By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Retired Assistant Town Administrator Bob Curtin was recognized for his 40 years of service to the town during the Select Board’s June 23 meeting.
Select Board Chair Phil Crawford thanked Curtin for his 16 years working for the town and 40-year relationship with the town that previously included working as a newspaper reporter and editor for almost 25 years.
“Bob is going to semi-retire,” said Crawford. “He is not going to fully retire, but Bob’s work as our assistant town administrator at Town Hall is going to come to an end. We want to thank you for everything you have done.”
Crawford said Rob Dolan’s transition from Melrose mayor to Lynnfield town administrator “wouldn’t have gone nearly as well” if Curtin was not working in the Town Administrator’s Office.
“He would be the first one to say that,” said Crawford. “Your knowledge and expertise is unmatched. Honestly, it is going to be very hard to replace you.”
Crawford said he “loves” that Curtin will continue working for the Select Board on a part-time basis.
“We know that you will enjoy your family life and your health and welfare at home,” said Crawford. “We wish you the best and I want to thank you for everything that you have done for the town.”
Select Board member Dick Dalton agreed.
“This is my 10th year on the board, and you have been a valuable resource to the board as a whole and me personally,” said Dalton. “I don’t think most people appreciate the contributions that you have made over many years. Every important decision, every problem that has come up and anything this board and the town administrator deal with, your input is invaluable. Thank you from both a professional level and a personal level for all that you have done.”
Select Board Vice Chair Alexis Leahy thanked Curtin for his service in an interview with the Villager.
“Bob’s wisdom and knowledge have been so helpful in guiding me through learning the intricacies of this role,” said Leahy. “I wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.”
The Select Board presented Curtin with a chair for him to use at home.
“It’s a beautiful chair,” said Crawford. “It has Bob’s name on it and the Lynnfield insignia.”
Curtin thanked Dolan and the Select Board for helping make Lynnfield “a wonderful place to work.”
“That is not only Rob and this board, but your predecessors,” said Curtin. “I came to Lynnfield as a reporter in 1985 when I was 23-years-old. I thought I would spend two years in this little town, and I would move onto something bigger. But I have to say, it’s the quality of the people I worked with, the volunteers, the elected officials and the people in Town Hall that has made Lynnfield a place I couldn’t get away from. I appreciate everything this board and past boards have done for me, and Rob especially.”
Curtin said working with the Select Board and Dolan “has been a pleasure.”
“I look forward to continue working for you,” said Curtin.
During a retirement reception held at the Al Merritt Media and Cultural Center on the afternoon of June 23, Dolan said Curtin has carried the town “through good times and bad times.”
“Bob is the knower of all things, he is the group therapist, he is brilliantly smart and is a throwback to a time that is long gone but we all miss,” said Dolan. “He is a rock-solid human being. He has done everything for this town even though he has never lived a day in it. He should be recognized forever as someone who has done so much for this community. I have learned so much from him and I am going to miss him to death, but he is still going to do some things for us. We are going to miss Bob. There are certain people who are not replaceable. You just have to try and go on. We are going to desperately miss him. I want to thank Bob Curtin for everything he has done for me and everything he has done for the town.”
Curtin thanked all of the town employees for coming to the reception.
“It has been a pleasure,” said Curtin. “Some of you know me before my town employee days when I was a newspaper reporter. It has been a pleasure.”
Additional retirees recognized
In addition to Curtin, Dolan honored two other retirees during the reception held at the Al Merritt Media and Cultural Center.
Dolan said Treasurer/Collector administrative assistant Maureen Lanzillotti has worked for the town for 10 years. He said she began her career working for the Department of Public Works before transferring to the Treasurer/Tax Collector Department.
“Maureen is always pleasant when people come to the Treasurer/Collector Office with questions about their taxes,” said Dolan. “I wish her health and happiness. Lynnfield will always be your home. We are all going to miss you.”
Dolan said Deputy DPW Director/Town Engineer John Tomasz came to Lynnfield eight years ago after previously working in Salem, Hamilton and Rockport.
“John is kind, nice and centered,” said Dolan. “Over the last few years as we changed so many things, there has not been a more gentlemanly and understanding, kind and good person than John Tomasz. I just want to thank him for that. John, you have done an incredible job and I thank you for everything that you have done. If it were not for John, the school additions would never have been built. You should be recognized for everything you have done.”
Tomasz said Lynnfield was the fourth community he worked for over the course of his public works career.
“Lynnfield is my favorite place due to the support I have received,” said Tomasz.
Senior Center Director Linda Naccara and Senior Center Assistant Director/Outreach Worker Debby Triffletti are also retiring this year, but they were unable to attend the reception.
Naccara said she will miss working as the Senior Center’s director.
“Twenty five years ago, my husband’s Coast Guard career transferred us to New England,” said Naccara. “We were only supposed to live here for one year, and so I came to the Lynnfield Senior Center looking to volunteer. I met Betty Hayter, president of the Board of Directors,
that day and here I am 25 years later. With the support of the town, a strong board, the Friends’ fundraising group and many volunteers, we expanded the center from two rooms to what it is today. There have been challenges, but so much fun and laughter along the way and
I have found lifelong friends here. I will always be grateful for this amazing opportunity to enrich the lives of others.”
Triffletti agreed.
“It has been an honor and privilege to have served the wonderful seniors of Lynnfield over the past 20 years,” said Triffletti. “I will hold a special place in my heart for every senior.”