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Town board approves full-time codes officer hire with probation condition after debate
Summary
After extended discussion about experience and department capacity, the New Hartford Town Board approved hiring Jean Whipple as a full-time codes enforcement officer at $32.97 an hour, contingent on county civil-service confirmation of a three-month probationary appointment.
The New Hartford Town Board voted to appoint Jean Whipple to the town's full-time codes enforcement position at $32.97 an hour, contingent on confirmation from the county civil-service office that the hire can be made as a probationary appointment.
Board members spent more than an hour weighing the single full-time applicant's experience against the growing demands on the town's codes department. Council members urged caution, noting New Hartford's rising permit volume and concerns about incomplete inspections, while others emphasized the operational need to fill a long-vacant position.
Town staff told the board they had advertised for both full- and part-time roles, interviewed the candidate and discussed the hire with the department head. The board accepted a plan to proceed with a contingent appointment: staff will verify with county civil service that a three-month probation applies and that the town can document performance expectations during that period. If issues arise during probation, the board discussed options including extending review or relying on the statutory civil-service process.
The motion was moved and seconded on the floor and approved by roll call. The appointment follows the board's earlier acceptance of incumbent George Farley's resignation from full-time status; Farley will continue as a part-time codes officer to help with transition while the town recruits additional support.
The board also discussed training requirements, the need for clearer inspection scheduling, and the larger problem of overdue fire and safety inspections. Several council members reiterated that, if hirees do not meet performance expectations, the town should act quickly but fairly, using the probationary review and civil-service rules.
Next steps: staff will confirm the civil-service status and probationary terms with the county, finalize start dates and set a schedule for six-month check-ins. The town indicated additional part-time hires would be pursued to backfill coverage.
Votes at a glance: The board approved the appointment on a roll call at the meeting; the appointment included the contingency requiring verification from county civil service.
