HOULTON, Maine — With spring in full bloom, a familiar sight has yet to make its appearance in the Shiretown.
The iconic Boy with the Leaking Boot statue, located at Pierce Park near the Houlton Police and Fire departments, has been noticeably missing from its fountain pedestal this spring.
According to Houlton Fire Chief Milton Cone, the fountain is receiving a bit of a makeover with a new touch of blue paint where the water collects. Cone and members of the town’s fire department have been instrumental over the years in making sure that the fountain is in top working order.
“This is the time of the year when we historically bring the boy out from its winter resting home inside the lobby of the Houlton Police Department,” Cone said. “In the spring we usually have to clean out the pipes and give it a fresh coat of paint. This year, we wondered ‘Is there anything we can do to protect it better and increase the longevity of the fountain?’”
To accomplish that goal the department decided to spend a little extra time getting the pedestal ready by grinding all of the calcium buildup and existing paint off the base of the fountain. Once that step was completed, a new paint system, similar to what is used on automobiles, was painted onto the fountain.
Multiple coats of the special paint, which requires time to cure in between each application, have been applied to the pedestal. Cone said the reason people see the fountain covered with a tarp is to ensure the curing process is flawless.
“It has to remain completely dry for seven days after each application,” he said. “We wanted to take the time and do it right, so that the statue can be enjoyed for many years to come.”
The statue is expected to be placed on the fountain, trickling water from its iconic boot, in time for Memorial Day weekend.
