The Borough of Northampton held its annual appreciation dinner meeting Dec. 16 for its employees and volunteers at Northampton Banquet & Event Center.

Gerald “Jerry” Deily, retired executive director of Northampton Borough Municipal Authority (NBMA), was awarded the prestigious Gold Cement Bag plaque for his volunteer work on behalf of the community.

Deily was recognized for his fundraising efforts and work on establishing the community center on Lerchenmiller Drive. He then acted as the center’s chairman.

Deily was unable to attend the program. Edward D. Hozza Sr., NBMA chairman, accepted the award.

Borough Manager LeRoy Brobst served as program emcee and gave the State of the Borough Address, which yearly was given by then-borough Manager Gene Zarayko, Brobst’s mentor, who retired May 31 and died months later. Brobst credited Zarayko for his zeal in making the borough a place for families to be proud of and a community with so much to offer.

But there was a big surprise for the large crowd attending the program, one that even had Brobst taken aback. As he was in the midst of making general remarks, borough council President Anthony Lopsonzski Jr. came to the podium to address the crowd.

Lopsonzski recognized Brobst for his 50 years of service to the borough, a feat believed not ever achieved by a borough employee before.

Lopsonzski, holding a small red holiday stocking, presented Brobst with 50 silver dollars, along with a commemorative coin.

There was still more - Northampton Mayor Thomas D. Reenock took the podium and presented Brobst with a proclamation noting Dec. 16 as “LeRoy Brobst Day in the Borough.”

The proclamation recalled Brobst’s career with the borough, leaving college and taking a job as a laborer with the borough, then onto the U.S. Army and in combat in Vietnam. He was awarded numerous citations and returned to the borough as a public works employee. There he was promoted, after which Zarayko named him as assistant to the manager.