b'RememberingVAST PRESIDENT TIM MILLSBy Cindy Locke, VAST ExecutiveNH. Tim was raised in Director Groveton, NH then later Tim Mills brought to thismoved to Monroe, NH. Tim organization a drive to see VASTattended the Saint Johnsbury become a better and unifiedAcademy before starting his association. His approach wasworking career. Tim began always one of strength, kindness,his career in Waste Water in and integrity. He truly impactedPlainfield, VT.He worked at all who knew him and thisthe treatment plant and drove organization.a school bus part-time.Tim and I would spend countlessTim eventually moved to hours on the phone over theBarre, VT. This is where Tim years talking about VAST.met his life long partner When Tim was voted into theAngel Emmons. Tim and position of president and I wasAngel worked together at the new to VAST as well, VASTTower Restaurant in Barre, had already spent a few yearsVT. Tim started work at the in turmoil. It had gone throughTown of Randolph at the many leadership changes on theWaste Water Treatment plant, board of directors and a couplewhere he worked for a short of changes in organizationaltime. In 1987, Tim started leadership within VAST staff.work for the Town of Bethel Consequentially, there wereat the Waste Water Treatment divides and mistrust within theplant. From 1992 to 2002, Tim board and within the staff. Tim andalso worked for Vermont Castings.I vowed to work together to heal theThere are countless more stories I canTim worked for the Town of Bethel divides and be open and clear withtell you. I know there are many offor 35 years. Tim started for the town all decisions and paths to reach goalsyou that can tell your own too. I willwhile the Waste Water Treatment to help build that trust back. It wasalways be grateful to Tim for steppingplant was being built. Tim was the important to us and many others thatup when VAST really needed him. HeChief Waste Water Operator and VAST right the wrongs and heal theshould be remembered for being theeventually promoted to Utility wounds so we could continue to havegreat leader he was and the dedicatedDirector. Tim received many awards an amazing and strong association. volunteer he was for this association.and recognition for his work and One way Tim did this was to haveTim truly was bigger than life withdedication. In 2011, he was awarded time outside of monthly boardthe heart of a lion and the compassionthe Green Mountain Environmental meetings to bring board membersof true hero. He will be missed byExcellence award. In 2016, Tim was together to find common ground.so many of us, his VAST family. Wealso awarded Waste Water Operator Over time it worked. Board membersstand with his family in their griefof the year. This is a very unique began to communicate more, shareand hope memories of Tim will bringaward in that Tim was nominated by ideas and actually bond. I rememberpeace and smiles in the future.someone from the State of Vermont. watching a board member that hadThis is very rare and shows just how left during my first year at VASTdeserving Tim was of this award. In come back a few years later to attend2020, Tim received the GMWEAs a board meeting. I watched his faceMichael J. Garofano Water Operator as he experienced the VAST boardObituary of the year award. Yet another of directors arriving to the meetingTimothy Paul Mills Jr., 58, of Bethel,prestigious award for his hard work. and he got to experience what hadVT passed away Monday evening,Tim also volunteered for several changed as the minutes were filledFebruary 21, 2022, at UVM MedicalTown Committees including the with handshakes, laughing andCenter in Burlington, VT with hisClass 4 Road Committee, the Safety catching up. This all happened beforefamily by his side. Tim was bornCommittee, and the Emergency the seriousness of the actual meetingAugust 17, 1963, to Timothy P. MillsPlanning Committee.started. Sr. and Anna Leclerc in Lancaster,Tim was an avid member of the 2 | Snowmobile VERMONT'