At the conclusion of their final Board of Selectmen meeting April 29, Selectmen Chairman Joseph Lisi and Selectman Roxanne Tieri — both of whom did not seek re-election this year — were honored and thanked by fellow board members and Town Administrator Michael Racicot for their years of dedicated service.
"This board is the best board I've ever worked with," said Racicot, after presenting small gifts to Lisi and Tieri. "This board always moved forward on the principal that people are human. I'm honored to have worked with (Lisi) and (Tieri), it's really been a pleasure. This will be a real changing of the guard."
Racicot presented Tieri with a vase bursting with flowers, but opted for a more comical gift for Lisi. Racicot gave Lisi a photograph of Betty White taken while she was in Rockport filming "The Proposal" recently with a comic-strip type caption from White that read: "Where can I meet Chairman Lisi?"
Selectman Armand Aparo called Tieri a "pillar of strength" and someone he admired.
Selectman Charles Clark described Tieri as the most honest person he'd ever met, and said he would miss both.
"With their involvement, this board has been Rockport's most congenial, productive and professional," Clark said. "I will miss them and the town will miss them."
Tieri presented the town with a poster of a painting she said should serve as a visual reminder of good government's effect on a city.
"I've seen this town blossom in the past six years," Tieri said. "If I'm a little part of that, I'm proud to be part of that."
Lisi, who spent one term on the board after serving as Rockport's superintendent, also took the opportunity to thank everyone.
"I never was a politician coming into this and I'm leaving still not a politician," he said. "I can't say enough about the diversity on this board. I couldn't be more proud of the things we've accomplished in a short period of time, and not without stress. (Racicot) was always professional and a wonderful reserve for me in difficult times."
Andrew Heinze and Ellen Canavan will be sworn in at the board's next meeting, Tuesday, May 13, at 6:45 p.m.
Committee volunteers wanted
According to Town Administrator Michael Racicot, Rockport is seeking volunteers to fill vacancies on various town committees and commissions.
The Conservation Commission seeks associate and regular members while the Historic District Commission is seeking someone who can fill the seat vacated by Selectman-elect Ellen Canavan.
Selectman-elect Andrew Heinze had served on both the Conservation Commission and newly formed Open Space and Recreation Planning Committee, until being elected selectman Tuesday.
Residents interested in the positions can contact the selectmen's office at 978-546-6786.
Motif No. 1 luring artists, bakers
The Rockport Chamber of Commerce is inviting artists to participate in this year's celebration of Motif No. 1 Days, May 17 and 18, by setting up their easels to paint the Motif and other Rockport scenes. Students, amateurs and professionals are all welcome to join in and support one of Rockport's oldest annual events, now celebrating its 60th year. To sign up, contact the Chamber office at 978-546-6575.
The Motif No. 1 Days Steering Committee is also putting out a call to all Rockport bakers, urging them to bring cookies, brownies, cupcakes, pies, muffins, cakes, Nisu and more to this year's Motif No. 1 Days community bake sale.
The chamber's Retail and Steering committees are sponsoring the bake sale and children's flower pot painting as part of this year's festivities. Both activities will take place at the Dock Square island May 17 and 18, beginning at 10 a.m. Proceeds benefit ongoing community improvement activities.
Previous Chamber-sponsored bake sales have supported Gulf Coast hurricane relief efforts, as well as the purchase of more than a dozen new trash barrels for downtown in 2006.
Nina Samoiloff, Sarah Kelly and Faith Ronan are coordinating these activities and invite everyone to join in. Anyone interested in donating baked goods is asked to call Samoiloff at 978-546-5171 or contact the Chamber at 546-6575. Donors may also drop off baked items at Dock Square any time between 9 a.m. and noon on both days.
Bakers are asked to label their items and to avoid donating any baked treats with nuts.
Quick hits
Thursday, May 15, is National Police Memorial Day. The Rockport Police Department is asking all Rockport residents, organizations and businesses to fly their American flags at half staff on that day.
Duplicate Bridge Club
Saturday, April 26: First place, Muriel Davis and Gus Lawson, 50; second, Leonie Cochiarella and Agnes MacQuade, 45 1/2; third, Bill and Cate Holloway, 45.
Tuesday, April 29: First place, Greg Hannifan and Muriel Davis, 51; second, Leonie Cochiarella and Ann Millar, 48; third, Pat Sylvia and Agnes MacQuade, 47 1/2.
Thursday, May 1: First place, Pat Sylvia and Muriel Davis, 51 1/2; second, Greg Hannifan and Gus Lawson, 48; third, Molly Foster and Connie Effel, 46 1/2.
Saturday, May 3: First place, Lester Stockman and Pat Sylvia, 35; second (tie) Gus Lawson and Muriel Davis, Leonie Cochiarella and Agnes MacQuade, Molly Foster and Ann Millar, 31.
Tuesday, May 6: First place, Pat Sylvia and Agnes MacQuade, 47 1/2; second, Maureen Sheehan and Virginia Widmer, 47; third, Muriel Davis and Greg Hannifan, 45 1/2.
Thursday, May 8: First place, Marjorie Baker and Elaine Luongo, 48 1/2; second, Bill and Cate Holloway, 47 1/2; third, Barbara Beyea and Muriel Davis, 47.
People interested in joining the Duplicate Bridge Club can contact Davis at 978-546-7386. Davis said people do not need a background the duplicate scoring format in order to join.
Rockport Ramblings is compiled each week by reporter Jonathan L'Ecuyer. If you have an item for Ramblings, call L'Ecuyer at 978-283-7000, ext. 3451, or e-mail jlecuyer@ecnnews.com.
