“A chapter is closing.”

Maybrook Mayor Dennis Leahy couldn’t have put it any better at Monday’s village board meeting; and all in attendance couldn’t agree more. Long-time Village Clerk Valentina “Tina” Johnson will retire, effective September 5. All also agreed how much she will be missed.

Well known village-wide for her quick smile, welcoming manner and helpful disposition, Johnson has life-long roots in Maybrook. Although she was absent from Monday’s meeting, her letter of resignation was read in which she noted her on-going affection for the village.

“I will never be able to express what an honor, privilege, experience and absolute wonderful 25 years I have been blessed with to serve the village,” she wrote. “I can honestly say I have enjoyed it to the fullest. Thank you to everyone for the friendships and family that I have come to love working with! It’s been my pleasure!”

She asked the board to accept her retirement “with much love, thanks and great memories”. And she offered her availability to help with the transition to a new village clerk.

The village board unanimously accepted her retirement “with regret.”

“I hate to see her go,” Leahy said. “But I do wish her much happiness.”

New board trustee William Giannico recalled his long-time friendship with Johnson.

“I knew Tina as a person long before I got to know her as a colleague,” he said. “She’s the best.”

Trustee Daryl Capozzoli termed Johnson “fantastic to work with”.

Johnson’s has a long history of service, not only to Maybrook, but to the wider town community also.

The village board awarded Johnson the 2021 Joseph E. Dineen Award for outstanding community service. In addition to her work with the village, she is a 14-year member of the Walden Rotary Club, which she served as a secretary and president. She is a former secretary of the Town of Montgomery Chamber of Commerce and has been president of the Maybrook Kiwanis Club.

At Monday’s meeting, the board also noted this week’s retirement of Deputy Treasurer Linda LaRosa.

“I wish Linda a long, happy and healthy retirement,” Mayor Leahy said. “I also thank Linda for her service to the village and for her help in making the Village of Maybrook a better place.”

LaRosa also served as village building inspector secretary. She is a member and past president of the village’s Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2064 Auxiliary.