ROCKPORT — He thought he was being summoned to Rockport Fire Dept. administrative meeting June 2 at the town office, but when Allen Mitchell walked into the Richardson Room and noticed his wife, Marge, elegantly dressed to the nines, along with his daughter Jill and granddaughter, Alison Saucier, he was stumped. Surrounded by family, fellow firefighters and town staff, he was suddenly the center of attention – always a hard spot for a taciturn New Englander.

“Well, hello, Allen,” said Rockport Select Board Chair Michelle Hannan.

“Hi, there,” he said, spontaneously receiving a large round of applause.

“We brought you here today because we are dedicating the 2023 Annual Report to you,” said Hannan.

“Why?” said Mitchell, a response that cracked the room up.

The Annual Town Report is a big deal for Maine towns, where all municipal business for the previous year, and the budget for the commencing year, is gathered in one document. There is always a dedication page to a citizen who has worked tirelessly for the town, and this year, it is Mitchell who is being honored.

Hannan thanked him, and handed him a plaque that encapsulated his service.

“Thank you,” said Mitchell. 

A resident  of Rockport since 1986, Mitchell has contributed to the town over the decades, as a member of the fire department, as chair of the town’s Capital Improvement Committee, and serving on the Building Committee that oversaw the construction of the town office during the early 1990s.

“I love Rockport,” he said. “I think it should stay the way that it is. We live in a good place.”

The following is what the town dedication said:

The Town of Rockport is honored to dedicate the 2023 Annual Town Report to Allen Mitchell.

Allen Mitchell was born and raised in Cranston, Rhode Island.  He received his engineering degree from Roger Williams College in Bristol, Rhode Island, has been married to Marge for 52 years, and has been a resident of Rockport since 1986.  He is the father of 3 (Jill, Jan, and Jay) and the grandfather of 6.  

When Allen moved to Maine in 1985, he purchased McCormick and Associates, Inc., and has been the president and owner since that time.  Allen has built many local homes, including an HGTV dream home in 2000 in Northport.

Allen has been an active member of the Town of Rockport Fire Department since moving to Rockport. Through that time Allen has served in a variety of roles and despite an incredibly busy work life, always made time to serve at any time of day or night. Allen’s service to the Town extends well beyond the fire department, using his professional background as a means to help his fellow residents. For decades, Allen served as chair of the Town’s Capital Improvement Committee which ranked and prioritized the needs of Rockport’s infrastructure. During the construction of the most notable of these projects, the Town Office, Allen was a member of the Building Committee.

Outside of Town government, Allen was involved in many local organizations including: the Camden Rotary (current member and past president), United Midcoast Charities; past board member, Maine Association of Realtors; member, Home Builders Association; member and past president, and Midcoast Chamber of Commerce; member and past director.

Thank you Allen for decades of sharing your wit and wisdom for Rockport’s collective benefit!