MARBLEHEAD — After nearly two decades serving on the town’s Select Board, Jim Nye was honored by his fellow members and others in the community at his last regular meeting with the board prior to the June 11 election.
Earlier this year, Nye announced he would not be running for reelection after serving on the board for 19 years.
“You’ve just given so much to this community. Marblehead is such a better place because of you,” Select Board Chair Erin Noonan said. “You’ve been quite an asset to the town.”
Board member Alexa Singer reminisced about speaking with Nye before she first ran for a spot on the board, mentioning that she has learned a lot from Nye over the three years she has worked with him.
“You’ve been so valued, and just (had) a level of professionalism and decorum that really carries in being supportive, so thank you,” Singer said. “It’s been an honor.”
Fellow Board member Bret Murray, who has now worked with Nye for two separate stints on the Select Board, added on to Singer’s comments.
“I’m impressed with how much you give back to this town,” Murray said.
The Select Board then opened up the meeting for anyone in the crowd of roughly a dozen who wished to say a few words about Nye.
Prior to former Select Board member Jackie Belf-Becker taking the microphone, Nye joked, “This isn’t like a Brady roast, right?” with a wide grin on his face as the Selectmen’s Room in Abbot Hall burst into laughter.
A number of friends, co-workers, and other town officials and employees offered their thanks and well wishes to Nye as well.
Nye took a moment to recognize his mother, Suzanne, and his two daughters, who were in attendance. He thanked his mother for allowing him to become a part of Marblehead.
“My mom and dad came to Marblehead right after their honeymoon through General Electric and never left,” Nye said. “My brothers and sisters and I were all born at Mary Alley, so thank you for bringing us to this beautiful town.”
