Westborough – Bruce Tretter received the President's Award from the Westborough Community Land Trust (WCLT) at its 2012 Annual Meeting. The President's Award recognizes a WCLT member who has given exemplary service to the local land trust.
WCLT President John Metzger noted that for the last five years Tretter has served as the chair of the town-wide Earth Day cleanup, sponsored by WCLT.? According to Metzger, Tretter's energy and efficiency have been invaluable to the WCLT.
“The town-wide cleanup is important to ensure a greener Westborough,” Metzger said, “and it enables many Westborough families to introduce young children to community service. The Westborough Community Land Trust is very grateful for Bruce Tretter's leadership??”he has made a tangible difference to protect the town's environment.”
The award cited Tretter's contribution to the program:? “Discarded bottles, cans, wrappers, even hub caps have disappeared from Westborough roadsides, up to 150 bags of trash one year, thanks to his efforts. Each spring Bruce surveys the town on his bicycle to record the areas with the worst debris. With persuasive charm, he recruits volunteers from all corners of Westborough, from the Scout troops to schools, from local companies to church groups. As many as 110 volunteers have been called into action and assigned work sites on Westborough's Earth Day Clean-up. Conscientious, organized and enthusiastic, Bruce Tretter has translated his commitment to a healthy environment into civic action.”
Tretter is no stranger to public service. He has served on the School Committee for 11 years, worked on the Capital Expenditures Committee and recently volunteered for the new Biking Committee. His daily bike ride of 20 miles or more has made Tretter aware of the need for bike paths to not only promote fitness and family recreation but also to connect bikers safely to their environment. Tretter's other major interest, healthy cooking, has evolved into a profession. He aims to make novices comfortable with cooking a meal by following recipes through step-by-step pictures. His newest production, “Just Eggs: Quick and Easy,” is part of his “Show Me How” video picture book recipes. Underlying Tretter's endeavors is his resolution to help people follow a healthy and uncluttered lifestyle – and have a smile on their face doing it.
“Receiving the President's Award from the Westborough Community Land Trust means what the Land Trust stands for is definitely having an effect our town,” Tretter said. “I got involved first years ago just to lend a hand and was glad I did. Now it's about passing on that pride to others, and having a lot of fun doing it. Picking up trash is cool. Just look at how the town looks after our cleanup.”
