Waterford reviews CEO applicants

WATERFORD – The town is without a code enforcement officer (CEO).

In September, Waterford advertised for a new CEO. The town received 11 applications for the position and interviewed five, selectmen said.

“We had two experienced CEOs apply,” said Chairman Randy Lessard at the November 1 meeting. “The others had very good experience in the building trades. We had a good group of candidates.”

Lessard and Selectman Richard Hunt were in attendance at the November 1 meeting. Selectman Wyatt Andrews was not, but he submitted a sealed envelop with his choice for CEO.

“Rick [Rice] is pretty much done as of October 31 as our CEO. He actually extended it a few more days,” said Deputy Clerk Betty Becker. “We had to call him a lot last week. Where do we go from here? We have people calling and we don’t know what to say to them.”

“It depends on what’s in Wyatt’s letter,” Lessard said. “If we're not in unanimous agreement, I don't think we're doing the town any service – this is a three-member board – having one person absent and [two of us] making a decision without discussion is something I’m not comfortable with.”

“I agree,” said Hunt.

Lessard and Hunt went into executive session. When they came out and reopened the selectmen’s meeting, Lessard said that no decision would be made.

“Our thinking was not unanimous, and I think this is an issue that we need to have a discussion about,” said Lessard. “We are unable to make a decision at this time for two reasons. Our thinking was not unanimous, and Wyatt also was supposed to be bringing information after checking resume references, and we don't have that information.”

Lessard said he and Hunt could have voted on the position, but because it was such an important decision he wanted to have a discussion about it, and that was not possible because Andrews was not present at this meeting.

“The CEO is the eyes of the planning board,” said Tony Butterall, chairman of the planning board. “We need the CEO to be there when certain questions are asked, and we have something now that we need him to check.”

“It's a big decision and we need to follow the process that gets us to a good result,” Lessard said. “Until Wyatt is here, so the three of us can talk about it, I'm not comfortable.”

Hunt agreed.

Selectmen said they would take the issue up again at the next selectmen’s meeting on November 8. Until then, one of the selectmen will handle any calls for the CEO.