John Grant Honored for 45 Years of Service

Over the last four and a half decades, outgoing Conservation Commission member John Grant wasn't afraid to take risks - even if it meant support would be limited.

"All I can say to people that are trying to do things in the town or anywhere else: The first thing that will happen when you say you want to try this project, they’ll tell you three or four reasons it won’t work and the first thing you do is ignore all those things and even if you’re the only person that thinks it’s a good idea – forge ahead," he said.

Grant was honored for his service Monday night at the Easton Board of Selectmen meeting and awarded with the first ever John E. Grant Environmental Stewardship Award, which will be presented to residents who work to provide environmental protection to all residents of the town.

The plaque was forged from a small piece of black walnut tree from the Grant Conservation Land, one piece of nearly 4,000 acres of land the outgoing commission member helped protect during his tenure.

"You should be so proud of the legacy you’re leaving behind," Board of Selectmen Chair Colleen Corona said.

"We all know how hard it is to serve the town and to do it for 45 years is just frankly incomprehensible to me," she added.

Members of the community, Board of Selectmen members and the Conservation Commission joined Corona in thanking Grant.

"I never thought this day would come, but all I did was I did the best I could every single day and not one single day went by when I wasn’t thinking about the land in Easton," Grant said.