JAMES PUTNAM II
SOUTHWICK – Longtime Southwick Town Moderator James Putnam II presided over his final Town Meeting June 16.
After serving as moderator for 27 years, Putnam chose not to seek re-election and said he was happy to hand over the position to Celeste St. Jacques, who was elected June 9.
During the Special and Annual Town Meetings Tuesday, Putnam stood on the back of a pickup truck in the Southwick Regional School parking lot. This was the second time Putnam moderated a meeting in this manner after a Special Town Meeting in March was hosted in the same space due to COVID-19.
At the March meeting, Putnam noted that while it was unusual to host the meeting outdoors, he guessed that in the town’s 250 year history it was not the first outdoor gathering of voters.
On Tuesday, Select Board Chairman Russell Fox offered Putnam a certificate of recognition for not only his nearly three decades as moderator, but his other service to the town, including on the Finance Committee, School Committee, Southwick-Tolland School Committee and 250th Celebration Committee.
“Mr. Putnam has continued his family tradition of community involvement to the highest standard,” Fox said as the audience stood and clapped.
Putnam said Tuesday’s meetings were his “last hurrah” as moderator but his service to Southwick was not ending that night.
“I’m moving on to other responsibilities,” he said.
Putnam thanked his wife Terry for moving here from South Carolina and learning about town government in support of his position. He also thanked everyone who helped keep Town Meeting going and safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I really believe in Town Meeting,” he said. “It’s important.”
Putnam said because of COVID-19, the future of Town Meeting could be different, but it is necessary to carry on the tradition and allow voters’ voices to be heard.
