ECHPC honors four with Lifetime Achievement awards

Courtesy photos

The Eastford Conservation and Historic Preservation Commission with the four Lifetime Achievement awardees.

The Eastford Conservation and Historic Preservation Commission presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to, from left, Mary Ellen Ellsworth, Deb Lee, Tom DeJohn, and Ralph Yulo.

EASTFORD — Four members of the Eastford Conservation and Historic Preservation Commission (ECHPC) were presented with Lifetime Achievement awards on Dec. 3, 2024, at the group’s monthly meeting. The four were honored for their more than 20 years of continuous membership on the commission, since its founding in 2001. The awardees were Mary Ellen Ellsworth, Ralph Yulo, Deb Lee, and Tom DeJohn.

The ceremony was attended by Eastford First Selectman Deb Richards, the commission’s original chairman, Steve Broderick, and the awardees’ friends and family. Speakers at the event noted that each of the awardees had shown themselves over many years of service to be selfless, reliable, persistent and cooperative members who wanted to make a difference for their town.

Individual remarks concerning each of the awardees were as follows:

• Mary Ellen Ellsworth: Mary Ellen is a person of high standards and consistent principles who passionately believes in public service. She does not easily give in to discouragement or defeat. If she thinks something needs to be done, she won’t give up.

• Ralph Yulo: Ralph deeply loves Eastford and is always ready to do his part for the greater good no matter what the task. He likes to get things done and has enjoyed his time on the commission because, in his words, “We do things, we don’t just talk about them.” He also brings a great understanding of the natural world to the work of the commission as a retired professor of science education.

• Deb Lee: Deb has great ambitions for the commission and is always willing to undertake ambitious missions to accomplish important work. She is especially interested in combating invasive plant species. She has a deep commitment to environmental issues and brings a profound understanding of ecological systems as a result of her advanced degrees and professional work in the field.

• Tom DeJohn: Tom is a skilled builder who takes pride in quietly leading and attending to many of the upkeep and maintenance issues associated with the town’s hiking trails, historic cemeteries and the Old Town Pound. He puts great thought into planning this work and undertaking tasks in a safe and professional manner. He is an indispensable member of the commission. He also serves as chairman of the town’s Inland Wetland’s Commission.

For those unfamiliar with the commission’s work, please visit the Eastford Conservation & Historic Preservation Commission on the town’s website. Some of the commission’s ongoing tasks include maintaining and improving the town’s hiking trails and historic sites, such as the Old Boston Turnpike Trail, Askew Trail, Old Connecticut Path, Old Town Pound, and some of the town’s older cemeteries. It has worked to eliminate invasive water chestnuts from a local pond and preserve open space and farmland with protective easements. Current projects include mapping Eastford’s historic stone walls with assistance from UConn and working to remove invasive plants and add native plants over the old town landfill to create a healthier wildlife habitat.

Anyone interested in joining the Commission or participating in a project or two (no pressure, commitment level is up to you!) should contact chairman Roger Wolfe through the Town’s Office Building at 860-974-1885.