DIXFIELD – Richard Pierce believes volunteers are needed to get things done.

He should know.

Pierce, 87, has been volunteering for decades wherever he has lived.

For the past 26 years, that’s been Dixfield, and on Monday night, selectmen unanimously named him the 2007 Distinguished Citizen of the Year.

Selectwoman Brenda Turbide nominated Pierce for the award, listing some of the many committees and organizations he has been a part of.

“I was really surprised,” said Pierce on Tuesday. “There should be a lot of others to get the award.”

As a selectman, including board chairman, from 1989-1999, he is most proud of the $2 million grant he helped get for the town to build a new water system.

He has maintained his interest in making sure residents get safe, clean water by serving on the Water Advisory Committee.

He also cares for the area’s economy and gives his time to the River Valley Growth Council and River Valley Technology Center, as well as several associated committees. He is also on the Maine Tree Farm Committee and Maine Tree Foundation, the town’s Finance Committee, and is a past member of the Maine Municipal Association’s executive committee.

“I enjoy being able to give opinions on things,” he said.

He sat on the Board of Assessors, sits on the Northern Oxford Regional Solid Waste Board, and was a founding member of the Oxford County Joint Municipal Board.

When he’s not involved in the area’s well-being, Pierce likes to putter in his vegetable garden, create wood items in his workshop, and was once an avid stamp collector.

He has been recognized in the past, at least twice, for his commitment to his town and area by having the 2000 Dixfield annual report dedicated to him, and by being the recipient of the American Hometown Leadership Award.

Pierce is a native of Gardiner, graduated from the University of Maine with a B.S. in forestry technology, and from Yale University where he earned an M.S. in forestry technology.

“The interest started in Boy Scouts and worked its way up,” he said.

He retired from United Timber as its vice-president. He is the father of two sons and a daughter, and has one granddaughter.

The town started the Distinguished Citizen Award in 1998, when businesswoman and community activist Norine Clarke received the honor. A recipient is not chosen every year. Pierce is the eighth to be recognized by the town for his concern for the community and its citizens.

He will be honored at the annual town meeting on May 31 with a plaque, flowers and cash award.