Employee Recognition
Merit Award Recipients
In 2018, the Select Board created several categories of Special Merit Awards to recognize employees for their hard work. The Awards are presented each year to employees along with a one-time payment of $250, presented with a certificate designating their Award.
Award Nomination Forms are available here.
FY'2023 Recipients
Select Board Chair Michael Currie and Town Administrator Adam Lamontagne presented the Fiscal Year 2023 Merit Awards to three employees at the November 15th Fall Town Meeting. The honorees were chosen from those nominated by the general public and fellow employees as those who have gone above and beyond in the areas, Communications, Efficiency, or Pinnacle of Excellence.
The Communications Award, for those showing a commitment to assisting the public and transparency in government & include improving and/or devising new ways to communicate information within the organization and to the public at large, was presented to Ms. Dottie Bresnahan.
The Efficiency Award, for those displaying a commitment to ensuring we operate proficiently and efficiently by “stepping up” and stepping in and/or suggesting ideas that result in ease of processing, and savings of time was presented to Ms. Karen Johnson, a 10-year town employee for her creative, out-of-the- box thinking and can-do attitude in the Library.
The Pinnacle of Excellence Award for those who display a willingness to make extraordinary efforts in the ongoing improvement of the organization, assisting other staff members or departments to complete new or ongoing assignments and often requires the person to “stretch” to learn new computer programs, methodologies or processes, was presented to Ms. Jessica Case, who works in the Development Services Department for her hard work and positive attitude.
FY23 Recipients below left to right: Jessica Case, Karen Johnson, Dottie Bresnahan.
FY’2022 Recipients
The Communications Award, for those showing a commitment to assisting the public and transparency in government & include improving and/or devising new ways to communicate information within the organization and to the public at large, was presented to Ms. Elaine LeBlanc, a 2-year town employee who serves as Templeton’s MART “dispatcher” at the Senior Community Center for her commitment to facilitating excellent communication in managing the transportation schedules, and for her ability to create effective working relationship with both staff and visitors of the Senior Community Center. Comments from nominations included, “She is efficient, warm and 100% dedicated to making our Senior Center wonderful.”
The Efficiency Award, for those displaying a commitment to ensuring we operate proficiently and efficiently by “stepping up” and “stepping in and/or suggesting ideas that result in ease of processing, and savings of time, material, and storage requirements, was presented to two employees. The first award was presented to Ms. Danielle Kirby, a 1-year employee who serves as the Deputy Treasurer/Collector, for her proficiency in dissecting detailed data, a willingness to “float” by assisting the Accountant’s Office, and a desire to further educate herself by attending the Treasurer/Collector’s school. Comments from co-workers included, “She is prompt with inter-office requests,” and that she has, “excellent people skills and knows how to diffuse a difficult situation.” The second award was presented to Ms. Nancy Tyros, an employee of the Town for just under a year who serves as the Assistant Town Accountant, for her quick learning, intra and inter-department communications, and proactivity in solving problems as they arise. Comments from nominations included, “Nancy is pro-active and is transparent in her daily work,” and that she is, “very organized and thorough.”
The Pinnacle of Excellence Award for those who display a willingness to make extraordinary efforts in the ongoing improvement of the organization, assisting other staff members or departments to complete new or ongoing assignments and often requires the person to “stretch” to learn new computer programs, methodologies or processes, was presented to Mr. Jeffrey Aldrich, an over 20-year town employee who serves as the Sewer Superintendent in the Sewer Department, for his friendly work and cooperation with other departments and for successfully stepping into the role of Sewer Superintendent. Jeffrey has worked for the department during times of greater personal difficulty and has always rose to new challenges and obstacles. Among comments from the nominations were, “Jeff has hung in there over insurmountable odds.”
