James Barnett, well-known and well-loved in Maybrook, declined to run for reelection this year and retired from the village board. At the village board meeting, Barnett received a plaque of appreciation and gratitude on behalf of the village board from Mayor Dennis Leahy. Barnett has served Maybrook in a wide variety of positions since 1975, including with the Police Department as an officer and Officer-in-Charge; fire department; planning board; zoning board of appeals; Scout Troop 236 and its band, which Barnett founded; village board trustee and deputy mayor; and Church of the Assumption religious education teacher.

Barnett received a standing ovation from the board and the crowd at the last meeting he attended in March. At last month’s meeting, he again received accolades from all board members. “It went by very quickly,” Barnett said of his long-term village service. “Maybrook is a great place to live!”

It was especially poignant for Barnett as his son, Lt. Dennis Barnett who is second in charge at the village Police Department, witnessed the presentation.