ROCHESTER – Rochester will soon have a new building commissioner.

The town offered the job to Carl Bizarro, who has previously worked as the building commissioner for Somerset.

After 38 years of service to Rochester, Building Commissioner and Zoning Inspector Jim Buckles has announced his retirement. His last day will be April 15. The town has been interviewing candidates for his replacement.

“We interviewed three candidates, all with a good amount of experience,” said Town Administrator Glenn Cannon at the Select Board meeting on Monday, April 4. “We felt he was the best fit for the town in terms of experience, demeanor, and knowledge of the subject.”

Since Bizarro will likely not be able to start work in Rochester until the end of April, Buckles has offered to work with the town to help out in the interim.

Buckles announced his retirement in January. He has been the Building Commissioner and Zoning Inspector for the past ten of his 38 years of service.

The Select Board unanimously authorized Town Counsel Blair Bailey to work on the contract negotiations for both hiring Bizarro and bringing on Buckles as an independent contractor.