Service recognized
POMFRET — The town of Pomfret recently presented its 2021 Service Recognition Awards:
12 Years
Garry Brown ---  Food Pantry, Established the Pomfret Food Pantry in 2009.  Volunteer work running the pantry, Veterans Representative –working with veterans, Municipal Agent for the Elderly. Always modest & behind-the scenes.
13 Years
Richard Dunn: Constable, Head Constable – Always willing to take on volunteer assignments.  Stepped-up as head constable, handling event coordination, training, uniform inventory, and scheduling.  Volunteered annually to assist in hanging street flags for Memorial Day.
15 Years:
Laurie Bell: Pomfret Librarian – Dedicated to library.  Completed building improvements, expanded programming, increased the number of patrons.  Taken on fund-raising and led effort for building expansion securing grant funding.
Elaine Nelson:    Friends of Pomfret Library, Windham County 4H  Camp– Always a willing volunteer.  Has worked tirelessly for Windham-Tolland 4H camp.  Started the Friends of Public Library fund-raising group that provides programming at the library. Manages annual book sale for library.  Endless volunteer hours in many capacities.
Bonnie Ryan: Selectmen’s Assistant – Service to various administrations in whatever capacity needed.  Served as clerk for Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, and Planning and Zoning Commission and as administrative assistant to First Selectman. Invaluable institutional knowledge and organizational skills managing grants, scheduling, Human Resources, and ability to readily adapt to multiple administrations.
20 Years
Peter Mann: Served on the Board of Finance, Board of Selectmen, Economic Planning & Development Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, and served as secretary for Pomfret Senior Housing Authority, and a Justice of the Peace.  Volunteered annually to assist in hanging street flags for Memorial Day.
25 Years
Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Cartier: Registrar of Voters, on numerous Boards, Commission and Pomfret Times – Served on Board of Education, Senior Advocate Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and as a Justice of the Peace.  25 years as a co-founder and co-editor of The Pomfret Times.
Barbara Gagnon: Recreation Director – 25 years of dedicated service.  Greatly expanded  recreation programming and services and oversight of Recreation Park working  weekends and evenings to oversee programs.
Glenn Postemski: Director of Public Works – dedicated employee for 25 years. Demonstrated great fiscal oversight of department budget. Valuable knowledge of town roads, bridges, Ordinances, and State regulations.  Committed to safety of town roads in all types of weather, Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night kept Glenn from ensuring safe passage for all Pomfret residents.
30 Years
Johnson Electric/Paul &JoAnn Johnson: Annually decorated Holiday Tree on the Town Green with lights, donated  bucket truck service for street flags for Memorial Day.  Many years of valuable community service.
33 Years
Muriel Mrakovich: Recreation Commission – Serving as volunteer secretary for the Recreation Commission for thirty-three years.
35 Years
Cheryl Grist; Town Clerk & Treasurer – Dedicated employee serving under Nora Johnson as Assistant Town Clerk and Assistant Treasurer and elected as Town Clerk/Treasurer upon Nora’s retirement.  Also serves on Pomfret Street Cemetery Committee and as Justice of the Peace.  Dedicated to the town and its citizens. “It is an honor to serve.”
40 Years
Beverly ‘Bev’ Champany: Recreation Commission, Planning & Zoning Commission – Original organizer of Positively Pomfret Day for Town’s 275th anniversary.  Served for 40 years on the Recreation Commission volunteering for many events and continues as a member and on the Planning & Zoning Commission
45 Years
Joseph Stoddard: Numerous Boards & Commissions including Board of Finance, Inland Wetlands, Economic Planning & Development and Justice of Peace – Community service in almost all volunteer aspects of town government – Joe served tirelessly on many boards and commissions and continues to do so today.
50 Years
Walter Hinchman: Planning & Zoning, Town Historian, many years the Moderator – Community service for years Walter has maintained strict oversight of the Planning Commission and its transition to the Planning and Zoning Commission.  Always available to moderate Town Meetings and consistently did so in a fair and impartial way.  Dedicated in his service to the town.
Pomfret Lions Club: Founded in 1954; Pomfret’s primary service organization for 67 years; various fund- raising events provides support for many causes in the local area and especially Pomfret; 100% of money raised is donated.  Donations to Pomfret organizations include Seely-Brown Village, Pomfret Libraries, Windham County 4-H, Boy Scouts, Little league, PCS Awards, Hospice DKH, Memorial Day events, Pomfret Recreation, Scholarships for secondary schools, TEEG and Eye Screening at PCS.  Club has participated in various community service initiatives, such as building the Lions Pavilion at the Town Recreation Park.  Our motto is “We Serve” and Lion members take great pride in serving Pomfret.    

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