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Showing posts with label Code Enforcement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Code Enforcement. Show all posts

Friday, July 4, 2025

Raymond appoints new lead Code Enforcement Officer

By Dina Mendros

The Raymond Code Enforcement Office has a new head of the department, but he isn’t exactly a new face. Jason Williamson was hired last July as the assistant head of the town’s Code Enforcement Office, and after some on-the-job training by Chris Hanson, he was promoted to his new position by the Raymond Select Board on June 9.

Jay Williamson has been promoted from
Assistant Code Enforcement officer to
be the head Code Enforcement Officer
for the Town of Raymond by the
Raymond Select Board. He has worked
for the town since July 2024.
COURTESY PHOTO   
Williamson, 46, who is married with two young children built a home in Raymond and he and his family moved there about four years ago. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire and has a background in carpentry and building.

He says he got to a point where he didn’t think carpentry and building was a kind of work that he could do for many more years, so he decided to go into code enforcement.

“I thought maybe this would be a good transition for me,” he said.

Williamson says he enjoys his code enforcement job, which he finds both challenging and rewarding.

“The biggest challenges, I would say are when you’re dealing with some issues that crop up with neighbors,” he said. “It seems like you’re taking sides … but you’re really trying to be fair and not infringe on anybody’s rights.” Getting people to see the other side’s point of view “can be extremely difficult,” he said.

Some of the most rewarding parts of his job, Williamson says, include “I’ve gotten to meet a lot of really great people.” He said, “it’s nice when you can help someone figure out and navigate the ordinances and the codes to build a house.”

Also rewarding, Williamson said, is helping people figure out how to work with some of their land so they can sell it to a relative for them to build a house.

“It’s definitely rewarding if you can get somewhere for someone to live,” he said. “Housing is difficult to find these days and when someone can put on an addition to bring in an aging parent or for their child who can’t afford a place. I would say that’s probably the most rewarding.”

An important part of the job, Williamson says, has to do with enforcing shoreline zoning and protecting the waterways, as much of the building that takes place in Raymond is along or near lakes.

For example, in 2021 the town of Raymond was alerted to significant changes along Sebago Lake that violated shoreline zoning. The property owner reached a settlement in the past year which included payment to the town of $640,000 for legal fees and damages as well as replanting trees and shrubs and more, according to a report aired on WGME television.

Although this took place before Williamson was hired, he says that he’s responsible for making sure the remediation takes place and is on track.

“Protecting the water quality, making sure and informing homeowners when they are doing projects in and around the lakes and showing them how to do it in a manner that’s going to be respectful to the lake,” is one of his biggest responsibilities. Williamson said, “Everybody wants to do what they want with their property, but most people understand that there’s a responsibility of being down by the water. When you get people who understand is the most rewarding, I would say.”

According to Williamson, there’s no such thing as a typical day in code enforcement because “each situation can be so different.”

“Some days you might have two, three, four people come in just to make a complaint,” he said. “Other days you’ll have a lakefront property come up for sale and you’ll be fielding calls from real estate agents pretty much one right after the other because the competition is so fierce.”

Other reasons a typical day is hard to define, Williamson said, can be because the types of duties the department takes on not only includes code enforcement but also building inspections and land use. There are a lot of different responsibilities to the job and with only four people in the department, with only two of whom are code enforcers, staff are filling a lot of different shoes.

During his tenure with the town of Raymond’s Code Enforcement Office, Williamson says, “I’ve learned how difficult and multifaceted the job is. I hope I can perform in the job as well as I can.” <

Friday, September 25, 2020

New Code Enforcement Officer continues to provide professional service to town of Raymond

By Lorraine Glowczak

Alex Sirois is the new Code
Enforcement Officer for the town 
of Raymond.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

Alex Sirois recently joined the town of Raymond as the new Code Enforcement Officer, replacing Scott Dvorak who accepted a similar position with the town of Gray.

A code enforcement officer is responsible for evaluating, educating, and enforcing local codes as well as providing other administrative services that fit within code enforcement guidelines.

It is a respected and important civic position, but how often has an adult heard a child say, “I want to grow up to be a code enforcement officer”? As a result, there are not a lot of people who seek to be a CEO, therefore the supply of qualified individuals is limited.

“The position of Code Enforcement Officer can be a difficult one to fill, but Raymond has been fortunate to have always had dedicated and talented professionals join our staff,” said Raymond Town Manager Don Willard.

Sirois, a 2006 Poland High School graduate, comes with a lot of experience and educational background that contributes to the professional service he can offer the residents of Raymond. He is a graduate of the New England School of Communications out of Husson College, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Communication.

“It may be a surprise to most people, but I use my degree all day long in my position as a Code Enforcement Officer,” Sirois said. “Communicating effectively and proactive listening are both imperative to the success of this position and my educational background has prepared me well.”

Sirois has gained much experience in a variety of Civil Service and Town positions as well, that included working for the Cable TV Department for the Town of Poland which opened the doors to a
CEO administrative position.

“While I worked in Poland in the Code Enforcement Office, I went through code enforcement training and gained my certifications.”

After a few years at Poland, Sirois applied and was selected by the Town of Casco to be their Code Enforcement Officer. 

“I was ready to make the jump from an administrative position to a manager’s position within the field of code enforcement, and I was happy to be selected and loved working for the Town of Casco,” Sirois said.

Sirois spent four years with Casco and was ready for a new challenge when Dvorak’s position became available.

“I’m finding that the people in Raymond are great to work with,” Sirois said. “People are very understanding of the state and local rules and requirements. There is a very good citizen base here.”

Upon his arrival, Sirios quickly went to work to increase code enforcement efficiency by updating a permit software system. This new system allows town residents to quickly fill out required forms, creating a more easy and user-friendly method to obtaining information and building permits.

“It is true that the COVID 19 pandemic has created some challenges, but we are working hard to move forward into a successful 2021,” Sirios said.

Fee scheduling has also been reviewed since Sirois’ arrival.

“Fee scheduling is revised periodically every couple of years after surveying other towns that are comparable in size and location to our own,” said Sirois. “Since the review, the fees have not changed or increased dramatically. This periodic review is important so that we are in alignment with other communities and to offset the increase of expenses in order to provide improved services.”

Many within the Town of Raymond are pleased with their new Code Enforcement Officer, including Willard himself.

“I think Alex will prove to be a good fit and will improve the function of this service for our town,” Willard said.<