Saugus selectmen celebrate the career of Frank McKinnon – a town government icon

By Mark E. Vogler

The Board of Selectmen, fellow Conservation Commission members and family members gathered in the second floor auditorium at Town Hall last Wednesday night (June 11) for a special tribute to retiring Conservation Officer Frank McKinnon. The selectmen’s presentation of a “Citation in Recognition of Frank McKinnon’s Service to the Town of Saugus” was the top item on the board’s agenda and drew the most attention of all the business that was transacted at the meeting. The commendation selectmen presented to McKinnon cited “34 years of exceptional service to the Town of Saugus as conservation officer and 42 years as a dedicated member of the Conservation Commission.”

“He goes over and above each and every day to help our community to do the right thing. And conservation is of the utmost importance,” Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta said. “He is here tonight and the board has a citation that it would like to present to him upon his retirement.”

Panetta then invited McKinnon up to the speaker’s lectern as each of her four board colleagues and the town manager offered personal tributes to a Saugonian who did so much as a town employee and a volunteer:

  Selectman Corinne Riley: “I just want to congratulate you and thank you for everything you’ve done for this town and just take it easy and do every minute of your retirement and enjoy it. So, thank you again for everything, and you’ve done a lot.”

  Selectman Michael Serino: “Frank and I served on the Conservation Commission about four years back in the early 90s and it was always a pleasure to see Frank. I’d always stop by the office, just to chat with him in the morning. And I was at his ‘semi-retirement party’ at Town Hall two weeks ago. He reminded me five times that he’s not going anywhere and that he’s not retiring. But Frank, it was always great working with you. We had a lot of fun together. I’ll be seeing you around, anyhow. Thank you.”

  Selectman Anthony Cogliano: “Frank, I’ve known you a long time, and what an outstanding gentleman you are. It’s been a pleasure to work with you. I think every single time I’ve ever called you, you answered that phone immediately. And you’re just a great guy and a huge asset to the town, and I’m sure you won’t be going anywhere. So, thank you for all you have done.”

  Board of Selectman Vice Chair Jeffrey Cicolini: “I think I’ve known you my entire life. I know you served many years with my dad on Conservation. I grew up going out to site visits and seeing you going through the motions. Let me tell you, you have definitely set the bar quite high, my friend, and you’re going to leave some big shoes to fill for whomever tries to take on that task after you. To get somebody to give over 40 years as a service to a community, you don’t see that anymore. And your generation was definitely special and you’re one of the ones that comes to mind when anyone thinks about the people that have given so much to our community. I appreciate you and all you have done, and I look forward to you sticking around because your knowledge and know-how is going to be a valuable resource to whomever steps in, going forward. Thank you.”

  Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree: “Frank, I just want to say that the town, myself are so grateful for all the years of service that you’ve put in and volunteered and dedicated to your, really, second career and plus that to the Town of Saugus. We’re really honored to have you serve the Town of Saugus in the way you have. You’re always there. You’re always accessible and always there to help and give guidance to everybody. We’re glad you’re sticking around in some capacity. So, thank you very much. And we’re so grateful that we’ve had you here for this long.”

After the town manager and every selectman finished heaping high praise on McKinnon, he offered a few words of appreciation. “I really enjoyed all my years here in Saugus,” McKinnon said.

“And when I had to go out if someone was doing something wrong, I’d say, ‘Hey, if I was involved in the town, I’d probably be doing what you’re doing.. But you gotta stop and now you got to do an order of conditions,’” he said. “I always treated people with respect because you don’t get anywhere by yelling and screaming at people. You know? But I’ve enjoyed all my years here in Saugus. And I’ve been involved in every subdivision they ever had. It’s been a pleasure, really.”