Gerry Simmons retires from Water Department

On Tuesday evening, the Water Commissioners hosted a "retirement" party for Gerry Simmons, who, at the age of 83, has recently resigned his position as Water Superintendent. The event gave members of the community an opportunity to recognize Gerry for the many positions in which has served (and continues to serve) the community since 1953.

Current & former members of Water Department: Peter Georges, David Hardman, Karl Huber, Gerry Simmons, Cheryl Mann, Don Pottle, Ted Gaudette, David Wellington

To kick off the reception, Water Commissioner Karl Huber presented Gerry with a gift and read a list of the offices that Gerry has held over the years:

Thank you Gerry!	Position	Years served
	Constable	1953 - 2004
	Sergeant of Police	1953 -1957, 1960 - 1989
	Chief of Police (1)	1958 - 1960
	Reserve Police Inspector	1989 - ??
	Dog Officer	1957 - 1968
	Civil Defense Director	1961 - 1988
	Fence Viewer/Field Driver	1953 - present
	Pound Keeper	1975 - present
	Water Superintendent	1984 - 2007
	Criminal Justice Advisory	1989 - ??
	Board of Road Commissioners	1991 - 2003
	Council on Aging	1992 - present
	Election Warden	1992 - present
	Tree Warden	1994 - 2005
	Caucus Chairman	?? - present
	Source: Dunstable Annual Town Reports Note that, where dates are listed as ??, the information to determine beginning and end dates was not available in the town records. It is unknown when the Criminal Justice Advisory position was eliminated. Compiled by the Town Clerk

Gerry particularly enjoyed the years he served in the Police Department. He's proud of the fact that, in those days, he knew everyone in town. In reference to his brief term as Police Chief, Gerry explained that the Selectmen used to appoint the Police Chief based on whoever won the most votes in the election for Constable. In 1958, long-time Police Chief Archer Davis may have "stepped on someone's toes," so he didn't get the majority of votes that year. When Davis regained favor with the voters, Gerry resumed his role as Sergeant, which was fine with Gerry.

Some of Gerry's less time-consuming positions are the traditional offices of Fence Viewer, Field Driver, and Pound Keeper. These positions were more important in the days when most of the land in Dunstable was farmed and animals would occasionally stray. The Fence Viewer inspected fences to make sure they were in good repair. When animals did get loose, the Field Driver rounded them up and put them in the Town Pound (now located next to the Little Red Schoolhouse), and the Pound Keeper would look after the animals until their owners claimed them.

Gerry has also been an active member of the Dunstable Grange and the Masons. He can also be seen making deliveries for the Rose of Sharon and the Shannahan's.

Gerry's wife, Rena, provided some insight into Gerry's motivation for doing so many jobs. "He just likes to stay busy," she said. When Gerry had to retire from his position as Police Sergeant, he was apparently concerned whether he would be able to stay busy enough. For many years now, Dunstable has reaped the benefit Gerry's need to stay busy.

Gerry plans to stay active in other aspects of town government, such as Election Warden, and the Council on Aging. He is also willing to serve as Caucus Chairman as long as he is elected.

Editor's Note: Dunstable News published a profile on Gerry Simmons in 2004. We hope you will read that story to get to know one of Dunstable's most prominent citizens.