CHELSEA — Gary Quintal beat out five finalists for the code enforcement officer position.

Town Manager Scott Tilton said Quintal, of West Gardiner, will replace Bob St. Pierre, who resigned after 15 years with the town. St. Pierre’s last day was Jan. 25.

Tilton said Quintal is a certified code enforcement and plumbing inspector.

Waldo Gilpatrick, also of West Gardiner, filled in as the town’s alternate code enforcement officer while the town was looking for a permanent replacement for St. Pierre.

“He has accepted the position,” Tilton said Monday. “He’ll be working roughly 20 hours a week, and his salary will be $22 an hour.”

Tilton said he will ask selectmen to approve the new hire at their meeting on Wednesday.

Selectmen also plan to discuss a pending lawsuit in executive session at 5:30 p.m. at the Chelsea Elementary School Library, followed by a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Tilton said he also will recommend John Begin to fill a vacant Regional School Unit 12 school board seat.

Begin will replace Allen Hallett Jr., who resigned last month from his school board seat, until June’s annual Town Meeting and election.

Begin then would have to take out nomination papers to be on the ballot in June for the remaining year of the position, Tilton said.

Tilton said Hallett left before his three-year term was up because he wanted to spend more time with his family.

Selectmen on Wednesday plan to discuss the annual Town Meeting date. Tilton said it will take place on the same day as the school budget vote, which hasn’t been set.

“We want to try and coordinate the election on the same day as the referendum,” he said. “The following Thursday would be the Town Meeting to vote on the (municipal) budget and a couple of ordinances.”

Residents are expected to vote on the proposed PACE ordinance, which would enable citizens to have access to the loan program through Efficiency Maine; and a proposed solid-waste ordinance. Voters also will be asked to make changes to the town’s culvert ordinance.

Tilton said culverts installed by residents for driveways will need to meet town standards.

“Once they’re in, the town will maintain the life of them,” he said. “It will help with drainage on the road and make sure people don’t put water where it doesn’t belong, so roadways won’t flood out.”

He said the Planning Board recommended the possibility of allowing people to install plastic culverts instead of galvanized ones. He said plastic culverts last longer and are cheaper.

Selectmen at their meeting also plan to establish dates for the 2012 budget review and approval.

Tilton said the board will draft a budget proposal and present it to the Budget Committee for review, and then both boards will make recommendations to be included on the town warrant.

Mechele Cooper — 621-5663

mcooper@centralmaine.com