March 28, 2024
Archive

St. George selects new code officer, plumbing inspector

ST. GEORGE – Job changes and role shifting resulted in the hiring of a local man this week to fill the new full-time code enforcement officer-plumbing inspector’s job.

Ralph Eugley of St. George will be trained for the posts, said Tim Polky, assistant to the town manager.

Eugley does not have experience as a code officer, Polky said Thursday. But he was considered the top choice for the position. There were four other applicants, some of whom were certified code officers, he said.

Since May 1988, Eugley has worked for the town of Thomaston in various positions – as an emergency dispatcher, public works crewman and police reserve officer. He also has been a firefighter in that town and currently is a captain.

About four years ago, Polky was the full-time code officer.

At that time, the position was split and he served as code officer and assistant to the town manager.

Now, Polky said he will work full time as assistant to the town manager but also will wear many other hats, as does the town manager.

As the town continues to grow, the plan is to prepare the town for that growth, he said. That will include cross-training employees so there is a backup for everyone’s position.

The town also is facing other decisions, such as whether to create a public works department and provide other public safety services, Polky said.

The latest budget included funds to start a planning department, Polky said, which for now he will head.

The planning office will handle updating the land use ordinance and comprehensive plan and will begin work on adopting a building code, which is something the town lacks, he said.

Town Manager John Falla was on vacation this week and Polky was filling his role.

Polky, however, said he did not know the salary Eugley will be paid for the full-time position. He estimated Eugley’s annual pay to be less than $30,000.

Eugley will begin work in mid-May, Polky said.

Thomaston Town Manager Valmore Blastow said Thursday that Eugley had given his resignation notice, which is effective May 18. The town will have a vacancy in the public works department that will need to be filled, he said.


Have feedback? Want to know more? Send us ideas for follow-up stories.

comments for this post are closed

You may also like