By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- The Massena Town Council voted to hire Peter Devine of Massena as a new code enforcement officer who will share his duties with the village.

The decision came unanimously after an executive session that lasted about five minutes at Wednesday night’s meeting.

Town Supervisor Joseph Gray said Devine, who will be taking classes to get his state certification, will start work August 1 at a rate of $16 per hour. Once he is certified, the rate will go up to $17.50 per hour and after six months Devine will be eligible for another raise “if his work is satisfactory,” Gray said.

Devine will be paid 30 hours each week, with the village paying for 15 and the town picking up the other half. He will not receive benefits, paid time off, or sick time.

He will pay for the certification classes out of his own pocket and the town will pick up related expenses, such as mileage and accommodations. Once he starts working for Massena, he will use the code office’s vehicle.

Paid drivers with the Massena Fire Department who are certified in code inspection will continue to serve in that capacity, Gray said.