PHILLIPSTON — A brother and sister were honored Sunday with the Alphonse Chartier Jr. Award for Public Service for their selfless work in the community.
Paula Haley and Timothy Haley received the honor at Sunday’s Memory Tree celebration that drew some 40 people to the Common, despite raw New England weather and a late afternoon Patriots game.
After the lighting of the tree, the crowd made its way to the historic Phillipston Congregational Church for the reading of the names of those whose lives were remembered, as well as those still alive whose lives were celebrated. The names were read by state Sen. Anne Gobi and state Rep. Susannah Whipps.
Then it was time for the awarding of the Chartier Award. In a departure from years past, there were two honorees instead of a single recipient.
“The most important thing to know about the Alphonse Chartier Award,” said Stephanie Flynn, of the Citizen of the Year Committee, “is that it is for public service; primarily for volunteers. So, whoever is given this award has given much of their time and of their talent. So many previous recipients are in this room and we give credit to all of you. And every year it’s a really hard decision because there are so many people that give of their time and their talents.”
Flynn then announced the first of the two recipients — Paula Haley.
“Paula just does so much for the community,” Flynn said. “She greatly deserves to be recognized.”
Flynn first recognized Haley for her work in the church, citing a number of committees on which Haley serves.
“She was also in charge of the church bazaar,” Flynn continued, “and was in charge of the barbecue out here on the common for years. And she runs the Harvest Supper every late October or early November.”
Haley also serves as chair of Phillipston’s Council on Aging.
“I think we can’t highlight enough what Paula does for the seniors of this community,” said Flynn.
Nancey MacEwen then announced the name of the evening’s second recipient of the award — Timothy Haley.
MacEwen went through a long list of municipal boards and committees on which Haley has served over the years, including Finance Committee, Council on Aging, and Conservation Commission. He also served as Town Moderator. In addition, he has served on the Executive Committee of the Congregational Church.
Each of the Haleys was presented with a House and Senate resolution, presented by Gobi and Whipps, congratulating them for being recognized as Alphonse Chartier, Sr. Public Service Award recipients.