CANTON — At a town meeting Thursday night, town officials recognized two longtime residents for their service to Canton and announced that they intend to resume honoring the oldest residents with Boston Post Cane certificates.
Selectmen Chairman Donny Hutchins told the audience that about three decades ago, Canton officials devised a way to recognize individuals for their service to Canton. It is a large wooden plaque labeled “Town of Canton Service Honor Roll.” Affixed to it are rows of metal strips, engraved with the names of those recognized.
Hutchins said that the plaque was found during the move from the old Town Office on Staples Hill Road to the new Town Office beside Route 108. He said selectmen “thought it would be nice to reactivate the program.”
Criteria for the recognition are length and quality of service.
“Tonight, we have two names we would like to add to the plaque that have a combined service of 77 years to the town of Canton,” Hutchins said.
“The first person started out as the municipal building chairperson, served as election warden, tax collector, treasurer, clerk, selectperson, secretary to the selectmen and chairperson of the Board of Selectmen,” he said. “She was active with the Canton Food Bank and many functions in town.
“With 33 years of service to the town of Canton, it is with great pleasure that we add Jackie Conant as the newest Honor Roll member.”
Conant was still serving as a selectman at the age of 68 when she passed away on Sept. 22, 2013. Her husband, Norris Conant, accepted the award on his wife’s behalf.
Hutchins continued the presentation, saying the next inductee was a founding member of the first Planning Board and had served 18 years on the board, as well as chairman for many years.
“He was also a founding member of the Canton Budget Committee and still serves on the Budget Committee today,” Hutchins said. “I even heard that he occasionally drove the school bus on eighth-grade field trips to Augusta. With 44 years of service to the town of Canton and counting, it is with great pleasure to induct Norris Conant to the Canton Honor Roll.”
He presented the plaque to Conant.
During the meeting, Conant sat with the Budget Committee, which helped selectmen answer questions from the crowd about various warrant articles.
Hutchins gave the crowd a history of the Boston Post Cane, which is topped with 14-carat gold. Although the cane is kept by the town, recipients receive a Boston Post Cane certificate.
Selectmen are asking for help from townspeople to find the oldest Canton resident. Nomination papers for the award must be returned to the Town Office no later than Monday, June 29. To be eligible for nomination, the person must have lived in Canton for at least 20 years. Nomination papers are available at the Town Office.
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