WOODLAND, Maine — Town officials surprised longtime highway department employee Joe McEwen on Tuesday, presenting him with a a custom jacket to honor his more than 45 years of service to the community.
McEwen’s name was written on the front of the jacket, above the words “45+ Years.”
The presentation, made during the Feb. 20 selectmen’s meeting, had not been made part of the agenda so as to surprise McEwen.
Selectman Carl Grant brought the topic up during the public comment portion of the meeting, saying, “Joe has been an employee for over 45 years, and he’s still working with us.”
McEwen, humbled by the recognition, laughed and said, “I’m showing up.”
“We would like to present you with this jacket as a ‘Thank you’ for your service,” Grant continued. “Continue the good work; we hope you don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.”
“Yeah I do,” McEwen joked, “I’m leaving tonight,” eliciting laughter from guests.
“Good job on the 45 plus years,” said Selectman William Barnum.
“Thank you,” said McEwen. “You people didn’t have to do this, you know.”
Selectman Tom Drew added that Highway Foreman Chris Fournier was the “mastermind” behind the presentation.
Town Clerk Janet Schofield said that McEwen had recently retired, roughly around 2013, but that he came back last year to help Fournier, who was unable to find suitable help at the time. This, according to Drew and Schofield, inspired Fournier to give McEwen the jacket.
“Just don’t wear it in the cow barn, Joe,” joked Drew. “It’s a nice jacket.”
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- Woodland Selectman William Barnum holds up a custom jacket presented on Feb. 20 to public works employee Joe McEwen, who has served the town for more than 45 years. (Christopher Bouchard)
