RICHMOND — The town has a new code enforcement officer, a development director, a new senior services director and a new town clerk.
The job of community and business director is a new title and mission since Economic and Community Development Director Darryl Sterling left for a new job.
Town Manager Marian Anderson has appointed Victoria Boundy to the development post. Boundy currently is planning and environmental manager for the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, an organization charged with trying to redevelop the former Brunswick Naval Air Station.
The job description and title were modified since Sterling left in July, Anderson said, to better reflect a new focus on supporting existing businesses in town.
“The previous position was a little more grant-oriented,” Anderson said. “Now it is more of a support role, someone to work with existing businesses, community boards and committees, the Planning Board, to help them navigate through changes.”
Boundy, who will be paid a salary of about $50,000 a year, starts Oct. 24.
The hires for the other three positions don’t involve new faces; they’re being filled by people already in town.
The new code enforcement officer is Ryan Chandler, who previously was town clerk.
The new town clerk is James Valley, who previously worked in the Town Office and also did building and maintenance work for the town.
Anderson said Chandler, of Richmond, previously underwent some training in code enforcement with a former employer. The position will be shared with the neighboring town of Dresden: Chandler is expected to work 35 hours per week in Richmond, five in Dresden. He will be paid about $35,000 a year.
Anderson said the previous codes officer, Brian Morse, resigned because he found work closer to his home.
Valley, of Richmond, will work about 35 hours a week, at $14.33 an hour, according to Anderson.
Betty Horning, a resident who has been active in many community organizations, has been selected for the part-time position of senior services director, replacing Betty Pratt, who retired.
Selectmen meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Town Office, to consider confirming Anderson’s appointments.
Selectmen will also consider adding another new hire: a proposed new police officer’s position, which would be funded by a federal grant for three years if the town agrees to pay for a fourth year.
The town was recently awarded a $165,000 federal grant to hire an additional police officer, which would bring the department up to six full-time officers.
Police Chief Scott MacMaster said the new officer would have the dual roles of increasing investigative work and filling in for other officers while they are on vacation.
He anticipates having the position would save enough money, by reducing the need for overtime and part-time officers’ hours, to pay for the fourth year of the officer’s salary. The town, if selectmen agree to accept the federal grant, would have to commit to funding the fourth year of that salary.
Selectmen are also scheduled to discuss whether the town will regulate fireworks, now that they are no longer banned by the state. As part of that discussion, officials will review the town’s last fireworks ordinance, passed in 1949.
Keith Edwards — 621-5647
kedwards@centralmaine.com
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