Jim Smith honored with Margaret Grazis Citizen of the Year Award in Athol

ATHOL – For the 31^st year, a resident’s dedication to community was recognized with the Margaret Grazis Citizen of the Year Award.

Given at the June 8 Annual Town Meeting, the award was presented to Jim Smith, citing his many years of service to the town, both in an official capacity on many committees, and by being a good neighbor.

In introducing Smith, Selectboard Chair Bill Chiasson said they had received numerous letters nominating him for this year’s award. Each letter, he said, highlighted the many ways he positively impacted the town through public service and acts of kindness.

Each nomination, said Chiasson, “shared a common theme; the unwavering dedication to helping others and making Athol a better place to live.”

Chiasson read from one letter of nomination, which lauded Smith “for decades of service on numerous committees where his thoughtful leadership, pragmatism, and deep commitment to the town’s future has made a lasting and measurable impact.”

Another letter stated, “We feel Athol is very lucky to have such a dedicated, caring, compassionate volunteer. (Smith) is a hardworking, good person who takes his responsibilities very seriously. He has stepped up when needed without hesitation.”

The most heartfelt nomination came from a neighbor of Smith’s.

“Before my husband passed away in February, (Smith) was our salvation when my husband became ill,” the letter read. “He is our neighbor and the first person knocking on our door asking, ‘How can I help?’ My husband relaxed knowing (Jim) would be watching over me, and I felt relief knowing my husband was not worried about me.”

Noting that, over the winter, Smith plowed and shoveled their driveway, retrieved mail, and took out the trash, the writer added, “Who wouldn’t want a neighbor like that?”

Smith chairs the town’s Capital Program Committee and Conservation Commission. He also serves on the Fire Department Staffing and Facilities Committee and Master Plan Committee. He has also volunteered his time for the Pleasant Street School Reuse and Disposition Committee and the Underutilized Town Buildings Review Committee.

“And those are just the committees he’s served on, in addition to all of the other stuff he does helping neighbors,” said Chiasson. “We are sincerely grateful for all you have done to make Athol a better place to live, work and thrive.”

With much of his family looking on from the balcony in Memorial Hall as he accepted the award, Smith said, “I couldn’t do all this without all the committee members of the committees I’m on and the volunteers – volunteerism is huge. If you want to be involved, get involved. Volunteerism plays a very important role here in Athol. It keeps the ball rolling, keeps everything moving.

“The town’s management here, and finance, and town departments,” he continued, “are second to none. There’s no other town around here who can hold a candle to them.”

Smith, who was born and raised in Athol, said “I could not ever think of a better place to raise my family. I’ve raised my kids here, my grandchildren.”

With his 93-year-old mother watching, Smith closed by saying, “My dad, when he retired, said, ‘There’s a plaque in the park that says, ‘Richard H. Smith, principal of Athol High School and I’m damn proud of it.’ Well, I’m Jim Smith, resident of Athol, and I’m damn proud of it.”