Thursday, October 1, 2026
After three decades of service — 25 of them with the Village of Freeport’s Department of Public Works — Arnold McKelvey is hanging up his uniform. Co-workers, friends, and former supervisors gathered recently at Catcher’s Fish House and Grille on the Nautical Mile to celebrate his retirement.
“I will miss the job,” McKelvey said. “I catch myself wanting to stop and deal with things I see on the street.”
McKelvey began his career with the Village as a meter reader before finding his true calling in sanitation. For a quarter century, he helped residents and businesses keep Freeport’s streets tidy.
“Arnold’s deep knowledge of sanitation practices, his steady professionalism and his commitment to maintaining high standards have earned him the respect of his colleagues, residents and Village officials alike,” says Department Public Works Superintendent Robert Fisenne. “Throughout his career, Arnold has been a cornerstone of the Village’s sanitation operations.”
While McKelvey worked in several departments over the years, he said DPW was where he felt most at home.
“It can always be challenging when you work with the public,” says McKelvey, who says he never had to write a ticket in his 25 years with DPW. “Most people either didn’t know the regulations or misread them. If you read them and follow them, you’ll be fine. You also need to use common sense.”
“I would tell people, ‘When in doubt, don’t put it out,’ ” McKelvey says with a laugh. “I always felt I was making a contribution to the town I live in. I’ve lived here all my life and being part of the community is important to me.”
Mayor Robert Kennedy praised McKelvey’s professionalism and positive attitude.
“He didn’t just do his job,” says Mayor Kennedy, “he did his job with respect and a smile. It does help when you’re talking to someone about rules, regulations and fines that you have patience and want to help them understand the process. We don’t necessarily want to give tickets. We want to fix the problem, and he understood that. He will be missed.”
“His decades of service reflect not only hard work, but also a genuine pride in serving the community he calls home,” Fisenne added. “His contributions and presence will be greatly missed, but his legacy of dedication and integrity will continue to guide those who follow in his footsteps.”
Now officially retired, McKelvey says he plans to enjoy some well-earned rest before deciding what’s next.
“Like with everything else, wherever God leads me is where I’ll go,” McKelvey says. “I am looking forward to some rest and relaxation, but also whatever is the next chapter. If I can positively touch someone’s life along the way …”
