FARMINGTON — Charley Murray was at a loss for words Friday afternoon as town officials, family and friends gathered to surprise him at the Municipal Building.

This year’s annual town report is dedicated to Murray, who has given much to the community and previously served as a town selectman and board chairman, Nancy Twitchell, a member of the town report committee, said.

Town Manager Richard Davis, with a little help from RSU 9 Director Robert Flick, invited Murray to share his expertise on a budget matter between the school and town — at least that’s what Murray thought.

“I’m taken back,” he said, as he walked into a room full of family members and longtime friends. 

“It’s an honor, thank you,” he added, as Davis presented him with a copy of the report.

Murray has served on the town’s Planning Board and Board of Selectmen for 11 years, the last two as chairman. He was also involved in developing the town’s Comprehensive Plan and use of space for the Public Works Building.

He moved to Farmington when he was 9 and attended local schools, graduating from Dartmouth College in 1956. He began his career in the shoe industry at Bass Shoe Co. and then went out of state to hold executive positions in other shoe companies after Bass was sold.

He and wife, Amanda, returned to Farmington in 1993. Along with serving the town, he was chairman of the Franklin Memorial Hospital Board and helped raise funds for the new Medical Arts Building. He continues to serve on the hospital’s finance and investment committees.

He co-chaired the drive to expand the Farmington Public Library and was a founding board member of the Greater Franklin Development Corp.

A member of the University of Maine at Farmington’s Board of Visitors, he also served on the planning committee for the new Education Center.

Murray has served as a deacon and on other committees at Old South Church.

“He deserves the town report dedication,” Davis said.

Town reports are now available at area markets and stores. The annual town meeting takes place on Saturday, April 2. 

Town polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, April 1, for elections of selectmen and school board members.

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