The Woolwich selectman received a letter from the state planning office November 29, notifying them that the town is no longer in compliance with a state law regarding the town's Code Enforcement Officer. This letter resulted in the resignation of Kenneth Desmond, and the need for a special town meeting scheduled for December 19.

According to the letter from the state planning office Desmond was appointed as code enforcement officer June 20, 2005, and as of June 20, 2006 he had not completely met the terms of his position.

The municipal code enforcement office qualifications and certification standards rule is "upon initial appointment as a municipal code enforcement officer, an individual has a maximum of twelve (12) month to become certified in the specific areas of his or her job responsibilities," according to the letter from the state planning office.

"Mr. Desmond has not completed the necessary examinations within the one year time frame required, therefore he no longer has the authority to perform the duties of the CEO in the areas of building standards or land use. Mr. Desmond's service as an employee of the town may present a liability of any actions he takes while in this situation. I encourage you to take this opportunity to attend to this matter as soon as possible," Sue Baker, CFM Planner in the CEO Training & Certification Program wrote.

The selectmen approached Desmond regarding the situation and he subsequently resigned, citing a "difference of opinion" with the selectmen. In his resignation letter, he apologized for not getting his certification.

The special town meeting to ask voters to separate the positions of CEO and Fire Chief will be held on Wednesday, December 19 at the Woolwich Central School at 5 p.m. In order to advertise for a new fire chief, and a new CEO, they must have the approval of the voters to separate the two positions. In the May 2005 town meeting the voters approved combining the jobs of fire chief, CEO/building inspector for a combined salary $36,500. The salary is currently $38,347.

Should the voters say no to separating the positions, the town would have to advertise for a qualified person to fill both positions. The wording of the town meeting Article is, "To see if the town will vote to separate the positions of fire chief, and the Codes Enforcement Officer/building inspector, effectively returning each position back to a part-time employment status and to appropriate a portion of the salary approved at the May 9, 2007 town meeting ($38,347) to each position as follows: Fire Chief $9,586 and CEO/Building Inspector $28,760." The breakdown is based on 10 hours a week for the fire chief's position and 30 hours a week for the CEO/building inspector's position.

Before coming to Woolwich as fire chief, Desmond was a member of the Bath Fire Department for 17 years, and prior to that he spent 18 years with the Winslow fire department. He has nearly 38 years in the fire service.

Deputy Fire Chief Jake Kaiser will fill the position of fire chief until a new chief is hired. The CEO position is being filed by Rick Lang of Dresden until a replacement can be found. Lang also serves as the town plumbing inspector.

Selectman David King said recently, "We certainly appreciate Ken's service to the town. But we must move forward now and do what is in the best interest of the town. We wish Ken the well."