On Monday, Sept. 16, the Town of North Attleborough gathered to celebrate a momentous occasion—the dedication of the Town Hall conference room to JoAnn Cathcart, in recognition of her 35 years of service to the community.
The foyer bustled with introductions, reunions and pleasant conversations.
John Costello and Pat St. Pierre reflected on Cathcart’s longstanding commitment, remarking that while they weren’t sure of the exact number of years she had served, it felt as though she had always been a part of North Attleborough’s fabric.
Costello captured the sentiment of the evening when he said, “It’s fitting that it [the conference room] be named after her… If we had a mayor, it would have been JoAnn.”
As the ceremony moved downstairs, attendees gathered in the newly-renamed JoAnn Cathcart Conference Room. Town Manager Michael Borg began the dedication with heartfelt remarks.
“It is an honor to dedicate this room to a pillar of the community,” Borg said, emphasizing the significance of the space as a place where “discussions will be held and decisions will be made,” much like the important conversations Cathcart helped shape throughout her years of service.
Borg’s words reflected how the room would serve as a fitting tribute to someone who worked tirelessly to build a better future for North Attleborough.
Cathcart, who grew up in North Attleborough, served as a member of the Representative Town Meeting as part of the Commission on Disabilities, acted as both assistant to the town administrator and as interim town administrator, and was the town’s ADA Coordinator. She worked with the police department for years and has served on the board of directors for North TV along with the Finance Committee. In 2019, she, along with eight other individuals were elected as North Attleborough’s first Town Council.
Cathcart resigned from the council in August 2022.
Town Council President Justin Pare also addressed the crowd, noting the impressive turnout.
“Who else could bring half the town out on a Monday night?” he asked, smiling.
Pare recalled his time serving alongside Cathcart on the first Town Council, praising her “energetic passion and leadership,” qualities that had been a cornerstone of her work in the community.
Even Cathcart’s granddaughter, Catalina, added a personal touch, proudly commenting, “She is the coolest person ever.”
With her signature humor and grace, Cathcart herself thanked everyone involved in the dedication process. She looked out over the room, filled with familiar faces of former colleagues, political rivals, and neighbors, and said, “There is a place in my heart for all of you for coming out.”
The evening concluded with a shared sense of appreciation for Cathcart’s enduring legacy. The newly named Joann Cathcart Conference Room will not only serve as a reminder of her contributions but will continue to be a space where the spirit of her work lives on, fostering discussions and decisions that shape North Attleborough’s future.
