Several of the City’s many outstanding employees received special recognition last Friday – a product of Milton’s first ever Core Value awards celebrating excellence within the government.

Citizens as well as fellow City employees nominated more than two dozen individuals for going above-and-beyond for our community and their fellow public servants. An internal group of six individuals from all levels and branches of government -- two from Milton Police, two from Milton Fire-Rescue, and two from City Hall – then decided on the ultimate award winners. Each one corresponded to one of the five “core values” outlined in Milton’s Strategic Plan.

The recipients are:

• Police Sgt. Seth Chaffee won an “Ownership” award for taking initiative in coordinating the City’s response to school shootings – including conducting meaningful conversations with school leaders as well as disseminating critical information so that Police and Fire were well-informed and on the same page.

 

• Jackie Lim, a Planner with Milton’s Community Development Department, was also recognized for ownership – in her case for her work on helping pull together the City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Former CPAC Chair Todd Chernik lauded Lim for having “gracefully, professionally and ably stepped in the organize and … prepare the new standard of excellence.”

 

• Fire Capt. Andrew Kennedy earned a “Service” award for being someone who consistently and earnestly steps up whenever called upon. Currently involved in Fire logistics and serving as Deputy Fire Marshal, Kennedy was described as a “workhorse (who) is ready and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.”

 

• Lisa Farr is the first person many encounter when coming into the City Hall, manning the Finance Department window. Reliably upbeat and smiling, Farr took home an honor for “Service” for her knowledge, kindness, compassion, and generally going the extra mile for not only citizens but her fellow City employees.

 

• Another member of the Finance Department, Honor Motes, was recognized for “Teamwork” as someone who works diligently, smartly and with seemingly limitless patience with members of every City department on matters related to procurement, budgets and more.

• Milton’s first ever “Leadership” award went to Community Development Director Bob Buscemi, also the City’s lead in the construction of City Hall, Public Safety Complex, and other buildings. Two citizen nominators commended Buscemi for his clear vision and passion for Milton, with one saying he “truly cares about Milton’s look and feel” and another describing him as the “ultimate public servant.”

• The “Rural Heritage” honor went to Parks and Recreation Director Tom McKlveen. McKlveen (in partnership with Matt Fallstrom, Sara Leaders and Josh Rogers on the Public Works’ team) had led efforts to drastically expand the amount of usable natural park space in Milton, with the Lackey Road greenspace, first trail at Milton City Park and Preserve, and Freemanville-Birmingham greenspace opening up in the last year alone.

The awards were given out the evening of September 16 at Milton City Park and Preserve as part of a Family Fun Day for City employees and their loved ones. In addition to the brief ceremony, attendees had the opportunity to swim in the City Pool, walk the property’s trail, play lawn games like cornhole, compete in pickleball, eat dinner and – best of all – enjoy one another’s company in a fun, relaxed environment.

The City plans to continue recognizing outstanding employees at future award ceremonies, as well as with regular posts on its social media feeds. If you know a City employee who goes above-and-beyond for our community, nominate them now at https://www.miltonga.gov/i-want-to/honor-a-city-employee/.