LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Maria Termini upon the occasion of her
retirement after 38 years of distinguished service to the City of New
York Department of Sanitation's Division of Customer Service and Govern-
ment Relations on May 5, 2016

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those individuals
whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stat-
ure of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Maria Termini upon the occasion of her retirement from the City of New
York Department of Sanitation's Division of Customer Service and Custom-
er Relations, to be celebrated at a Retirement Brunch held in her honor
on Thursday, May 5, 2016; and
WHEREAS, For the past 38 years, Maria Termini rendered faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to the City of New York Department of
Sanitation's Division of Customer Service and Government Relations; and
WHEREAS, A native of Palermo, Italy, Maria Termini immigrated to
Queens, New York, where she earned her Bachelor's degree from Queens
College; her early experiences as an immigrant in New York City gave her
a special understanding which motivated her to volunteer in the Ferrini
League, an immigrant assistance organization, as well as to teach
English as a second language to fellow immigrants; and
WHEREAS, In 1978, Maria Termini began her public service career with
Queens Community Board 5 as an Assistant to the District Manager; in
this role, she was responsible for reviewing and analyzing the impact of
agency procedures, policies and relevant legislation on the residents of
the community, which resulted in modification of agency practices; she
also served as liaison between municipal agencies and residents and
assisted constituents in obtaining and expediting services; and
WHEREAS, Beginning in 1980, Maria Termini joined the New York City
Department of Sanitation in the Operations Planning Unit where she
worked closely with the Bureau of Cleaning and Collection; she collab-
orated in the establishment of appropriate protocols and partnerships
between the New York Department of State and the City's Community
Boards; and
WHEREAS, Two years later, Maria Termini was appointed Assistant Direc-
tor of the District Planning and Assistance Unit where she took on
responsibilities for providing assistance to Community Boards in their
efforts to develop service delivery plans, as well as reviewing and
coordinating their implementation; and
WHEREAS, During her tenure as Assistant Director, Maria Termini
prepared a publication entitled "A Guide to Community Board Partic-
ipation in the Planning of the Delivery of Sanitation Enforcement
Services," also known as the "Blue Book"; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Maria Termini coordinated the Department's
participation at service cabinet meetings and budget consultations and
provided departmental response to Community Boards as well as estab-
lished and chaired the Sanitation/Community Board Task Force on inter-a-
gency issues; and
WHEREAS, In 1990, Maria Termini was appointed Assistant Commissioner
for the Office of Community Affairs serving as the Department's Liaison
to elected officials, Community Boards, Civic and Merchant Associations,
the Mayor's Community Assistance Unit, the Mayor's Office of Correspond-
ence, the New York City Citizen's Service Center (311), the Mayor's
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Business Improvement Districts,

as well as non-profits such as NY Restoration, GROWNY and Citizens
Committee; and
WHEREAS, Maria Termini's role expanded in 2012, when she became the
Associate Commissioner for the Bureau of Customer Service and Government
Relations; in this position, she represented the Department at high
level meetings with elected officials and forums throughout the city,
served as the Department's ambassador to the community, and served as
advisor to Department officials regarding neighborhood concerns, service
requests and public policy issues; and
WHEREAS, Under Maria Termini's luminous leadership, the Office of
Customer Service and Government Relations implemented educational
outreach efforts and public awareness campaigns; she also recorded the
Department's message in several languages, enabling immigrants to comply
with sanitation laws; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout has been her husband, Joseph Miller, who
feels privileged to be a part of her life and rejoices in her accom-
plishments; and
WHEREAS, In her capacity as Associate Commissioner of the New York
City Department of Sanitation's Division of Customer Service and Govern-
ment Relations, Maria Termini served with loyalty, honor and
distinction; and
WHEREAS, In her official acts, Maria Termini was governed by a keen
sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems; and
WHEREAS, During her tenure with City of New York Department of Sanita-
tion's Division of Customer Service and Government Relations, Maria
Termini earned the admiration, esteem and affection of her colleagues;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Maria Termini upon the occasion of her retirement after 38 years
of distinguished service; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Maria Termini.