Town Officials Honor Mike Clark at Last Meeting

At his last meeting as chairman, the Town Council, past chairmen and many members of the community honored Mike Clark for a host of accomplishments and thanked him for six years of service.

Former Town Council chairman George Reider said Clark was one of the town’s greatest leaders, noting that he had seen the town through a recession and two natural disasters. Clark was the only chairman, he said, who stepped into the role without prior experience on the council and did so without missing a beat.

State Rep. William Wadsworth, who served as vice-chair on the council to Clark, presented him with a proclamation from the General Assembly, saying he made the wellbeing of the community his personal responsibility and that he served with professionalism and grace.

Nancy Nickerson, who took the position of vice-chair when Wadsworth stepped down, spoke on behalf of the Town Council.

“Mike Clark is a man of integrity, dedication and compassion... He’s committed to the town of Farmington and he cares so much about the town and about people,” she said.

Nickerson read a list of accomplishments during Clark’s time on the council: changes in sewer policy, the Inland Wetlands/Conservation Commission split, establishment of the Bioscience Enterprise Zone, recreational fund policy, elderly tax relief, the UConn, Green Efforts and Strategic Planning committees. He was also instrumental in the switch to automated garbage carts and single stream recycling and the Everbridge notification system. Under his leadership the town refinanced debt, gained a Moody’s AAA bond rating, acquired grants and finished infrastructure improvements like the Route 4 bridge and the Barney Library.

When he got his chance to speak, Clark turned the evening around to thank his wife and children, town staff and those who served with him.

“When I left the FBI, I thought I’d never see people so dedicated to a mission again and I was wrong — I see it here in Farmington … it’s a remarkable thing to see,” Clark said.

“It’s been a great honor to serve… thinking of the projects we’ve completed and the impact on generations to come make it six of the most fulfilling years of my life. Thank you all for everything.”

Clark decided not to run again for Town Council chairman to pursue Connecticut's Fifth Congressional District seat. Nickerson wished him well in that race.

“We are so fortunate to have had him for all these years and he’ll still be here, hopefully representing us again,” she said.