The office of the Code Enforcement Housing Officer of the Town Clinton
is hereby created. Appointments to the office of the Code Enforcement Housing
Officer shall be made by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Clinton. The
term of office shall be one year, commencing January 1. A vacancy in the office
shall be filled by the Mayor and Council for the unexpired term only. A newly
hired Code Enforcement Housing Officer will be subject to a six-month probationary
period when the Code Enforcement Housing Officer can be terminated at Town
Council's discretion, with or without cause.
Whenever the Code Enforcement Housing Officer shall ascertain that any of the provisions of Chapter
88, Land Use, are being violated, he/she shall:
A. Promptly notify the person committing such violation
to cease and desist from continuing such violation. In addition, he/she should
inform the person of the nature of the violation, identifying the ordinance
or statute that is being violated. If possible, he/she should offer suggestions
as to a remedy that would cure an alleged violation. If such violation consists
of the construction or erection of an illegal building or structure or an
illegal alteration or conversion of an existing building or structure, he/she
shall take such steps that are appropriate and lawful under the circumstances.
B. Sign and file a complaint alleging the violation in the Municipal Court, in the manner prescribed by law and the rules governing the practice in such Court. With the advice of the Municipal Attorney, he/she may also institute further proceedings in the Superior Court when, in his/her opinion, the same are warranted, to enjoin said violation and to effect the discontinuance thereof. Nothing herein shall prevent any person other than the Code Enforcement Housing Officer from instituting a complaint for any violation of Chapter
88, Land Use, in the manner prescribed by law.
In the enforcement of Chapter
88, Land Use, the Code Enforcement Housing Officer may apply to the Judge of the Municipal Court for a warrant or warrants to search and inspect the properties and premises upon which he/she has reason to believe any violation of Chapter
88, Land Use, has taken or is taking place, and, upon probable cause shown, the Judge may issue such a warrant or warrants in the manner authorized by law, and the information obtained pursuant thereto shall be admissible as evidence in any court of competent jurisdiction for the purposes of proving any case brought for violation of Chapter
88, Land Use.
In addition to the duty of enforcement of Chapter
88, Land Use, and prosecuting the violations thereof, the Code Enforcement Housing Officer shall:
A. Report to the Board of Adjustment with respect to matters which are properly before the Board, and otherwise conduct investigations, report to and be responsible to the Mayor and Council with respect to matters pertaining to the Zone Plan and Chapter
88, Land Use, and otherwise within his/her jurisdiction.
B. Start and maintain an accurate and complete file with respect to every alleged violation of Chapter
88, Land Use, or other matter investigated and processed by him/her.
C. File a monthly report of his/her activities, including
the complaints and cases processed by him/her and the disposition thereof,
with the Mayor and Council of the Town of Clinton.
The salary of the Code Enforcement Housing Officer shall be as set by
the Mayor and Council of the Town.