'This is the end of an era here': Retiring Tiverton Town Clerk Nancy Mello gets car parade sendoff

TIVERTON — It was all planned down to the second — the 15-minute closed-door meeting at 3:30 Friday afternoon with the town administrator and town solicitor, the cake and gifts in town council chambers with Town Hall staff at 3:45, then outside for the surprise car parade from well-wishers to mark the retirement next month of beloved Town Clerk Nancy Mello.

She walked out of the side door of Town Hall not knowing what was outside and was greeted by music, sirens and a small crowd of masked people. Two of her grandchildren, Maddie and John Mello, stood in the middle of Highland Road holding a banner that read “NANCY’S PARADE. WE WILL ALL MISS YOU!”

In the center was the town seal encased by a red heart. It was made by town resident and active town volunteer Barbara Pelletier.

Behind them was Police Chief Patrick Jones, his lights flashing and siren blaring as he got out of his car that blocked traffic from the north. He directed the more than 40 vehicles that had lined up at Fort Barton School down the hill to turn right onto Highland, passing Mello with their horns honking as she sat on the bumper of Town Administrator Chris Cotta’s truck and took it all in.

She held a large bouquet of flowers sent by Lil’ Bear restaurant. She wore a red mask emblazoned with the words “I can’t wait to retire” in white letters that was handed to her by her daughter Liz as the parade began.

“Oh my goodness,” she said as she waved to the cars, calling out the names of some people who slowed to hand off balloons.

The Senior Center bus stopped and a town worker handed a large plant to clerk Jeanne Spencer, who carried it to Mello’s car. Town resident Renee Jones threw a gift out the window as she passed.

A message from the library staff was attached to the passenger door of an SUV. Fire Chief Bruce Reimels passed in his black SUV with red lights flashing and siren blaring, followed by Fire Marshal Daniel Murphy, police cars, a fire truck and rescue.

It was over in 15 minutes, but some came back and parked. Democratic Town Committee Chairman Michael Burk read a number of proclamations sent by Gov. Gina Raimondo, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Rep. David Cicilline and Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea.

Mello’s husband, Steve, stood next to her and piled them up in his arm. State Sens. James Seveney and Louis DiPalma arrived and presented her with proclamations.

Mello has worked at Town Hall for 28 years full time, and two years on a part-time basis before that. She’s been town clerk for 16 years and will retire when a new town clerk is elected Nov. 3.

The surprise retirement parade was planned by many, including Deputy Clerk Jeannie Veegh, who said they were able to keep it a secret for weeks, even with people calling town hall to ask her about it so they could take part.

“I couldn’t get the high school marching band because they don’t have one right now,” Veegh said, because of COVID-19.

Videographer Andrew Rys played “The Stars and Stripes Forever” from his computer when Veegh texted him and the police chief that they were headed outside. “She thought that was it,” Veegh said of the staff giving her a plaque and gifts inside when she emerged from the closed door meeting. “This was surprise part two,” Veegh said of the parade.

“It was quite a sendoff,” Mello said.

“I didn’t know I was so appreciated, but I certainly feel it today,” she told those who had gathered around her at the end of the event.

“I was quite surprised by the plaque and cake,” Mello said of the gathering of Town Hall employees just before the close of business Friday. “When they said to go outside, I assumed people were here, but I didn’t expect police cars and ambulances and senators. It was heartwarming to see some of the people, friends we’ve had since my kids were little, old neighbors.”

Town Councilman Joseph Perry said he’s known Mello for 45 years and said she is truly “dedicated to the community. She’s always looking to help anybody. She’s a big asset to the town, and to me personally when I first got on the council. She was the mother hen who took me under her wing.”

His wife Brenda said Mello “goes above and beyond.”

A native of Portsmouth, Mello has held numerous positions at Town Hall. She has been treasurer and tax collector. As clerk, she is also clerk to the Board of Canvassers so she helps orchestrate elections. She’s also clerk to the Probate Court. And she’s been acting town administrator six times over the years.

“The pleasure of working with Nancy is she is true Tiverton,” said Jones, who became chief 2½ years ago. “Since I’ve been chief, Nancy has been acting town administrator twice. She’s compassionate, she’s understanding, she’s approachable and knows how to calm the crazy. She just cares so much about the town, and all of us.”

Marylou Sullivan, administrative assistant to the town administrator said of Mello: “I have nothing but amazing respect for her since the first day I got here eight years ago. There’s no one she won’t help. We’ve learned a lot from her. It will be tough,” when she’s no longer there.

She’s “fair and balanced,” said Burk. “She’ll be missed.”

“You have no idea how much she’ll be missed,” said Kelly Perry, assistant tax collector. “She’s phenomenal. She’s kind, generous, and so, so giving. As a department head, she worked alongside you tirelessly,” Perry said of when she worked in the clerk’s office. “She’s a beautiful person, inside and out.”

“This is the end of an era here,” said Jay Edwards, chairman of the town’s Budget Committee.

As she stood next to the door of her office, ready to go back inside, Town Solicitor Michael Marcello called to her, laughing: “You’re not retired yet. Can we get back to work now?”