ROCKPORT — For all the years that Rockport resident Geoffrey Parker has dedicated to improving and finessing the town’s audio-visual capabilities, citizens thanked him in that enduring way municipalities have: They named a well used public space after him. Henceforth, the downstairs Opera House meeting room shall be known as the Geoffrey C. Parker Meeting Room.

Parker was surprised and honored Aug. 14 when the Rockport Select Board officially announced the recognition.

That night, at a regularly scheduled meeting, Select Board Chairman Ken McKinley invited Parker and Bill Chapman, both Select Board emeriti, to the front of the room and thanked them for their years of public service.

The two have each served multiple terms in Rockport town government, from being select board members to serving on the budget committee, zoning board of appeals, comprehensive plan committee, and more. Parker has even done a stint on the school board.

“The amount of service these two gentlemen have given to the town is unbelievable,” said McKinley. “Now that Im sitting in this chair, I can appreciate what Bill did for an awfully long time.”

The board presented Chapman with an enscribed wooden gavel that he used during his many years as board chairman, and presented both Chapman and Parker with two Peter Ralston photographic prints.

Then McKinley told Parker: “You get a proclamation.”

It read:

Whereas: Mr. Geoffrey C. Parker has faithfully served the Town of Rockport for many years as a member of the Select Board, the School Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and several other municipal committees; and

Whereas: Mr. Parker has been a constant advocate for improved communication between and among citizens, elected officials, appointed board and committee members, and professional town staff; and

Whereas: Mr. Parker has been a leader in developing and advocating for proposals for equipping the Town of Rockport with the state of the art tools to aid in communication and community participation in town government and other civic endeavors; and

Whereas: Mr. Parker has provided his professional expertise to help the Town of Rockport choose the best systems possible to accomplish this town’s goals of improved communication and inclusivity; and

Whereas: Mr. Parker has donated countless hours of his professional time to aid in installing, improving, and maintaining communication systems for the Town of Rockport, most especially in the Rockport Opera House;

Now, Therefore, we, the Rockport Select Board, on behalf of the citizens of the Town of Rockport, do hereby proclaim that from this day forward the large meeting room on the lower level of the Rockport Opera House shall be known as the Geoffrey C. Parker Meeting Room.

Parker’s efforts over the years have included replacing the entire projection system at the Opera House with a technologically advanced system so that concerts and rehearsals, lectures, film screening, plays and performances, art installation, weddings, rehearsal dinners, dances and trade shows are all enhanced.

He also ensured that the sound system of the Opera House, which is revered by musicians and often used by Bay Chamber Concerts, has sophisticated equipment.

Downstairs, in the newly named Geoffrey C. Parker Meeting Room, the audio-visual system is set up for lectures, conferences, gatherings and parties, and has the ability to skype and broadcast to outside media. Like upstairs, the equipment is technologically current.

At the Aug. 14 meeting, Parker graciously accepted the honor, as applause filled the room.

“Five years serving with both of you has been an honor,” said McKinley. “Your service has been tremendous.”

Former executive secretary Stacey Parra had suggested the room be named after Parker, and McKinley acknowledged her. Parra herself is leaving the Rockport Town Office, after accepting the position of Town Clerk in Union.

“The work that Geoff has done in this room is work that largely does not get noticed,” said Town Manager Rick Bates. “The ability to stream live and have people to interact with Livestream is good, and the viewership is growing. For people to actually engage with town government this way is exciting. It is important to the community and Geoff put in a ton of time.”