision Commission (5 years).

James J. Smith, Jr: ZBA alternate and full member (17 years), Legislative Council (2 years), Charter Revision Commission (2 years), Health District Board (2 years), Board of Selectmen (2 years), Northwest Regional Mental Health Bd Cachment Council (1 year), Charter Study Committee (1 year).