The Somerville Board of Aldermen honored Tufts University’s Director of Community Relations Barbara Rubel at their latest regular meeting last week on the occasion of her retirement.

The citation that was awarded reads as follows:

“Be it hereby known to all that the Somerville Board of Aldermen and Mayor offer their sincerest congratulations to Barbara Rubel on the auspicious occasion of her retirement after 45 years as Tufts University’s Director of Community Relations. Throughout her career, Barbara has worked tirelessly to advance the close working relationship that exists between our City and the University. The Aldermen and the Mayor extend their best wishes for good health and much happiness in retirement. Offered this 12th day of July, 2018.”

Several aldermen offered their praises to Rubel during the presentation of the citation. Former Alderman At-Large Jack Connolly sent out an open letter expressing his appreciation for her many years of hard work and dedication. The letter reads as follows:

“Barbara

As you wind down the final hours of a long and distinguished career, I want to say a heartfelt THANK YOU and and A JOB ‘WELL-DONE’ from me and many citizens and officials of Somerville, who all benefited by your dedication, persistence, and perseverance representing Tufts through sometimes tough and turbulent times.

Through it all over the years, you always maintained a class and dignified approach to problems large and small, and were always willing to go that extra step to resolve an issue, or answer a question: Attributes sadly lacking in many folks, these days, in my humble opinion.

I know you will be succeeded by a most qualified and capable person or persons, but your unique talents and abilities to engage, interact, and most importantly, communicate, will be sorely missed, and succeeded, not replaced.

I am grateful for the decades of interaction with you and the University, your service to the Chamber of Commerce, our Somerville City Cable TV, and a host of other causes and organizations that were the beneficiaries’ of your wisdom, counsel, and generous donation of your valuable TIME.

I know many people will be happy that you will now be able to prioritize YOUR time and efforts, especially with your family!

I look forward to seeing you sometime  soon as you steer a steady course forward into the future; My best wishes for continued success in all your endeavors!

Most Sincerely,

John M. Connolly”