Presented by Rep. Paul Tucker

“As part of SAFE’s (Salem Alliance for the Environment’s) work to protect the health and efficient use of resources in Salem they have been advocating, researching and pushing for understanding, accurate reporting, and repair of natural gas leaks throughout Salem.  While preservation often focuses on the visible – and what is “pretty” it is an honor to recognize the equally important efforts to maintain and repair the unseen aspects of our historic city.  With infrastructure of all kinds surpassing 100 years of service there continues to be a need for information gathering, decision-making and prioritization of funds and efforts to ensure our current resources remain serviceable.  This principle is applicable to preservation at any level.

SAFE’s work is motivated by environmental concerns, with life and health concerns the driving force.  A lesson to all preservationists that we would all be well served to consider how sustainability, functionality and resource management are connected to the care and viability of our historic cities.

We thank Salem Alliance for the Environment and Pat Gozemba who is here to accept the award.”

Bob Ackley, president of Gas Safety Inc., the man who in 2016 did so much work for Salem and for SAFE in detecting the 232 gas/methane leaks in Salem as compared with the 62 leaks acknowledged by National Grid.

Bob Ackley of Gas Safety Inc., Pat Gozemba, Co-Chair of SAFE, and Rep. Paul Tucker.