For release March 20, 2018
For further information:
Eric Kneeland
508-799-7169
The Worcester Regional Research Bureau is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2019 Thomas S. Green Public Service Awards. The Green Awards publicly recognize the efforts of individuals exhibiting the following characteristics:
- exceptional competence and efficient handling of all assigned responsibilities;
- enthusiastic performance of tasks above and beyond the call of duty;
- cooperative, helpful, and friendly attitude toward the public and fellow employees; and
- community involvement outside the scope of job-related responsibilities.
This year, The Research Bureau honors four employees from across the region who have made outstanding contributions to public service. The Research Bureau’s Award Committee, composed of representatives from diverse community organizations, selected the recipients from nominees submitted by the public.
Thomas Barrett, Worcester Public Schools
- Mr. Barrett is the Coordinator of Buildings & Grounds for Worcester Public Schools. He and his team are responsible for the maintenance of 63 buildings and 3.6 million square feet. Tom is always on the job, “the call for service can come at any time and Tom never steps away from the challenge.” His dedication to the Schools is evident from the praise of his nominators
Nicole Cooney, Worcester Department of Public Works & Parks
- Ms. Cooney is the Finance Manager for the DPW&P, overseeing payroll, accounts payable, and accounting. She has been a key member of the department for many years. Colleagues often line up at her desk to benefit from her wealth of experience and knowledge. Nicole is “the kind of employee every city or town hopes to have.”
Michael Daigneault, Worcester Department of Public Works & Parks
- Mr. Daigneault is the Assistant Director of Water for the Water Division of the DPW&P. Mike has been with the City for 36 years and has “the same level of commitment today that he had back in 1983.” Mike’s passion for the water system is clear, leading major infrastructure rehabilitation and improvement projects, incorporating new approaches and technologies, ensuring that Worcester always has clean drinking water.
Adam Furno, Douglas Highway Department
- Mr. Furno’s primary title is Working Foreman in the Highway Department but he has taken on many roles for the Town. Adam also works in Building & Facilities Maintenance and is involved in every aspect of maintaining and improving Town buildings from major repairs to fixing leaks. He is a trained call fire-fighter and EMT, often a first responder at an incident. Adam “has had an enormous positive impact on the municipality.”
Ellen Ganley, Chair of the Thomas S. Green Public Service Awards Committee, said “It is my pleasure to serve as the Chair of the Thomas S. Green Public Service Awards Committee. Each year, the Thomas Green Award celebrates the unsung heroes of municipal governments. This year’s recipients have dedicated their careers to public service and are the perfect representation of the ideals of this prestigious award.”
The Award is named in memory of Thomas S. Green, a founder of The Research Bureau and one of its original Directors. Mr. Green was a civic leader for many decades and a Vice President of Norton Company (now Saint-Gobain). This is the thirty-first annual Green Awards presentation, which has honored 119 public servants over the past three decades.
The Awards ceremony will take place at Assumption College in Worcester on Thursday, April 25, at 5:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. A reception in honor of the recipients will follow. RSVP to 508-799-7169 or via email to .
The Research Bureau, founded in 1985, serves the public interest of Greater Worcester by conducting independent, non-partisan research and analysis of public policy issues to promote informed public debate and decision-making. For more information see www.wrrb.org, Facebook (The Research Bureau), and Twitter (@WRRBureau).