Paul Burgess, Wales selectperson, received the 2023 Ethel N. Kelley Award during the Maine Municipal Association’s 87th annual convention on Oct. 4.
The award was created in 1986 to not only commemorate MMA’s 50th anniversary, but to honor the award’s namesake, Ethel Kelley, who held municipal government service in high regard. As a result, she dedicated 45 years to MMA to assist the municipal leaders she highly respected, according to a news release from the association.
Burgess has 48 years of service under his belt and is still serving.
Burgess began his career in 1976 as a member of the town’s Planning Board and a year later ran and won a seat on the selectboard, which he continues to hold today. He served his community as a firefighter from 1975 and remains an active member.
Adding to his legacy of service, when he retired from the public sector in 2011, Burgess joined the public works department so he could contribute and take care of the town he truly loves. Often referred to as “The Mayor,” “he is a timeless public servant who still runs circles around the younger members of the public works department,” said Rep. Randy Greenwood of Wales. “Paul is always striving to do the best he can for the town and its people and because of his selflessness, Wales is a better place.”
This year MMA received nominations for 18 Maine residents who in total have over 500 years of local government service.
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