On Wiscasset Assessor’s Agent Sue Varney’s final day on the job Friday, the Wiscasset woman took a long lunch and left work early. She also came in late that morning, she said.

“Oh, she’s been doing that for years,” Selectmen’s Vice Chairman Ben Rines Jr. joked. His response to Varney’s recap of her day set off laughter among those within earshot as Varney mingled with fellow residents and current and past town officials at her retirement reception.

“I would have liked to go out quietly,” Varney told celebrants moments earlier at the podium inside the Wiscasset Community Center’s senior center. “This is very nice. Thank you very much,” she added.

Selectmen presented Varney with a mantle clock. Chairman Pam Dunning said it was being given even though Varney would no longer need to always know the time, as she had to in her working years.

Instead, the clock was for tracking the time on days spent out lying in the sun or visiting the town office, Dunning said; it was also to show the town’s appreciation of Varney’s dedication and the quality of her service, Dunning told her.

State Sen. Chris Johnson, D-Somerville, handed Varney a legislative sentiment in honor of her 37 years of service to Wiscasset. Varney was still in high school when she started work for the town, the sentiment states. It notes her most recent job as assessor’s agent and human resources officer and her past service in numerous roles including town clerk, payroll clerk and administrative assistant.

“We extend to Ms. Varney our congratulations on her well-earned retirement and our best wishes,” the sentiment reads.

Also taking to the podium was Nancy Weeks, a friend and colleague in the field of taxes.

Weeks, who works for Maine Revenue Services, said Varney successfully learned about tax increment financing districts (TIF’s) and other complex tax matters.

“Other towns should be so lucky to have someone like Sue,” Weeks said. She could envision Varney looking over the shoulder of the next person in the job, telling them they had better get it right because so much work went into the records, Weeks added.

Other attendees also praised Varney’s service, said they were happy for her, and commented that her longevity is rare in municipal government.

In discussing her retirement plans in November, Varney said she would travel to visit with grandchildren and other family members. She’ll continue to live in Wiscasset, she said.