Council President Charles B. Ryan received tributes from current councilors, former officials and the mayor at the Town of Braintree meeting Dec. 16, his final session before leaving the council.

Ryan, who said he moved to Braintree in 1996 and described a long history of local service, told attendees he had been honored to serve. Former mayor Joe Sullivan and others praised Ryan’s leadership through the town’s transition to a council form of government and credited him with steady oversight on public works and capital projects.

Councilors including Flaherty, Baraka, Mark, Oates and others highlighted Ryan’s institutional knowledge, decorum and the constructive tone he set for deliberations. Mayor Joyce presented a formal certificate on behalf of the town recognizing more than 20 years of service and thanked Ryan and his family for their commitment to the community.

Councilors paused to take photographs and offered personal anecdotes about Ryan’s steadiness in emergencies and his ability to work across differences. The session moved on to regular business after the recognition.