WESTFIELD—The city will be getting some additional help for code enforcement this week, according to Mayor Brian Sullivan.
Sullivan said that the position of code enforcement officer will be starting this week after it was not cut from the city’s budget two weeks ago. While no one has been officially named to the position, Sullivan said that he knows who he would like to perform the task, which will be through the Westfield Police Department. The position will be used to help improve enforcement and compliance of codes and ordinances throughout the city, which has had some complaints in recent history.
Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan (WNG file photo)
“The city had one years ago and over time it was eliminated from the budget,” Sullivan said. “I thought it was something that we needed to reenact and get back on the street.”
The position will be used to enforce a number of city ordinances and codes, from building to health department to zoning to animal control to water bans and more.
“Some of the areas that he’s going to concentrate on are building code, unregistered vehicles, some of the issues that city councilors have been talking about for a while that they can’t really enforce,” Sullivan said.
In addition, Sullivan noted that the city’s building inspector is currently drawing up a list of areas within the city that have become a problem for the city recently, which will also be focused on.
According to Sullivan, the position is being funded through community development block grants that are available through the city’s community development office. However, in spite of the funding coming from there, it will be a position filled through the Westfield Police Department and Chief of Police John Camerota.
The position will not be full-time and scheduling will be done by Camerota, as well, Sullivan said. In addition, the position would require additional training, which may be alleviated if the correct person is chosen.
“There would have to be training in our own codes and ordinances so they know what the legal qualifications are, and we do have a person who is very educated in that,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan also said that the new code enforcement officer may train others in code enforcement, which could allow the city to maintain the position going forward.
