City Code Department gets half-time replacement
NORWICH – Filling the Ordinance Inspection Officer position in the City of Norwich Codes Department has been an ongoing issue for the city council, and with the departure of retired police officer Murray Roach, the city is taking a different approach in re-filling the position.
In January, Roach announced he would be leaving the Code Enforcement Department for another position, and since that time, the City of Norwich has been trying to determine if and how they should fill the position.
The Finance/Personnel Committee originally decided that due to the high work load the department sees, filling the position was in their best interest. However, they were concerned about the retirement and benefit costs associated with keeping the position open at 36 hours a week.
Last week, the committee approved the provisional appointment of current police officer Dale Smith to the position. Instead of working 36 hours a week, Smith, an assistant chief at the Norwich Police Department, will be working 16 hours a week as a code enforcement officer, in addition to his regular hours at the police department.
Code Enforcement Officer Jason Lawrence explained that while the decrease in hours will mean less coverage by city codes, he doesn’t yet know how the change will affect the department. Initially, Lawrence had been concerned that by downgrading the hours for the position, the department would not be able to be as proactive as it previously was. However, upon the hiring of Smith, Lawrence seemed more confident. “Dale Smith is a member of the police department, and people from that area are good at patrolling,” Lawrence explained.
Although Smith will be working full-time at the police department and part-time in codes, City Human Resources Director Debbie Deforest explained that neither position is at risk of accruing overtime expenses. Smith will receive a stipend-like payment for the additional work he is undertaking. His appointment to the ordinance officer position is temporary.
“Finding someone has been hard. Right now this is a temporary, provisional appointment to get us through until we can find out what is the best way to go,” Lawrence said.
The Finance/Personnel Committee also approved hiring additional help for the department during holidays, spring break and summer. A college intern will be helping the department with paperwork and back logs.
DeForest said the city may consider adding another part-time employee in the summer months. “We’re trying to determine the best way to go. We’ll try this approach first,” DeForest said. She explained that the codes department is typically busier in the summer months. The money for the positions is in the budget.
In January, Roach announced he would be leaving the Code Enforcement Department for another position, and since that time, the City of Norwich has been trying to determine if and how they should fill the position.
The Finance/Personnel Committee originally decided that due to the high work load the department sees, filling the position was in their best interest. However, they were concerned about the retirement and benefit costs associated with keeping the position open at 36 hours a week.
Last week, the committee approved the provisional appointment of current police officer Dale Smith to the position. Instead of working 36 hours a week, Smith, an assistant chief at the Norwich Police Department, will be working 16 hours a week as a code enforcement officer, in addition to his regular hours at the police department.
Code Enforcement Officer Jason Lawrence explained that while the decrease in hours will mean less coverage by city codes, he doesn’t yet know how the change will affect the department. Initially, Lawrence had been concerned that by downgrading the hours for the position, the department would not be able to be as proactive as it previously was. However, upon the hiring of Smith, Lawrence seemed more confident. “Dale Smith is a member of the police department, and people from that area are good at patrolling,” Lawrence explained.
Although Smith will be working full-time at the police department and part-time in codes, City Human Resources Director Debbie Deforest explained that neither position is at risk of accruing overtime expenses. Smith will receive a stipend-like payment for the additional work he is undertaking. His appointment to the ordinance officer position is temporary.
“Finding someone has been hard. Right now this is a temporary, provisional appointment to get us through until we can find out what is the best way to go,” Lawrence said.
The Finance/Personnel Committee also approved hiring additional help for the department during holidays, spring break and summer. A college intern will be helping the department with paperwork and back logs.
DeForest said the city may consider adding another part-time employee in the summer months. “We’re trying to determine the best way to go. We’ll try this approach first,” DeForest said. She explained that the codes department is typically busier in the summer months. The money for the positions is in the budget.
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