Above: A 1939 photo of the RTM.
Bellow: Lt. Gov. Michael Fidele speaks with Joan caldwell, who was honored as the longest serving member of the RTM. Caldwell has served 42 years on the RTM. The 75th Anniversary Celelbration was celelbrated at Greenwich High School student center.
(Helen Neafsey/Greenwich Time staff photo)
During her first call at an RTM meeting in 1965, Joan Caldwell consolidated a bond issue, approved a new elevator and appointed nominees to different boards and commissions, and then it was over.
Imagining a more a contentious and interesting discussion, she was somewhat disappointed.
"I thought I will never last," she said.
"I thought I will never last," she said.
But not long after, the Representative Town Meeting would be embroiled in an important debate over whether to build a new high school on Hillside Road. And as the longest continuously serving member of the RTM, Caldwell has been involved in many important votes, and seen the town change from a small upcountry town to what it is today, she said....
...The RTM, a nonpartisan organization, which deals with issues ranging from capital expenditures to municipal budgets and labor contracts, was first instituted in March 1933. For more than 200 years, then Greenwich had the traditional form of government, the town meeting, where anyone could vote on an issue. But as the town grew, it became progressively more difficult, and the RTM was proposed and instituted, according to David R. Tobin, state of Connecticut Superior Court Judge and former RTM moderator....
....But Tobin remembered the beloved Greenwich resident Josephine Evaristo, who served on the RTM for 41 years. At most meetings, Evaristo would raise her hand to talk about the transgressions of Greenwich Republicans and to discuss the possibility of relocating the transfer station and the dump, from her district in Chickahominy into the backcountry, where coincidentally many of the town Republicans lived....
....RTM moderator, Tom Byrne also spoke, making jokes about the many names of residents who have served including the Knights, Bishops and Kings.
"We've had them all," he said.
"We've had them all," he said.
Since its inception, more than 2450 residents have served on the RTM, with an average of 6.7 years per term.
During the ceremony, First Selectman Peter Tesei, a former RTM member, read a proclamation congratulating the RTM for its service and the longevity of the institution.
Tesei also recalled when he first joined the RTM that a former first selectman told him it will be one of the best experiences of his lifetime.....
...Also at the event Rep. Dolly Powers and Rep. Livvy Floren read a citation from Hartford, recognizing the RTM for its service
"This is an outstanding milestone," Powers said.
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1 comment:
I was privileged to be a part of the 25th Aniversary Celebration of Harvest Time Church this past weekend. It was an amazing experience. I was blessed to see the old timers and newcomers together for one purpose. That purpose was to thank God for his faithfulness over the past 25 years. After witnessing all the testimonies, you can only say that definitely the hand of God is upon these people and this region. What a wonderful place to worship God with your family. There is something for everyone there. Visit and experience God at work! Looking at the faces of children and parents shows that this church is not like many. Blessings and prayers for many more years of spiritual success, Harvest Time!
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