There is a new code enforcement officer in town and his name is Jason Lorrain. Boothbay selectmen officially welcomed Lorrain during the Aug. 23 board meeting.

Lorrain replaces interim CEO Art Dunlap. Lorrain began working in the office part-time in June. He  job-shadowed Dunlap, learning how the office operated. Once Lorrain obtained all five of the required certifications for a licensed code enforcement officer and plumbing inspector, he started working full-time in the CEO office.

Town Manager Dan Bryer previously served as Boothbay’s code enforcement officer. He congratulated Lorrain for completing his certification so quickly in the five required courses: legal issues, land use, shoreland zoning, licensed plumbing inspector subsurface and local plumbing inspector. Lorrain completed all five certifications in two and a half months.

“Many will take about a year. Jason did it in a remarkably quick fashion,” Bryer said. “I was pretty proud in the time it took me to get my certification, but he beat me by a month and a half.”

Lorrain wasn’t only praised for his diligent work in learning code enforcement procedures. He received praise from selectmen in his practical application of those rules and regulations in the field.

“I heard from a guy very impressed how he handled an insurance question and told other people with a problem to go see Jason because he could help them out,” said Selectman Steve Lewis.

Lorrain begins his tenure as CEO after 17 years in the landscaping business. He owned Mainely Rocks and Landscaping. He changed careers to provide a more reliable income for his family.

“I was looking for something more stable when this job became open. I was looking for a year round position. I know something about shoreland zoning from my landscaping job so I thought I’d give it a try.”

So far, Lorrain’s career change has suited him. “The best part is dealing with the people. Sometimes you’re going to make people mad, but I tell them I enforce the codes, I don’t write them,” he said. “There are not a lot of tough decisions because it’s mostly written in black and white. There’s only a few times when there is a gray area and you need to make a determination.”

Lorrain is not the only new face in the CEO office. Hillary Hyson is working as an assistant CEO. She shares the position with Lori Colton. Hyson works four days per week and Colton works one. Dunlap is expected to retire again from the position once the appeals board completes work on the Anthony family’s appeal regarding Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. The Appeals Board set a Sept. 21 date for making a ruling.

Lorrain, 43, is a 1991 Boothbay Region High School graduate. He grew up in Boothbay Harbor. For six years, he has coached the Boothbay Region Elementary School boys’ basketball teams. He will continue in that capacity this winter.