Norwich — Dan Coley has been working in his family's construction and paving business for the past 20 years, and was looking for a career change when he saw the Norwich blight control officer opening.

Coley, 42, who grew up in Norwich and now lives in Preston, started Monday as the city's new blight control and code enforcement officer. He succeeds Edward Martin, who retired in June after 10 years in the position. Coley will earn $52,020 annually.

“I wanted a new role that still involved construction but was different,” he said.

Coley said he started by reviewing a stack of files Martin had compiled and fielding new complaints — including one for bulky waste trash on Central Avenue in Greeneville. He used that complaint as a chance to take a walking tour of some nearby Greeneville streets Thursday to get the feel of the neighborhood.

City Director of Inspections James Troeger on Wednesday handed Coley an email from Norwich Fire Chief Kenneth Scandariato, asking the city to check out a number of vehicles parked at the former Hale Mill in Yantic.

“I've lived in Norwich all my life, but (Tuesday) I went on a road I'd never been on before,” Coley said.

That was hilly, secluded Hinckley Street, where someone complained about a vacant house.

“The house has been vacant for four years, and the fence is falling down and the grass is as tall as I am,” Coley said. The complaint said there was a buildup of discarded patio furniture as well, but Coley said the grass was so tall, he couldn't tell. He said he would try to contact the property owner.

Troeger said vacant, abandoned and foreclosed properties have become a big blight problem, and tracking down owners has been difficult.

Peter Davis, city planning and development director, said Coley was chosen from a field of four finalists for the blight control position. Asked what priority areas Coley will concentrate on, Davis said: “the entire city.”

Coley graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1991 and attended Three Rivers Community College to study computer science. But before he could finish college, he then got called into the family business, G&J Paving, which later became Coley & Sons LLC construction company. He and his wife, Alexandra, have two daughters, ages 7 and 12. Coley is a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission in Preston.

Coley plans to meet with neighborhood watch groups in the coming weeks to introduce himself and hear their concerns. He also regularly will attend meetings of the Board of Review of Dangerous Buildings, which handles complaints about blighted properties.

Coley can be reached in the city planning and development office at 23 Union St. His direct phone number is (860) 823-3762.

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