LYNNFIELD — Tony Tropeano and Kirk Mansfield are this year’s recipients of the Daniel Townsend Award for Excellence.
The award honors the memory of Townsend, who was killed at the Battle of Lexington in 1775. Townsend was the first Lynnfield resident to be killed in the Revolutionary War. Select Board Chair Dick Dalton said the award recognizes “exemplary dedication and commitment to the Town of Lynnfield.” He said a number of people were nominated, but “the board had two individuals we thought were deserving recipients.”
Select Board Vice Chair Phil Crawford presented the award to Mansfield at Town Meeting.
“To say he is dedicated and passionate about our town is an understatement,” Crawford said.
Mansfield said, “I didn’t expect this. It’s my privilege because Lynnfield means a lot to me which is why I am very dedicated to it.”
Simply put, Mansfield is everywhere when it comes to rolling up his sleeves and getting to work. He is chair of the Lynnfield Historical Commission, vice-chair of the Conservation Commission, and is a founding member and clerk of Historic Lynnfield, Inc. He founded the Conservation Commission’s Pillings Pond subcommittee and is a former member of the Historical Society and the town’s Tree Committee.
Mansfield was nominated by Conservation Commission Chair Don Gentile and Karen Nascembeni, Historic Lynnfield vice chair.
“I can speak firsthand of Kirk’s dedication, devotion of time, and professionalism when dealing with his fellow commissioners, applicants, and the public,” Gentile said. “I have seen him go above and beyond on numerous occasions, committing his free time and juggling his professional commitments order to further the business of the commission.”
Gentile said Mansfield worked tirelessly “to inform residents of historical sites and buildings around town.” He cited Mansfield’s commitment to the abutters of Pillings Pond and willingness to answer questions and provide accurate information on a wide variety of topics.”
Nascembeni said Mansfield’s “passion for the preservation of history in our town is exemplary,” and under Mansfield’s leadership and management of the Meeting House, the town has brought in more than $40,000 in rental revenue. She credited him with taking the lead on the new signage project marking historic and significant landmarks and working with State Rep. Bradley Jones, Jr. to secure $25,000 for the restoration of historic cemeteries.
“He was also responsible for putting the history back into the Meeting House,” Nascembeni said.
Nascembeni highlighted Mansfield’s work with Historic Lynnfield at the annual Country Store and the Fall Festival. Working with the Lynnfield Tree Committee, Mansfield helped add four new trees on the common and working with Lynnfield Rotary, he helped raise more than $9,000 to fund a bench on the common in memory of beloved pharmacist Brian Ambrefe. Nascembeni noted Mansfield also helped secure a $50,000 grant for a Pillings Pond study.
“I can’t offer enough admiration or praise for Kirk’s tireless dedication to our town,” Nascembeni said. “His passion for working collaboratively with organizations through the town to work together toward the common good is incredible. Kirk is the epitome of exemplifying excellence in volunteerism.”
Tropeano, who received his award at the Veterans Day observance and Veterans Memorial dedication, was nominated by former Select Board member and War Memorial Committee Chair, Ret. Col. Joe Connell, a 30-year veteran. He said the nomination recognizes Tropeano’s “outstanding volunteerism and time dedicated to the new Lynnfield Veterans Memorial.”
Dalton said Tropeano “demonstrated remarkable insight and expertise, dedicating hours to ensure that this memorial would be like no other in the state. It is only fitting that the Townsend Award – named after perhaps the most distinguished veteran in this town’s history – is awarded to an individual who has contributed so much to this monument.”
Connell cited Tropeano’s guidance advising the committee on stone veneer products to find the one that “fit the Lynnfield character” and Tropeano and his team worked to install six service crests and town seal at no cost.
Connell said Tropeano’s contributions didn’t end there. He assisted the committee with mounting the “All Gave Some, Some Gave All” bronze plaque to the granite pedestal at the front of the memorial. He donated the granite post and time to install it as well as mount the plate at the entrance to the memorial that tells the story of the meaning of the memorial. He was also responsible for locating veterans’ families who purchased plates for benches and the pedestal on the memorial, an expenditure of some $30,000.
“Tony has been monumental in making this memorial the best that it could be,” Connell said. “Tony’s insights on the project made this site second to none. I sincerely believe that Tony has made a significant difference in this community that will last forever.”
Mansfield was recognized Nov. 13 during the Town Meeting at the middle school, while Tropeano was recognized at the Veteran’s Day observance and dedication of the new Veterans Memorial.