FY22 Recipients below left to right: Elaine LeBlanc, Jeff Aldrich, Nancy Tyros and in the second picture, Danielle Kirby receiving her award from Select Board Chair Tim Toth & Town Administrator Adam Lamontagne
FY’2021 Recipients
The Communications Award, for those showing a commitment to assisting the public and transparency in government including improving and/or devising new ways to communicate information within the organization and to the public at large, was presented to Mr. Steve Castle, a 12-year town employee who serves as our Cable TV/TCTV Station Manager for his commitment to facilitating excellent communication within Templeton Community Television and the Town through the successful operation of Zoom Board/Committee meetings over the course of the COVID-19 Pandemic. He took meetings to a new level with his research, work, and implementation of the Meeting Owl. Comments from nominations included “Steve has a great attitude, is efficient, helpful & cooperative with great communication skills”. The second award was presented to Ms. Hannah Bennett, who started with the Town just under a year ago, for her commitment to exemplary communication and her fast-learning skills within Templeton Community Television due to her work broadcasting meetings and producing events with new technologies and testing them on unfamiliar systems during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Her help to the various Boards and Committees—as well as her cooperative demeanor—have not gone unnoticed. Comments from nominations included “Hannah is diligent and takes extra care to make sure our meetings and community video productions are of the best quality possible. She is an asset to our community.”
The Efficiency Award, for those displaying a commitment to ensuring we operate proficiently and efficiently by “stepping up” and “stepping in and/or suggesting ideas that result in ease of processing, and savings of time, material, and storage requirements, was presented to Mr. Paul McAuliffe, a 10-year town employee for his creative, out-of-the-box thinking and can-do attitude with the Department of Public Works, as well the respect he gives to his fellow co-workers. Comments from co-workers included, “Paul is always willing to do what it takes to get the job done correctly” and “Paul is always a pleasant person who takes things in stride-he is always willing to speak up & think outside the box”.
The Pinnacle of Excellence Award for those who display a willingness to make extraordinary efforts in the ongoing improvement of the organization, assisting other staff members or departments to complete new or ongoing assignments and often requires the person to “stretch” to learn new computer programs, methodologies or processes, was presented to Ms. Rhonda Parenteau, a 2-year town employee who serves as the Senior Administrative Assistant in the Development Services Departmentfor her hard work and positive attitude. Rhonda ran her office within Development Services well at a time of historic growth in the Town, all while providing needed assistance to the residents and her fellow co-workers. Her assistance at the COVID-19 vaccination clinics did not go unnoticed. Among comments from the nominations were “Rhonda takes efficiency and multi-tasking to a whole new level” and “Rhonda is a hard worker, dedicated, organized and positive. She is a role model and asset to the Town”.
The Merit Awards were created in 2018 to publicly honor the finest examples of the Town’s many exemplary employees the Town is proud to have in its employ. In addition to being named publicly, the employee is honored with a Certificate of Recognition and a one-time award of $250.00.
FY21 Recipients below left to right: Steve Castle, Hannah Bennett, Rhonda Parenteau & Paul McAuliffe 
FY’2020 Recipients
The Communications Award, for those showing a commitment to assisting the public and transparency in government including improving and/or devising new ways to communicate information within the organization and to the public at large, was presented to Ms. Brigid Lambert, a 32-year town employee who serves as Water Clerk & Secretary in the Municipal Light & Water Department. Amongst other comments from the nominations were, “She provides up to date information quickly and concisely”, “She’s pleasant, has excellent telephone skills, very efficient and timely.” Brigid has displayed a commitment to communicating well with customers, colleagues, other Town Departments and Board & Committee members alike.
The Efficiency Award, for those displaying a commitment to ensuring we operate proficiently and efficiently by “stepping up” and “stepping in and/or suggesting ideas that result in ease of processing, and savings of time, material, and storage requirements, was presented to Mr. Mark Danielson, a 9-year town employee who serves as the Foreman in our Highway Department, a division in the Town’s Department of Public Works, having worked his way up from a Laborer position with his efficient and thorough work ethic. Amongst other comments, from the nominations were, “Mark has always gone above and beyond in his work.” and “He is creative, dedicated, knowledgeable and has made and fixed items for the Town buildings, helping out the buildings and grounds department while still maintaining his regular duties.” Town Administrator Terenzini said that “Mark has not only helped us thorough changes and gaps in management as we transitioned to a combined DPW, he has excelled and become a leader that the DPW Director can rely on.”
