GREENFIELD — The walls were bare within the mayor’s office at Greenfield City Hall on Friday afternoon as outgoing mayor Chuck Fewell spent his final hours in the space that served as his second home over the past 10 years.
On his desk sat two tarnished gold keys — the keys to the city, he called them — which he handed over to his successor, Guy Titus, around 3 p.m.
The keys not only unlock the mayor’s office and city hall, but a world of opportunity to make positive change within the city both men have long called home.
Fewell soared in popularity since taking over the mayor’s office in December 2013, winning a caucus vote after his predecessor, Dick Pasco, passed away after a cancer battle. Fewell finished the two-year term and was then elected to two consecutive four-year terms as mayor
Fewell and the city have won a number of accolades for projects that unfolded over the past decade, including the start of a $75 million wastewater treatment plant and the development of Depot Street Park.
A Shelbyville native and former Indiana State Police trooper, Fewell said he felt blessed to have had the opportunity to serve a city that he had quickly grown to love.
“It’s been a fun 10 years,” he said on Friday as he chatted with Titus and Greenfield City Council President Dan Riley.
Fewell said he was happy to be handing the job over to someone as likable and capable as Titus, a longtime acquaintance and fellow Republican he endorsed in this year’s mayoral race.
With over four decades working for Greenfield Power & Light — as a meter reader, lineman and most recently business services coordinator — Fewell said Titus had developed a great working knowledge of city government and what it takes to serve the people well.
“Now you’re going to come in here with fresh ideas, something maybe we haven’t thought of, and that’s a good thing,” Fewell told him.
“I had a five-year plan when I came into office and I know he has plans too,” said Fewell, “and he should because he’s the mayor now.”
Titus thanked Fewell for his guidance over the past few months, ever since he won the tightly contested Republican primary in the spring.
“I appreciate everything you’ve done for me,” he said to Fewell, who was sitting behind the desk that would soon become his.
Fewell promised to continue lending guidance and support however he could, but that he was mostly looking forward to seeing Titus continue to move the city forward.
The outgoing mayor credited what he called a strong team of department heads and city employees for the milestones his administration had accomplished over the past 10 years.
“Now I take credit for everything because that’s what we mayors do,” he said with a smile.
Fewell said one of the most rewarding things about serving as mayor has been having Greenfield natives who have moved away tell him that seeing the city’s progress and growing amenities have made them consider moving back.
“That makes you feel good. That’s what you want to hear,” he said.
Titus said he shares Fewell’s vision for making Greenfield the type of “destination city where people want to visit, play, live and raise your family. We’ve got a lot of good amenities started and are going to continue on that path. That’s my goal,” he said.
Titus credited Fewell with leaving behind a solid legacy on which to build.
“He’s left the city in fine shape. I’ve taken over a good situation and I’m just going to continue to build on it,” Titus said.
Fewell called handing over the keys to his office bittersweet as he leaves behind a decade of public service he will always hold dear.
While he’s unsure what retirement will bring, the outgoing mayor said he hopes to continue lending advice and supporting the community in any way he can.
As he heads into a new chapter in life, Fewell said he’ll always look back fondly on the days he spent leading the city from his first-floor office in city hall.
“I’ve enjoyed every minute of it… Well, almost every minute,” he said with a grin.
