Kevin Tingley, who also serves as Houlton’s code enforcement officer and health officer, resigned from his position as animal control officer in late September, according to Houlton Town Manager Butch Asselin.
Tingley was given the added responsibilities of ACO by the town council in August, 2015 in a move aimed at saving the town money. Tingley was given an increase in his salary of $5,200 to take on the added duties. Previously, the town had a part-time ACO who was paid $10,000 per year.
“Kevin did a fine job, but it became too much,” Asselin said Oct. 4. “We need someone who is available from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and occasionally on weekends. Kevin is quite busy as the code officer so it didn’t work out. It was an experiment that saved the town some money, but it’s a difficult job that can be very time consuming.”
One of the major time constraints for the position, Asselin said, was the need for the ACO to contact all dog owners to make sure their pets’ licenses are renewed each spring. The town has about 1,000 dogs that are licensed annually.
“Also, Kevin could be on a site inspecting a project and then he would get a call about a feral animal and would have to leave,” Asselin said. “I appreciate the time he spent doing the job.”
The town has been advertising for the position, which will go back to being a part-time, 20-hour per week job. The successful candidate must have, or be able to obtain, state certification to become an animal control officer.
The role of an ACO has changed over the years from one of a simple “dog catcher” to now include responding to complaints of feral cats, raccoons, skunks and other wildlife, Asselin said. Until a replacement is found, the town’s police department will have to respond to all animal complaints.
