AUBURN – Bill Palman barely glanced over his shoulder as a siren pierced the air Tuesday morning on Court Street.

At 84, nothing much surprises him anymore.

He turned his attention back to the long-handled brush he was using to wash windows at the HRH building – a job he’s had since the building went up in 1976. Carefully squeegeeing it from top to bottom, he finished the job with short, horizontal strokes.

Perfect.

He would have kept at it if Colleen Rioux, of the insurance company’s bond department, hadn’t invited him in for a slice of coffee cake.

Then he was surprised.

Assembled in a gaily decorated conference room were HRH staff, city officials, family and friends to celebrate and recognize Palman’s 61 years of washing windows for downtown businesses.

“This is for you, Mr. Palman,” exclaimed Rioux, as guests applauded.

Momentarily stunned, Palman broke into a wide grin that didn’t fade as well-wishers expressed their appreciation for his hard work, always delivered with a smile.

“He’s such a wonderful man,” said Rioux, who organized the tribute. “Everyone who he comes in contact with is greeted with a friendly smile and cheery hello. Everyone knows him.”

One is Lewiston Councilor Ron Jean, who recalled watching Palman and his brother, Ray, do their jobs as a kid growing up on Lisbon Street.

“Your contributions have not gone unnoticed,” said Jean as he handed Palman a certificate of appreciation, praising his “steadfast professionalism and diligence.”

Mayor John Jenkins chimed in, as well.

“Your outstanding and unwavering service allows us to see our community with clear vision,” said Jenkins, as guests good-naturedly groaned at his puns. “Do you take apprentices? I’m looking for a new job.”

But the warmest words were offered from the people who for years have waved to Palman through the plate glass windows he washes weekly at HRH. Nancy Peters so appreciates his warm greetings that she wrote a poem in his honor. The last verse:

“He inspires us all to do our jobs

For as long and as well as we can

There’s a special place in the heart of God … for the working man.”

“I just hope this is me you’re talking about,” joked Palman, clearly moved by all the attention.

“I’m kind of overwhelmed,” he said.

He never expected such a tribute when he joined his father in Lewiston Window Cleaning back in August 1946. His dad founded the company first in New York City, then moved to Massachusetts and Portland before finally settling in Lewiston.

Back then, the downtowns of Lewiston and Auburn were bustling retail centers. The storefront windows were key advertising displays and had to be sparkling clean.

“There were several shoe stores and eight-to-10 ladies stores,” he said. “Penney’s, Sears, Peck’s, they were all downtown.”

In particular, Ward Bros. on Lisbon Street stood out as a class act.

“They brought up professional window trimmers from Portland or Boston every month,” he said. “They really knew how to dress a window.”

Of course 60 years in any business will lead to an occasional mishap. He recalls one dicey moment when he was cleaning windows on the third floor of Peck’s department store. Working from a ledge outside the women’s dressing rooms, he’d been assured by a clerk that no one was inside changing. But then the clerk left her post.

“Meanwhile a customer comes in and begins” – Palman flings his arms wide – “to disrobe,” he said. “I just froze. She never noticed.”

“As soon as she got out, I got in,” he said, chuckling. “That’s an awful way to meet people.”

Today, he limits his washing to first-floor windows. But that’s the only concession to his age. He still works full time, year-round, in any weather.

“That’s how you find out how good you are,” he quipped.

And he has no intention of retiring. And why should he, with all the fancy equipment his friends at HRH gave him? A gold-handled squeegee, a gold-star patterned bucket and a new L.L. Bean Gortex anorak were among the gifts specially selected for him.

“I tried it, and I liked it,” he said of his occupation. “I’ve had a lot of fun over the years.

“You meet the nicest people.”