WILTON – The town’s new code enforcement officer will begin his duties Tuesday just two days before his first Planning Board meeting. Paul Montague of Wilton was chosen from a field of 15 applicants, eight of whom were interviewed for the position, according to Peter Nielsen, town manager.
Although former Code Enforcement Officer Katherine Shoaps had resigned in September, selectmen were focused on replacing the town’s police chief first, he said. Chief Wayne Gallant has been on the job three weeks now.
Nielsen was sorry to see Shoaps leave.
“She was learning so quickly,” he said. “We’re hoping we have the right combination this time,” he added of Montague’s experience and drive.
Montague and his wife moved to Wilton from Cape Cod about a year ago, he said Thursday. Avid whitewater kayakers who visited Maine often, the couple bought 15 acres in Wilton intending to build a home for their retirement some day. He said they moved their plans forward when his wife’s former job became questionable and she gained a job as a clinical coordinator for Head Start here.
Montague comes to the town with enforcement experience of a different sort.
As shellfish constable on Cape Cod, he enforced shellfish regulations. He has a bachelor’s degree in marine zoology and an associate degree in marine underwater construction.
His experience in shellfish regulation enforcement was more complex than simply writing summonses, he said. As head of a municipal department, he was also involved in significant grant-writing for habitat restoration.
“It was more than just being a cop in the resource,” he said. “It was the whole ball of wax in resource management.”
Though a beginner as a code enforcement officer, Montague has the abilities to do the job, according to Nielsen. He had great references, interviewed well and was very personable, he said. He also had experience in ordinance development and enforcement and experience working with boards.
“He’s not only experienced but interested in zoning work,” Nielsen said.
Montague, too, saw parity in the two jobs, though he believes code enforcement is more clear-cut than shellfish regulation.
“Zoning laws have more teeth behind them than environmental regulations,” Montague said.
He is looking forward to beginning his training Tuesday, which will move him closer to achieving the license he is required to have within a year of starting his new job.
“I’m not looking to change the world,” he said. “I’m just excited to be here.”
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