Dedication
T. RICHARD LATHAM
Plaistow is a Town that prides itself on being a great community to call home. It is a community that celebrates with each other and assists each other in times of need. The small town atmosphere that is cherished by so many still lingers in Plaistow because of gentlemen like T. Richard “Dick” Latham. He exemplifies the spirit of this community.
Dick is a person that volunteers for events both large and small. He has served as a member of the Budget Committee, Master Plan Committee, Town Hall Renovation Committee Old Home Day Committee and Safety Complex Expansion Committee. He is a volunteer fireman, and served as the Fire Chief from 1972 through 1976.
In 1983, Dick helped select a site and acquire land for the current Public Safety Complex. He was a driving force that helped bring police, fire, emergency and rescue departments under one roof. He currently serves on a committee doing long range planning on improving the future service of the safety complex.
Dick has been active in developing and implementing plans for the extension of the Town waterline. He has worked closely with the Water Department and the Fire Chief to enhance the plans. Dick has also been involved in community cable shows educating the public on waterline issues. He continues to be a great resource for the Town about the history and operations of the system.
When the Town celebrated its 225th Anniversary, he was on the Fireworks and First Aid Committees. During the preparations for the event, Dick chaired a committee that was appointed to study parking for the events that spanned several days. There was much concern on handling the mass volume of traffic this event would generate. Dick developed a plan to utilize town owned land as a temporary parking lot and worked with the police, fire and highway departments to determine what safety precautions would be needed. The plan was such a success that it is used every year during special events for the Town.
Dick worked for many years with the Old Home Day Committee, as safety consultant for the event. As if this was not responsibility enough, Dick also was a liaison to the Lions club and assisted in organizing their parade for the day. He also built a ramp to install into the viewing stand to make it accessible to all.
Not only has Dick volunteered for Town sponsored events, he is an active member of the Plaistow First Baptist Church. He has installed an accessible bathroom and worked on completely remodeling the kitchen of the church. He was a driving force behind insulation being installed in the Sanctuary ceiling. He cleaned the belfry and steeple of the church and thanks to Dick, the church bells can be heard ringing through Town. He is always available for the pre-school nursery or kindergarten whenever a problem may develop. During the summer months you can find Dick dishing out the ice cream at the weekly social.
Plaistow is fortunate to have Dick as a resident. He is a man that exemplifies volunteerism. He is thoughtful, hard working, generous, open minded, caring, responsible and an asset to every project he is involved in. Dick Latham has touched the lives of many people in Plaistow without them ever knowing it. He is the gracious, hard-working man behind the scenes and always available for another set of hands, sage advice or a different perspective. We believe it is time Dick stands in the spotlight and that is why the Board of Selectmen is pleased to dedicate the 2007 Plaistow Annual Town Report to T. Richard Latham.
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