By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — The code enforcement office is seldom a dull place.

The phones are ringing. The e-mails are lining up in the queue. People are applying for building permits while other folks need their home’s construction or plumbing inspected. There’s been reports that someone is violating a shoreland ordinance by cutting down trees and another person built the deck too close to the water. Then, the recent adult recreational-use marijuana law’s passage brought in a whole crop of questions from would-be entrepreneurs.

Code enforcement is out straight these days. 

Naples Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) Renee Carter will be leaving the busy department for retirement — following almost a decade of employment with the Town of Naples. 

Some might aim for peace and quiet as the objective of retirement. But, Carter has some creative goals on her agenda. She hopes to delve into her artistic side. She has lined up permits to teach classes to children and adult when social gathering restrictions are lifted. 

Her last day as CEO is June 25 of this year.

She answered a few questions about her time with the Town of Naples and what she plans to do when she has more time on her hands.  

B-News: You are retiring after 36 years in code enforcement, will your end date make that 36 or 37 years? 

Carter: I started working in Harrison in 1985, so it is 36 years. I worked in Harrison for 10 years and then worked in the Town of Gray for 5 years and then the Town of Windham for 12 years. I have been here [in Naples] since October 2012. 

I am very thankful to the Town of Naples for hiring me when they did. You see, I had just had a serious head-on collision in July of 2012, and I came to the interview with my walker. I told the interview committee how honored I was not only being asked to be interviewed but to be alive because if I had not had the Naples Fire and Rescue come to my accident I would not have survived. Their quick response was what saved my life, and I will be forever grateful. 

B-News: You’ve been with Naples for 10 years— what are the top accomplishments in code enforcement department?

Carter: When I was interviewing with the committee, they kept asking me if I had any problems with enforcing and following through on the ordinances as written. If you remember when you first interviewed me, I said, “A new sheriff has arrived in Town.” And, I did work hard on enforcing for the Town’s ordinance because these are the laws of Naples and I honored them. When I first started, we had many “single” ordinances and in need of organizing all of them into one Land Use Ordinance which we are hopefully adopting this year at the town meeting.  One of the many ordinances that we changed was getting rid of the in-law apartment and making an ordinance for accessory apartments. It gives taxpayers the ability to have an apartment, but it also allows them to rent these small apartments and I think in this economy the Town needs that.  

B-News: You told the Naples Board of Selectmen that when you retire, you hope to have time to do art. What type(s) of art do you do? Do you plan on doing art simply for enjoyment? Is there a home-based business or going to crafts fairs in your future, going to art workshops & classes?

Carter: I built a small studio on my land where my house is located in Harrison. I went to the Town of Harrison before COVID hit for site plan review to hold classes. I do all mediums and all subjects. One reason I built the studio was that I wanted to hold classes for adults and children. I am a firm believer in art and the joy it can bring to people. I will be offering classes for oil, acrylic or just plain drawing.  I also built my studio for my photography. I love art and photography, neither of which I have had time for.  

In addition to all of that, I have decided to offer consultations to anyone needing land use services. Since I have been working with towns for 36 years and know the permitting processes and requirements, I feel I have a lot to offer. I do not plan on doing to this full-time and it will be on a case-by-case basis. However, I am licensed through the state as a Third-Party Inspector and with my years of working with shoreland zoning and planning it would be a shame not to put this to good use independently.  

B-News: What else will take up your time in retirement?

Carter: I have three grand-children, Olivia 1 ½ years, Henry, 1 year old, and Emma, the youngest is only 7 weeks old.  I see them as often as I can as well as making them suffer from Grammy taking endless pictures in different outfits in her photography studio.  

B-News: What skills and characteristics should the next code enforcement officer have?

Carter: When I first started in Naples, I did not realize how many lakes, streams and rivers were located in Naples and any new applicant should have a strong enforcement and shoreland zoning background. I trust John Hawley to make that decision. He has seen the amount of time and care that the Town has taken with all of the ordinances and all of its water-frontage. Naples has earned the name the Heart of the Lakes Region justly. So many people have shared their love for this beautiful town. I wish them well.