The Pinnacle of Excellence Award for those who display a willingness to make extraordinary efforts in the ongoing improvement of the organization, assisting other staff members or departments to complete new or ongoing assignments and often requires the person to “stretch” to learn new computer programs, methodologies or processes, was presented to Ms. Luanne Royer, the Town’s Deputy Assessor, a 20 plus year employee who has served in a variety of positions since first joining the organization. Ms. Royer, who recently earned her MAAO designation, is recognized for going above and beyond her job duties to help colleagues and residents with her excellent customer service assisting all whenever and however she can. Amongst other comments from the nominations were, “We rely on her heavily for many projects from maps to information.” and “She is the go-to and knows the town inside and out.” The Merit Awards were created in 2018 to publicly honor the finest examples of the Town’s many exemplary employees the Town is proud to have in its employ. In addition to being named publicly, the employee is honored with a Certificate of Recognition and a one-time award of $250.00.
FY20 Recipients pictured below left to right are: Luanne Royer, Mark Danielson, & Brigid Lambert
FY’2019 Recipients
The Pinnacle of Excellence designation was awarded to Mr. Bob Szocik, who began his position as DPW Director last year. Amongst other comments from the nominations were, “Through Mr. Szocik’s leadership and commitment to excellence, he has dramatically improved daily operations & processes, along with the office environment.” Bob consistently goes above and beyond to not only get the job done, but to do it extraordinarily well. He has also worked to improve communication with other departments and is respected and well-liked by his staff and colleagues. His knowledge in infrastructure improvements is second to none.
The Communications Award was presented to Ms. Jackie Prime, a 24-year town employee who serves as the Director of Community Services & Librarian at the Town’s library. Jackie has always been a dedicated employee well-liked by her colleagues & the community. Amongst other comments from the nominations were, “She is one of the longest serving employees for the town that works hard.” Jackie, among many other improvements made, has displayed a commitment to involving Town residents in their community by creating community events such as the Farmer’s Market. She initiated the calendar on the Town’s website for the public to view all of the Town-sponsored as well as local and community-sponsored events.
The Efficiency Award was presented to Mr. Eric Baker, an 11-year town employee who serves at our Police Station as dispatcher, Chief’s admin, & technology extraordinaire. Amongst other comments, “Eric has displayed a commitment to the Town in his planning, organizing, and implementing the move (including the technology, phones, computers, dispatch equipment etc.) to (and back from) its temporary home at the Baldwinville office building.” Between the two moves and his assistance to other departments, Eric constantly goes directly above and outside his role(s) responsibilities essentially making transition seamless.
FY19 Recipients pictured below left to right are: Bob Szocik, Jackie Prime & Eric Baker
FY’2018 Recipients
The Pinnacle of Excellence designation was awarded to Ms. Laurie Wiita, an 11-year town employee who serves as the Board of Health Agent and Development Services Director, who demonstrated extraordinary leadership in the ongoing improvement of town government by becoming the Director for the Office of Developments Services; the Town’s one stop shop of planning zoning, building and the like.
The Communications Award was presented to Ms. Holly Young, a 5-year town employee who serves as the Assistant to the Town Administrator, who displayed a commitment to improving transparency in local government by suggesting that the SelectBoard packets of supplemental materials as well as the meeting agenda be placed online for the public to view.
The Efficiency Award was presented to Ms. Mallory Seamon, a 4-year town employee who serves as Senior Administrative Assistant in the Development Services Office, who displayed a commitment to cross training in mission critical functions by taking on various projects outside her department regular duties such as the sale of timber of town land yielding over $18,900.05 and the willingness to “float” as needed.
FY18 Recipients pictured below left to right, are: Holly Young, Laurie Wiita, Mallory Seamon
