Friends, family and employees attend a retirement party Friday for Carlo Puiia, who has served as Dixfield town manager for the past four years.

At a retirement party Friday for Carlo Puiia, state Sen. Lisa Keim of Dixfield presented Puiia with a legislative sentiment for serving as Dixfield’s town manager.

DIXFIELD — Employees praised Town Manager Carlo Puiia as “the best boss” and an effective leader at his retirement party Friday afternoon.

“This has been the greatest experience, the last four years,” Puiia said.

He said that sometimes all anyone needs is a pat on the back or the reassurance that someone’s behind them and believes in them.

“And it’s nice to feel that people feel that way about you, too,” he said.

“Nobody has a successful career without help, without learning from others,” Puiia said. “It’s the people who work with that you really learn from, especially department heads.”

Prior to the public open house, town employees, among others, gathered in the basement of Ludden Library to thank Puiia for his service to the town.

“I couldn’t ask for a better leader,” police officer Anne Simmons-Edmunds said.

Randy Glover, who took over as Public Works director three years ago, said Puiia helped him bring the town ahead.

“I couldn’t have done it without him,” Glover said. “He’s taught me a lot and respected my decisions out there and he’s pretty much backed me on everything that we’ve done.”

Library Director Peggy Malley said Puiia was the best boss she’s ever had. “I want to thank you for the support you’ve given to the library,” she said. “I’m going to miss you visiting us and bringing the Peppermint Patties.”

Puiia recalled the hard decision he made in 2014 to leave town government in Rumford, where he had served as a former longtime tax collector and its town manager of more than four years.

“It broke my heart to leave,” he said. “It really did. It’s my hometown; I still care about it. I loved what I did, but I knew I couldn’t stay. But ever since I got here, people have said, ‘Thank you,’ have complimented me and they’ve shown me the respect, like you’re doing today.”

State Sen. Lisa Keim of Dixfield presented Puiia with a legislative sentiment for serving as town manager.