Earlier this year, I received the distinct privilege of being asked to permit a citizenship award to be established in my name. On March 23, a dinner and fund raiser was held at the Redding Roadhouse for this purpose. The event was a great success and a personally moving experience. I understand that after 24 years on the Board of Selectmen and four years before that on the Board of Finance, some saw my service to the town as a good vehicle for the creation of a citizenship award.
While I feel most unworthy of such an honor — especially as I think of the many wonderful and talented citizens of our town who have done far more than I have, or ever could, both now and in the past — I accepted this invitation. I did so because we do not have a formal townwide mechanism to recognize the contributions that people offer to make Easton ever better.
While individual organizations do this, it struck me that establishing a way to highlight the work of people who make contributions that are above and beyond the norm, that elevate and improve the whole town, should be celebrated by the whole town. With this goal in mind, I am pleased announce the formation of the Lessler Citizenship Award.
Once a year, the award will recognize someone who demonstrates outstanding public service to Easton by virtue of the duration, scope and depth of their service. Someone who displays a commitment to consensus through bipartisan or nonpartisan action. Someone who displays dedication to using some form of public service to improve the lives of the townspeople through exemplary deeds or service and respectful acts that enhance public welfare.
The award will be given each year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving at 2 p.m. in the library community room to someone who meets the following criteria:
1) the individual is a key participant in an accomplishment of public benefit,
2) the benefit is of long duration,
3) the scope of the accomplishment impacts a wide swath of the community,
4) the accomplishment creates a sense of community, and
5) the individual need not be a town resident, nor an elected or appointed government official, but must have substantial connections to Easton.
The winner will be recognized with a prize describing the award, with their name added to a permanent plaque located in Town Hall, and with a donation to a cause chosen by the recipient which is relevant to the work for which they are being recognized. The winner will be invited to join the committee. The winner will be officially announced in late summer each year. Everyone will be invited to attend the presentation ceremony.
While this year, a small committee has worked with me to implement this project and select a winner, going forward, nominations for the award can be submitted to me at [email protected] or to any one of the committee members, or to the first selectman’s office beginning on May 1 each year. Nominations will be closed on September 1 each year. Nominations should include the name, address and contact information for the winner and the nominator and a short explanation of why the nominator believes their candidate is deserving of the award.
I want to thank John Cunningham, Wendy Bowditch, Maureen Williams and Jim Riling for working with me as the original committee members. In many ways, each of these outstanding people is worthy of this award given their many years of service to Easton. I am grateful to each of them for their commitment to this project.
Please look for our announcement of the winner and award ceremony information later this year. If you would like to help, or if you have any questions, please contact me or any of the members of the committee. Thank you.
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