The Newcastle Board of Selectmen said “thanks, but no thanks” to a cooperative code enforcement proposal in a board meeting Monday, Nov. 24.
A proposal that involves several neighboring towns would give the code enforcement officer six hours a week in Newcastle, when the current position calls for 10 hours a week.
Stan Waltz currently works half time in Wiscasset as the code enforcement officer, and would remain a Wiscasset employee under the proposal. The other four towns – Damariscotta, Newcastle, Nobleboro, and Edgecomb – would reimburse Wiscasset for their share of the position.
Newcastle Selectman Ben Frey opened the discussion by saying he was not a fan of the proposal because Newcastle would have to pay more money for fewer hours.
Selectman Pat Hudson suggested writing a counter-proposal for better hours, cost, and accessibility to public records.
“Wiscasset shouldn’t be keeping Newcastle’s public records,” Hudson said.
Chairman Brian Foote said the board should interview its only applicant for the vacant position of code enforcement officer and licensed plumbing inspector.
The board voted to say, “thanks, but no thanks” to the proposal, and agreed to arrange an interview with the only applicant.
Waltz currently fills the role of part-time code enforcement officer for Damariscotta, Nobleboro, and Wiscasset; and was Newcastle’s code enforcement officer until his resignation in October.
Maine law defines a code enforment officer as a municipal employee who enforces state laws and local ordinances relative to building standards, land regulation, shoreland zoning, and other matters.
