ROCKLAND — Knox County Commissioners Roger Moody, Carol Maines and Rick Parent Jr,. along with County Administrator Andrew Hart and Human Resources Representative Laurie Bouchard, Monday recognized county employees for five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 35 years of service. In all, 65 employees received recognition for their tenure.

The ceremonies took place in the Knox Commissioners chambers in the County Court House at noon, March 16, and then again at the Knox County Regional Communications Center building at 5:30 p.m.

During both ceremonies, Hart and Bouchard presented certificates, coffee mugs, pins, paperweights and sweatshirts to the recipients as they passed before the commissioners for a handshake and a thank-you.

The two ceremonies, at the two locations, took place to accommodate the work schedules of the employees; still a number were still not able to attend. Those employees will receive their recognition from their supervisors.

Moody, chairman of the Knox County Commission, said that recognizing long-term employees was something the county did a long time ago, but that the practice had lapsed.

“I think it’s good to have the opportunity again to recognize their service to the community and to the county,” he said. “As commissioners, we are very pleased to be here.”

Two employees, Elaine Hallett, register of probate, and William O’Brien, airport maintenance supervisor, were recognized for 35 and 28 years of service, respectively. Moody said 35 years in any institution is remarkable. 

“We have quality employees,” he said. “Thirty-five years is remarkable and we are very lucky to have them. We appreciate our employees. We think they give great public service and high-quality responses. We are very lucky to have them on as crew.”

County Administrator Andrew Hart said the idea was first promoted to him by Stephanie Laite, who works in the District Attorney’s office.

“I discussed it with Lauri Bouchard,” he said. “From there it went to committee for discussion and we put together this program. The two employees that received 35-year pins, that’s quite a commitment to the county. They should be very proud of that.”

Hart said future recognitions for service will take place during the regular commissioners’ meetings. They were playing catch-up and wanted to recognize everyone in front of their peers.

Cindy Gardner, a 26-year employee, said it was exciting to watch all the changes that have taken place during her time with the county. 

“It’s terrific,” she said. “I started out a long time ago and now we’re in a different building, totally. I love it. It’s nice to watch us grow.”

Gardner now does programs and services for the jail, but it didn’t start that way 25 years ago. 

“I was a corrections officer and every time a job opened up, I applied for it, so 26 years later here I am,” she said.