NORWAY – Town officials, businessmen, two state representatives and about 30 other people gathered Friday to mark the start of Customer Appreciation Days.

There was a subplot to the day’s activities as Norway Businessman’s Association President Lesley Dean said, “It’s hooray, it’s almost over day,” in reference to the road construction and repaving on Main Street.

There had been some grumbling by merchants on Main Street because business decreased due to the limited parking, traffic snarls on Main Street and people using side streets to avoid Main Street.

“Traffic increased on Beal Street since the Main Street construction,” said Norway Police Sgt. Rob Federico.

Todd Sawyer, regional coordinator for the central division of Pike Industries that is doing much of the work, said five more nights of paving are necessary to complete the job.

However, due to rain delays crews will not be able to start the final repaving until Sept. 2.

Diane Jackson, representing U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe’s office, said the senator praised the collaborative effort of the merchants, town officials and people of Norway in getting through a difficult time.

“Main Street represents the heartbeat of rural communities and towns in Maine,” Jackson said. A spokesman for Sen. Susan Collins was also at the ribbon-cutting.

State Sen. Rick Bennett, R-Norway, said Norway had the prettiest downtown in Maine and the work being done there was long overdue.

“I think this project will be looked back upon as being the beginning to a great future,” he said.

State Rep. H. Sawin Millett, R-Waterford, also complimented the businessmen and people on their tolerance and understanding about the project.

The construction changed the usual Customer Appreciation Days celebration as merchants opted to cancel the baby parade, Main Street market and other activities. But that didn’t get the merchants down.

“We reinvented these activities several times over the past six to eight years,” Dean said.

William Damon, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, stood in for the town manager and addressed the crowd.

“The most important guy on this whole project is not here,” Damon said. “And that is David Holt, who is on vacation. He was constantly here, walking Main Street, talking to the merchants and checking the work.

“He really loves this town,” Damon said.