Youth Commission Director Reflects on 39 Years, Says Goodbye to Selectmen

Youth Commission director Tom Clinton said his goodbyes to the Board of Selectmen Thursday night after 39 years of service in the commission.

Despite successes changing countless young lives marching through the halls of Dedham High School, Clinton’s one regret is not seeing the construction of a youth center in town.

“For years and years, I always felt there needed to be a youth center. But I said, politically, you couldn’t pursue funding for a youth center until there was a senior center,” Clinton said. “I’m just amazed that 39 years later we don’t even have a senior center.”

To the enlightenment of the board, Clinton reflected on nearly four decades of civil service.

In his first presentation to the Board of Selectmen in 1972 when he started, he said his goals revolve around “council, coordinating and creating.” Those are now the pillars of the commission.

“Reaching out to the teenagers, trying to draw them in and be that loving and caring person in their lives and sending them in the right direction, I think are a part of the things we hope to accomplish,” Clinton said.

Finding students summer jobs is one of the biggest accomplishments as director of the Youth Commission, Clinton said. Working keeps kids busy during a long downtime, and as he said, hopefully keeps them away from alcohol, drugs, vandalism and crime.

“We know the groundwork that [Clinton has] laid in 39 years and your ability to pass on your knowledge to others […], the foundation Tom Clinton built for this town, you could build a town on,” said Selectman Jim MacDonald.

Clinton will stay in Dedham to help transition a new director into the role and pass on his decades of knowledge. Town Administrator William Keegan said he plans to send an offer of employment to a replacement Friday.

That person, Keegan said, told the interview committee that he would spend the first week with Clinton learning the ropes.

“It worries me that we are losing you,” said Selectman Sarah MacDonald. “I think you have access to a population that other town departments don’t reach and that are very in need of services.”