Long-time Selectman remembered
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

It is his dedication to the town that people will remember, after they think of his kindness and his wisdom.

The town and the residents of Westminster mourned the death of life-long resident and long-time public servant Present D. Baker this week. Baker, 62, died on Wednesday, May 7, of pancreatic cancer.

"He truly loved this town," said William Wintturi.

Wintturi, the former director of the Department of Public Works, grew up with Baker and then worked with him in a variety of roles through the years.

"I've known him since elementary school. We went to Westminster Elementary School together," Wintturi said.

Baker was 30 years old when he was first elected to the Board of Selectmen in 1976. He served as selectman for a total of 22 years by serving three separate times.

He served from 1976 to 1986, from 1988 to 1991 and from 1996 to 2005.

"The town was first and foremost on his mind," said Town Coordinator Karen Murphy. "It will be a big loss for this town. He was a good man for this town."

The town's flag flew on the flagpole in front of the Town Hall at half-mast for the week between Baker's death and his funeral. Murphy said it was the first time that only the town's flag was raised.

"We are grieving locally," she said of the symbol.

The town offices closed for two hours on Wednesday so employees could attend the funeral if they chose, and a memory book was set up in the front of Town Hall for those that wanted to add their memories.

"I think when ever anyone thinks of Preston they think of his smile," said Betty Kazan, the town secretary. "Preston got a lot of respect from people. It was amazing one person could do so much."

Baker served many roles in town, from a highway worker to a voice on many boards. In addition to serving as a selectman, Baker was elected to the Water and Sewer Commission in 1992 and served in that role until 1998, when it became the Department of Public Works, which he was appointed to and served in that role until his death.

In addition, he served on the 250th Anniversary, Town Hall Building, Forbush Library Building, the Westminster Elementary School Building, Solid Waste Advisory, and Wastewater Citizen's Advisory committees.

"He had such a vast knowledge of town government," Murphy said. "He'd always have some sound advice."

Murphy said she will miss him most as a resource and as a voice of reason.

In the early and mid-1960s Baker worked for the highway department in the summers during college. Baker studied civil engineering at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.

Wintturi worked with him starting in 1965. Then Wintturi worked for the DPW while Baker served as a commissioner.

"He cared for the town that he lived in. He was about the town not himself," Wintturi said. "It wasn't a personal thing, it was a for-the-whole thing."

Baker's family was one of the founding families of Westminster and he was a member of the family's 10th generation living in town.

"He was well aware of his family history," said Murphy. "He was really excited about the town's 250th anniversary. It will be really sad he won't be able to see it."

The 250th anniversary of the town will be celebrated in 2009.

Baker has two children - a daughter, Heather E. Baker of Washington, D.C., and a son Nathan A. Baker of Colorado.

Baker was one of seven children to Preston A. and Grace (Jarvis) Baker. Baker's father served as a selectman and was one of the founders of St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Westminster.

Baker worked for 40 years in excavating and site development including time as the vice-president of operations for Clark Excavating of Westminster. He founded and operated Westminster Site Corporation and Baker Site Development.

Wintturi said Baker had other interests as well including his boat.

"He liked getting people together and socializing," he said.