NEW GLOUCESTER – Code Enforcement Officer William Parquette has resigned, effective Sept. 28.

For the past 16 years, Parquette, 64, has enforced state, federal and local ordinances in New Gloucester. He also issues building permits and acts as the town’s plumbing inspector.

Parquette said a code enforcement officer’s job is not a popular one. But, he said working with the public over the years has both positive and negative meaning for him. “A lot of people don’t understand the process to accomplish what they would like to see happen yesterday.

“Disputes between neighbors in 99 percent of the time are not the town’s business. Nor are boundary disputes,” he says.

Parquette said he investigates roughly three illegal actions a week. Most cover accumulations of junk cars or unregistered cars.

As code enforcement officer, Parquette has the authority to bring people to court. But, more often, he said, most people are willing to resolve disputes with consent decrees.

Parquette’s retirement on Sept. 28 corresponds to the same date he started his duties in 1987.

He’s looking forward to fishing, his favorite pastime, and doing chores at home, he said. He works part-time as the plumbing inspector for Sabattus and Wales.

“I figured this was a good time to look at this as a turning point,” he said by telephone. Recently, Town Manager William Cooper had tendered his resignation also, opting for retirement when the town hires a new town manager.

Local ordinances that fall under his jurisdiction include land use ordinances, shoreland zoning, subdivision regulations, adult entertainment ordinances, sludge ordinances, timber harvesting, and fire prevention and protection.

Parquette is required to issue occupancy permits, and enforce natural resource protection laws, state rules governing junkyards, Americans with Disabilities Act rules and national fire code regulations.

A search for a full-time code enforcement officer is under way.