Tonight at its 6 p.m. meeting, the Middle Township Committee will honor Public Works administrative secretary Rita Kirk as the March 2015 Employee of the Month.
“Our Public Works Department does a great job of up keeping the 72 square miles that make Middle Township the 8th largest municipality in the state,” Mayor Tim Donohue said. “Rita is a great part of that success story. She assists PW Director Rob Flynn, coordinates the daily assignments of our PW crews and handles residents’ issues with professionalism and a smile. On behalf of Township Committee, I congratulate her for this well-deserved recognition.”
Kirk began her career with Middle Township in 1998. She spent 17 years doing Accounts Payable in the Finance Department, and applied for her position in Public Works on a lark following another employee’s retirement. That was four years ago. Since then, she has become an integral part of the Public Works team, always going above and beyond to help residents while maintaining a professional demeanor. “I would like to thank Rita for the hard work she does for us and for the residents of Middle Township. Rita’s dedication is so meaningful to the Public Works Department,” said Rob Flynn.
Extremely modest in nature, Kirk gives credit to her coworkers. “The best parts of my job are really my supervisors and co-workers—they are the ones that get the job done for residents. I call them with a problem and they check it out and get it taken care of.” Kirk also mentioned that she loves being able to pass on good news to the PW crews when residents call to express their thanks.
The mother of two, Kirk relishes time spent with them and her two grandchildren. She especially enjoys taking her grandchildren for walks and going to the beach. Jokes Kirk, “Babysitting is great because you can give them back!”
The Middle Township Employee of the Month program was initiated by the Township Committee to honor employees who exemplify the Township’s commitment to better delivery of services and going the extra mile for residents. The program culminates with the Darius Graham Employee of the Year honor that is named after one of the Township’s most beloved employees in its history.
Nominations for the Employee of the Month Program are available inside Middle Township hall at three locations: Human Resources and Training Department, Administration Department, and on the bulletin board. Residents from the Township who have had a very positive interaction with any Middle Township employee may pick up the one-page nomination form and fill it out in the employee’s behalf. Each month a Township employee will be selected; the winning nominee will receive a certificate at a future Township Committee meeting along with a photograph posted on the bulletin board.
