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50 proud years on the job
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM --- Young whippersnappers might work 10 jobs in their working life --- and that would seem normal.
Meet Dave Barton who, last week, quietly marked 50 years at National Chromium.
Barton started at National Chromium in 1960, hired by the founder of the company, Norm Trudeau. Barton was working part time at Idlewild Farms and a friend asked if he'd be interested in working as a plater at National Chromium. Trudeau had said he "wanted someone young."
It was before strict record keeping, but John Miller, company owner, said they figure that Barton started Dec. 22, 1960, just before Christmas.
Barton, for his part, said he thought some of the old timers working 19 years was "hard to grasp." Now that he's hit the 50-year mark, and time has flown so fast, it's just "mind-boggling."
And Barton has seen it all in his 50 years. Good times and challenging times. He's seen customers come and go. He's seen the company expand and contract.
And the pride shines through. "It brings tears to my eyes that John (Miller) thought enough of me to celebrate my 50th anniversary here," Barton said.
Miller calls Barton's half century at the company an achievement. "He's a dedicated employee in good times and in bad," Miller said.
Miller said "everybody goes to Dave." Barton knows every job, every customer, the history of every job and customer.
In these times where there is no concept of longevity or dedication, Barton stands head and shoulders above.
When Barton began at age 17, he was too young at first to run the machines. He trained under Bob Miller. "He trained me. He taught me a lot."
Most appealing to Barton was finding ways to get a particular job accomplished for a customer. There were challenges such as creating a way to mold rubber caster wheels and much more. Serving some years as a production manager was also trying. "There were three shifts of schedules, machines and more to manage," he said.
Barton, who tinkers with sauna stoves and refurbishing Gravely tractors in an old chicken coop behind his home in Danielson, plans to keep working. "There's so much satisfaction in doing a good job."