Last week’s Tabernacle Township Committee meeting, or as Mayor Stephen Lee called it “the Frank Perry hour,” was very unique.
The seats in the municipal building were filled with residents, friends and township staff who wished to pay tribute to a man who dedicated much of his adult life to the township.
Boxes of tissues lined the committee table for those who were sad to see him go.
Perry was hired by the township in June 1995. He recently retired at the end of November after more than 20 years of serving as the township’s construction official and code enforcement zoning officer, leaving a lasting impact on those who crossed paths with him throughout his tenure.
To express their gratitude, the committee invited Perry and his family to attend the meeting and accept tokens of appreciation.
“He served diligently and effectively with the highest integrity,” Lee said.
That was the first line of the proclamation that Lee gave last week that he said took him more than two hours to write, as he searched for the right words to pay Perry a proper tribute.
“His commitment to serving the needs of the residents of Tabernacle has been instrumental in maintaining the property standards, residents’ safety and high quality of life,” he said. “He has respectfully served as a leader and a valuable member of the Tabernacle municipal staff and has guided the township with the interest of its residents in high priority while always discharging his duty with fairness and utmost respect to the applicants, professionals and members of the community.”
The committee gave Perry’s wife flowers and filled a basket with treats for everyone in the family to enjoy. Perry’s grandchildren took a particular interest in some of the sweets.
Committeewoman Kim Brown, Committeeman Richard Franzen and Deputy Mayor Joseph Yates also shared their appreciation of Perry’s services through their words.
“I think the one word I think of most when I think of your name is ‘ethics,’” Franzen said. “You’ve always been very straight and very forward.”
Yates also spoke to Perry being a “straight shooter” and how everyone appreciated his honesty, regardless of the situation at hand.
Perry created lifelong relationships with many of his co-workers and many members of the community. He was a mentor to some and a good friend to others, as many stated in the public comment portion of the meeting.
Countless homeowners, including Lee, spoke to how well he did his job and how his systematic approach to the process of safely building a home spoke to his great credibility.
One resident even attempted to create a vote to not let Perry leave.
Perry was visibly humbled by the whole experience, but being the modest man he is, kindly asked the committee get back to its regular business.
After all, he joked, it was getting late and his grandchildren had school in the morning.
“There’s not a lot I can say, I love this township, I love the people, it’s a great community and the people that live here need to appreciate that,” Perry said.
