2018 recipients of the Thomas S. Green Public Service Award

For release March 30, 2018
For further information:
Eric Kneeland
508-799-7169

The Worcester Regional Research Bureau is pleased to announce the 2018 recipients of the Thomas S. Green Public Service Awards. The Green Awards publicly recognize the efforts of individuals exhibiting the following characteristics:

  • exceptional competence and efficient handling of all assigned responsibilities;
  • enthusiastic performance of tasks above and beyond the call of duty;
  • cooperative, helpful, and friendly attitude toward the public and fellow employees; and
  • community involvement outside the scope of job-related responsibilities.

This year, The Research Bureau honors five employees from across the region who have made outstanding contributions to public service. The Research Bureau’s 12-member Award Committee, composed of representatives from diverse community organizations, selected the recipients from nominees submitted by the public.

Daniel Cahill, Worcester Office of the City Manager’s Quality of Life Team

  • Mr. Cahill serves as Senior Sanitary Inspector and Quality of Life Team Leader for the City of Worcester, overseeing an interdepartmental team of specialists that address persistent issues such as illegal dumping, vacant and problem properties, and homelessness. “Our world is a better place because of Dan Cahill and his love for our City,” said one nominator.

Richard B. Cavalieri, Worcester Department of Public Works & Parks

  • Mr. Cavalieri has served the Worcester community for almost 40 years, working for all key Public Works Divisions, including his current role as the Assistant Director of Street Operations. He “attacks problems and challenges with an urgency and a passion that is almost unparalleled” according to his nomination.

Marianne DeVries, Grafton Police Department

  • Ms. DeVries is the Administrative Assistant for the Grafton Chief of Police and she serves as the police matron and a part-time dispatcher. “She truly embodies all that public service is and should be,” said her nominator.

Stacy Fitzgerald, Auburn Police Department

  • Ms. Fitzgerald serves as the Records Clerk for the Auburn Police Department and is directly responsible for creating and filing all arrest bookings, motor vehicle accident reports, and public records requests. Throughout her nomination, her colleagues referred to Stacy as someone who always goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Victoria Zarozinski, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School

  • Ms. Zarozinski serves as the Director of Student Support and Guidance, working to provide support to young adults and foster awareness of child mental health. A letter in support of her nomination read “I have no doubt [students’] futures are brighter, healthier, and more hopeful because of the dedicated efforts of Vicki Zarozinski.”

Timothy J. McGourthy, The Research Bureau’s Executive Director, said “It is a privilege that The Research Bureau is able to present the Thomas S. Green Public Service Awards each year. These Awards offer an opportunity for the public to honor the best of municipal government and those that have devoted their careers to public service. This year’s recipients are a strong representation of all that the Thomas S. Green Award embodies.”

The Award is named in memory of Thomas S. Green, a founder of The Research Bureau and one of its original Directors. Mr. Green was a civic leader for many decades and a Vice President of Norton Company (now Saint-Gobain). This is the twenty-ninth annual Green Awards presentation, which has honored 114 public servants over the past three decades.

The Awards ceremony will take place at Assumption College in Worcester on Thursday, April 26, at 5:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. A reception in honor of the recipients will follow. RSVP to 508-799-7169 or via email to .

The Research Bureau, founded in 1985, serves the public interest of Greater Worcester by conducting independent, non-partisan research and analysis of public policy issues to promote informed public debate and decision-making. For more information see www.wrrb.org, Facebook (The Research Bureau), and Twitter (@WRRBureau).