<p>Longtime Edgartown building inspector Leonard Jason Jr. is set to hang up his hard hat after three decades on the job, according to a letter of resignation submitted to the selectmen.</p>
Longtime Edgartown building inspector Leonard Jason Jr. is set to hang up his hard hat after three decades on the job, according to a letter of resignation submitted to the Edgartown selectmen earlier this month.
Mr. Jason, who has served as the town’s inspector of buildings for 33 years, submitted a letter on Oct. 11, saying that he plans to leave his post no later than Nov. 30 of this year.
“Please accept my letter of resignation,” Mr. Jason’s letter reads in part. “It has been both a pleasure and an honor to serve the town since 1986. My decisions have not always been popular, but I can honestly say that I believe them to have been fair and in the best interest of the community.”
Town administrator James Hagerty said that while Mr. Jason technically submitted a letter of resignation, Mr. Jason plans to retire and will receive a full pension. He said he believed Mr. Jason would stay in his post as the Chilmark building inspector. Mr. Jason also serves part time as the Aquinnah town building inspector and as the interim building inspector for West Tisbury.
Reached later by telephone Monday, Mr. Jason said he is retiring because the time is right.
“I’m 75,” he said. “I don’t move as fast as I used to.”
He had words of praise for both the town and the job. “I really enjoyed working here. I always had support of the selectmen, from the first board that hired me to this board, and that makes the job a lot easier,” Mr. Jason said. “I don’t know if I’ll miss it. I’ve only been doing it since I’ve been 18. It’s time for somebody else to do it.”
Mr. Hagerty said Mr. Jason’s position would be posted within the next two weeks and that the town would conduct interviews shortly thereafter. He said the local building inspector, Reade Milne, is a strong in-house candidate for the position.
During his tenure as building inspector, Mr. Jason has overseen the construction of thousands of homes and buildings in Edgartown, as well as hundreds more throughout the Island.
In a 2012 interview with the Gazette, he said he never memorized zoning bylaws even though he spent the greater portion of 30-plus years poring over them. That way, Mr. Jason said, he would always have to look them up if there was a question, ensuring that he never get one wrong.
“The only thing I asked for were no doors on my offices,” Mr. Jason said in the interview. “I wanted everyone to know that anyone can come and sit and listen to and watch what I do.”
Asked Monday what makes a good building inspector, he said: “In my view, using some common sense.”
Comments
Best wishes to a true public
Paul Hannigan EdgartownBest wishes to a true public servant who wears more hats than anyone else. Always a pleasure to interact with him.
There will never be another
Tom Tate MVThere will never be another island treasure as Lenny Jason Jr. His professionalism, tough though always fair oversite, and love for our community has long helped to protect and nurture this very special place. Lenny is Martha’s Vineyard. We've all been blessed for his keen guidance over these many wonderful years. See you around Lenny, and you’re always welcome stop by and kick the dirt around to look for arrowheads.
Thank you Lenny and as they
Bob EdgartownThank you Lenny and as they say you are leaving big shoes to be filled.
I remember the first time I
Kevin j Cusack EdgartownI remember the first time I meet Lenny. May of 1987 ! Thought to myself "this is going to be interesting " ( and I'm certain Lenny had a few thoughts of his own ! ).
What can I say after thirty two years ! I was right. He is one of the most interesting people I have ever meet.
Many thanks for the years of guidance, fairness, supervision and wisdom you have given me over the years.
Best wishes
Kevin j
I think we can all agree this
Taxpayer EdgartownI think we can all agree this is a great thing!
I have been dealing with
Mark Lucier EdgartownI have been dealing with Lenny since he started those many years ago. We have been blessed here in Edgartown to have had a guy like him with the greatest attribute an inspector could have - COMMON SENSE. It seems he has already instilled this in Reade, ready for the next thirty years. It's been a pleasure working with you Len.
Irreplaceable!
Pia Webster EdgartownIrreplaceable!
He will be hard to replace. I
Ken Edg.He will be hard to replace. I hope he isnt leaving town.
I worked with Lenny for over
Terry Donahue EdgartownI worked with Lenny for over thirty years when my company had projects in Chilmark and Edgartown.
He is an amazing public servant, he always enforced the building regulations while going the extra mile to help the home owner. He will be missed.
Thank you Len
Terry Donahue
From our 1st meeting in Lenny
Ann Heron & Tom Prendergast Sarasota, FL, formerly EdgartownFrom our 1st meeting in Lenny's office in 1986, Lenny Jason assured me "my decisions are based on the project, not the applicant". Over 28 years as a Broker w/Wallace & Co. Sotheby's, he demonstrated to me the truth of his statement. Yes, Lenny exercised common sense coupled with a wealth of knowledge and being a really fair, nice guy! Enjoy your retirement Lenny & remember to say "No" to the first year's requests for you to fill 'all your free time'. Thank you & enjoy this next chapter of your life. Best, Ann & Tom
Mr. Jason treated seasonal
Ken M. Sanibel Fl. & Edgartown Ma.Mr. Jason treated seasonal residents and year-round residents exactly the same-FAIRLY. Let's hope his successor has the same mind set.
In my experience dealing with
mary edgartownIn my experience dealing with Lenny, he had his "special" people.....for who town rules were often stretched or did not even apply.....His job, it appeared to me, depended upon "who" you were, or what architect and building company you chose to use. Thereby determining what set of regulations would apply to you.
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