NEWBURY — The town saluted a man on Saturday who was the editorial voice of The Daily News for more than three decades.
In a brief ceremony under a clear autumn sky, the Hay Street bridge over the Little River was formally renamed in honor of retired editor William L. Plante Jr.
Standing on what is now the Bill Plante Reflections Bridge, the guest of honor was surrounded by nearly a hundred family members, friends and colleagues.
Selectmen Chairman Joseph Story read aloud the inscription on the bridge's bronze plaque: "In appreciation for writing during half a century of what remains timeless for those who pause here to savor the reflections of their own and of Little River's making."
Plante, 88, retired as executive editor and general manager 23 years ago, but still writes columns regularly for The Daily News, columns which, from time to time, have described the colors of the marsh surrounding the bridge, changing with the light or season.
"It was through reading his columns that I opened my eyes when I drove by here," Story said.
The bridge, which opened in August 2007 after a 476-day reconstruction, is about a mile from the 20 Hay St. home Plante built in 1952 and where he has lived ever since.
Plante and his late wife, Susan, walked that mile and back at least two or three times a week in every season. Later, when Susan Plante was confined to a wheelchair, Plante would wheel her to the bridge.
Acknowledging the dedication as "a heck of an honor," Plante said "the only one I wish were here is Susan." He noted that she died 11 years ago this weekend.
The "reflections" part of the bridge's new name is a reference both to the literal reflection off the Little River and the fact that the span is a good place to stand and reflect.
"This is a good place to cogitate," Plante said. "It's a thinking place."
State Sen. Bruce Tarr, a Gloucester Republican whose district includes Newbury, presented Plante with a citation from the state Senate.
"It's not often that I get to honor a legend," Tarr said.
The new bridge is like its namesake, Tarr said.
"It's solid, practical, but also philosophical," he said. "It makes us think about where we've been and where we're going."
Town Meeting in May 2008 voted to name the bridge after Plante. Officials originally thought they needed to get approval from the Legislature, but they later discovered it wasn't necessary.
The bridge replaced one that was built in 1946.
In addition to his work as a journalist, Plante was active in a number of local civic organizations.
He was one of the founders of the Newburyport Area Industrial Development Corp., which built the Lord Timothy Dexter Industrial Green.
He was also a longtime member and president of the board of directors at Anna Jaques Hospital.
A Newburyport native, Plante was a 1938 graduate of Newburyport High School. He was an Army combat engineer in World War II and graduated from Boston University in 1949.
Plante worked at The Daily News from 1951, starting as a night reporter and ad salesman, until his retirement. He served as executive editor of Essex County Newspapers, which at the time included the Beverly Times and Gloucester Daily Times, as well as The Daily News. He was also president and then executive director of the Massachusetts Newspaper Publishers Association from 1984 until 2004.
The dedication ceremony was followed by a reception at Town Hall on High Road.
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