About
You turn on the faucet. You have safe drinking water.
A bathroom fan fire is doused quickly. It doesn’t spread.
A domestic disturbance is kept from turning into something worse.
The restaurant food is safe to eat.
Because someone made it happen.
Who does the work in the background that keeps your community functioning?
How can these workers be recognized and valued?
This volunteer project began at the end of 2023. I had unfettered behind-the-scenes access to Town workers on the job. I embedded myself into their environments and shared their day-to-day experiences. I rode along with fire and police, joined highway department crews on road projects, accompanied meals-on-wheels deliveries, observed vehicle maintenance crews service engines and watched staff serving customers at the town clerk’s office.
Over multiple visits, I learned the personalities of the people and the rhythms of their jobs. I built trust that I could do my job without interfering with theirs and would represent them with honesty and authenticity. I admire their integrity, dedication and skills. The project recognizes people and occupations rarely shown in full light and offers the unique perspective that I was privileged to experience.