After a long search, the Zoning Commission at its May meeting voted to appoint Eric Knapp as the new zoning enforcement officer (ZEO). Knapp is currently serving as the ZEO for the Town of Clinton.

Knapp will start in Westbrook on June 4 working part-time for 19 hours per week. He will remain on part-time status through the month of June. Then on Monday, July 2, the beginning of the new fiscal year, he will shift to full-time status, working 40 hours a week.

First Selectman Noel Bishop confirmed that once Knapp begins working full-time, he will be earning an annual salary of $63,038.

In the past two years, since former ZEO Nancy Rudek resigned, the town has relied mainly on temporary part-time ZEO staffing. With searches for a new permanent ZEO being mostly unsuccessful, two staff members of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments agreed to help. With Knapp’s arrival, the town will once again have full-time coverage in the Land Use Office.

“We’re very excited that Eric will be joining the land use team,” said Zoning Commission Chairman Tony Marino.