BURRILLVILLE – A former town employee and longtime volunteer with the Conservation Commission was recognized by the Town Council earlier this month for his years of service to the community.
Kevin Cleary held the role of town engineer from 2004 to 2007, and spent more than 16 years volunteering on the Burrillville Conservation Commission, serving as chairman several times throughout his tenure.
Cleary recently resigned from the commission and councilors thanked him for his service, time and talent with a citation.
During his years of service, Cleary, along with fellow commission member Richard Dionne, has worked to maintain the Joseph Brock Blanchard Memorial Management Area off of Round Top Road, documenting a botanical hike along the forest. He also served on the town’s Storm Water Management Steering Committee in 2002.
“Kevin Cleary played a key role in protecting and preserving the tranquility and the natural resources, features and attributes that have defined the town of Burrillville for over 200 years,” noted the citation, presented by councilors on Wednesday, Feb. 13.
Cleary’s group also adopted the Gateway Project, a long-term plan to beautify a once blighted area along Broncos Highway adjacent to the intersection of Route 102, and Inman and Nasonville Roads.
“He was instrumental with helping us out with mapping of our borders,” said Councilor Stephen Rawson.
“Hopefully he’ll make an example to other people in town,” said Rawson. “Give something back to your community. Kevin was a prime example of that.”
“Kevin Cleary and other Conservation Commission members are well-known for rolling up their sleeves when needed, designing and building the Clear River Canoe Watch on Clear River Drive in Mapleville, and maintaining the Wallum Lake Canoe watch,” noted the citation.
A civil engineer by trade, Cleary’s expertise was instrumental to work accomplished over the years by the commission, according to Dionne.
“I’ve worked with a lot of people on the Conservation Commission over almost 30 years,” said Dionne. “Kevin brought a skill set that will be hard to match with anybody that’s trying to replace him.”
