By Debbie LaPlaca
Telegram & Gazette
CHARLTON — The town of Charlton has been recognized by the Tri-Community Exchange Club and state Rep. Peter J. Durant, R-Spencer, for the actions of its government officials, emergency responders and volunteers in the wake of last June’s tornado.
Karl Kranz, representing the Tri-Community Exchange, presented an award and Mr. Durant presented a citation at a selectmen’s meeting June 12.
The Tri-Community Exchange is part of a national organization. It recognizes safety officials who go above and beyond the call of duty. Typically, Mr. Kranz said, the annual award recipients are nominated by department chiefs, but this year, the entire town of Charlton was nominated and selected.
“The exchange club takes the time and money to recognize people for good works. It’s for everybody, for all that we went through over the last year,” Chief Pervier said to selectmen.
In presenting a Statehouse citation, Mr. Durant noted the tornado struck on his first day in office - June 1, 2011.
“The amount of work that came together in a very short amount of time was impressive,” he said.
Mr. Durant also presented a citation to Police Sgt. Keith R. Cloutier for his work in establishing a rescue dive team.
Selectman Brent W. Sellew, who was also new to office last June, said, “I was impressed, and I am very proud to live in this community. It was a good time to see neighbor helping neighbor.”
Charlton Police Chief James A. Pervier and Fire Chief Charles E. Cloutier Jr. attended the Tri-Community Exchange Club’s annual Public Safety Recognition Night on May 30 in Southbridge.
Officials from Southbridge, Sturbridge and the Massachusetts State Police also received recognition from the club and citations from Mr. Durant and state Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge.
Copyright 2012 Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Inc.
All Rights Reserved