Tony Tropeano and Kirk Mansfield are this year’s recipients of the Daniel Townsend Award for Excellence.
Select Board Chair Dick Dalton said the award recognizes “exemplary dedication and commitment to the Town of Lynnfield.” He said a number of people were nominated, but “the board had two individuals we thought were deserving recipients.”
Board member Phil Crawford presented the award to Mansfield at the Town Meeting.
“To say he is dedicated and passionate about our town is an understatement,” Crawford said.
Mansfield said, “I didn’t expect this. It’s my privilege because Lynnfield means a lot to me which is why I am very dedicated to it.”
Simply put, Mansfield is everywhere when it comes to rolling up his sleeves and getting to work. He serves as chair of the Lynnfield Historical Commission, vice-chair of the Conservation Commission, and is a founding member and clerk of Historic Lynnfield, Inc. He founded the Conservation Commission’s Pillings Pond subcommittee and is a former member of the Historical Society and the town’s Tree Committee.
Mansfield was nominated by Conservation Commission Chair Don Gentile and Karen Nascembeni, the vice chair of Historic Lynnfield, Inc.
“I can speak firsthand of Kirk’s dedication, devotion of time, and professionalism when dealing with his fellow commissioners, applicants, and the public,” Gentile said. “I have seen him go above and beyond on numerous occasions, committing his free time and juggling his professional commitments to further the business of the commission.”
Gentile said Mansfield has been involved in several other town initiatives, including the Historical Commission where his “extensive work” includes “his tireless efforts to inform residents of historical sites and buildings around town, and his commitment to the abutters of Pillings Pond and willingness to answer questions and provide accurate information on a wide variety of topics. Gentile said Mansfield was also instrumental at the Fall Festival, “again spending his time ensuring that things were running smoothly for the benefit of all.”
Nascembeni said Mansfield’s “passion for the preservation of history in our town is exemplary” and that Mansfield is responsible for all aspects of Meeting House rentals, “working side by side with the town on finances.” Nascembeni said that under his leadership, Mansfield has brought in more than $40,000 in revenue.
“He was also responsible for putting the history back into the meeting house with approximately 50 photos and memorabilia depicting the history of Lynnfield,” Nascembeni added.
She credited him with completion of the installation of new signage marking historic and significant landmarks in Lynnfield and also worked with Rep. Bradley H. Jones Jr. to secure $25,000 for the restoration of the town’s historic cemeteries.
Nascembeni highlighted Mansfield’s work with Historic Lynnfield at the annual Country Store and the Fall Festival. Working with the Lynnfield Tree Committee, Mansfield helped add four new trees on the common, and, working with Lynnfield Rotary, he helped raise more than $9,000 to fund a bench on the common in memory of beloved pharmacist Brian Ambrefe.
“The proceeds will continue to beautify the common for years to come,” Nascembeni said.
Nascembeni noted that Mansfield also helped secure a $50,000 grant for a Pillings Pond study.
“I can’t offer enough admiration or praise for Kirk’s tireless dedication to our town,” Nascembeni said. “His passion for working collaboratively with organizations through the town to work together toward the common good is incredible. Kirk is the epitome of exemplifying excellence in volunteerism.”
Tropeano was nominated by former Select Board member and War Memorial Committee Chair, Ret. Col. Joe Connell. Connell, who spent 30 years in the military, said it was his “great pleasure to nominate a dear friend of mine.” Connell said the nomination was in recognition of Tropeano’s “outstanding volunteerism and dedicated time to the new Lynnfield Veterans Memorial.
Dalton said Tropeano “demonstrated remarkable insight and expertise, dedicating hours to ensure that this memorial would be like no other in the state. It is only fitting that the Townsend Award – named after perhaps the most distinguished veteran in this town’s history – is awarded to an individual who has contributed so much to this monument.”
Connell cited Tropeano’s guidance advising the committee on stone veneer products to find the one that “fit the Lynnfield character was exactly what (the committee) needed to to make the right decision.”
“Tony and his team volunteered and dedicated his entire company to put the veneer on the face of the memorial for a three-week period,” Connell said, adding that in addition to putting the stone veneer on the memorial, Tropeano and his team attached the six service crests and the Lynnfield town seal at no cost.
Connell said Tropeano’s contributions didn’t end there. He assisted the committee with mounting the “All Gave Some, Some Gave All” bronze plaque to the granite pedestal at the front of the memorial. He also donated the granite post, and his time to install and mount the plate at the entrance to the memorial, which explains the meaning of the memorial. He was also responsible for finding the veterans’ families who purchased plates for the four benches and pedestal on the memorial, an expenditure of some $30,000.
“Tony has been monumental in making this memorial the best that it could be,” Connell said. “Tony’s insights on the project made this site second to none. It has already become a center of attention and I sincerely believe that Tony has made a significant difference in this community that will last forever.”
The award honors the memory of Townsend, who was killed at the Battle of Lexington in 1775. Townsend was the first Lynnfield resident to be killed in the Revolutionary War.
Mansfield was recognized last Wednesday at the Town Meeting at Lynnfield Middle School, while Tropeano was recognized at the Veteran’s Day observance and dedication of the new Veterans Memorial.
