Norwich — The former first selectman and zoning enforcement officer in Stafford has been hired as the new Norwich zoning enforcement officer, filling a position that has been vacant since November.

Richard Shuck, 48, of Stafford started his new position Monday at a starting salary of $55,000. He spent his first week becoming familiar with both the city and its zoning regulations, along with processing the usual spring applications for swimming pools and fences and fielding complaints about backyard chickens.

“This is my wheelhouse, land use,” Shuck said of his new position. “With 15 years in real estate and planning, it gives me a well-rounded background.”

Shuck's office is on the first floor at 23 Union St., and he can be contacted at (860) 823-3752.

Shuck's background is a bit more diverse. He grew up in Tolland and in the early 1990s opened an auto machine shop rebuilding engines. He started selling real estate in 1997 and also served on the Stafford Planning and Zoning Commission from 2005 to 2008, when he was named the town's zoning and wetlands enforcement officer.

He was elected first selectman twice and served from 2011 through 2015. He lost a bid for a third term in 2015.

Shuck was working at a car dealership when he saw the advertisement for the Norwich zoning position and jumped at the chance to apply.

“I was so happy when (City Planner Deanna Rhodes) called and offered me the position,” Shuck said.

This was the third round of advertisements for the city in its search for a successor to Tianne Curtis, who moved upstairs in the Planning and Neighborhood Services building to the community development office. Shuck said he didn't see the first two ads.

“We're really pleased with his credentials and experience and we think he'll be a great fit in the office,” Rhodes said. “He did really well in the interview process.”

Rhodes has been doubling as the zoning officer since November, and now he will be able to sub for her at times as the city wetlands officer, as he holds state certification in both zoning and wetlands.

Shuck and his wife, Jackie, have two teenage children, 17-year-old Richard Jr., who is working on his Eagle Scout badge, and 14-year-old Heather.

Shuck, an avid fisherman — “mostly catch-and-release,” he said — said he is not really familiar with Norwich, but has made trips to Norwich Harbor to go fishing. Friends already are bugging him for tips on the best fishing spots in the city.

Shuck said he doesn't mind the hourlong commute straight down Route 32 from Stafford, as it will give him time to think about pending applications and how to resolve potential zoning disputes, as well as scouting out potential fishing spots at river overpasses.

c.bessette@theday.com