Edward A. Hewett

I got this over the email lines ...

The late Edward A. Hewett was Newburyport's building inspector for many years. Everyone called him Mr. Hewett. He called himself Mr. Hewett in conversation (as in "Mr. Hewett will study this problem carefully before making a decision.") His memos and letters were awkwardly worded and it was often difficult to figure out whether he was approving or denying something.

His wife was the record owner of several rental properties around town and he would write official correspondence to her as though she was a total stranger, and sign them "Edward A. Hewett, Building Official/Codes Administrator." Mr. Hewett portrayed himself as a strictly-by-the-book administrator, but had a keen eye for what the polical establishment wanted hin to do, and could always come up with a rationale for doing it.