FALLSBURG — As a small town grappling with the challenges of rapid growth, Fallsburg is experiencing a significant shortage of code officers and agents within its building department. 

In the past year alone, approximately five officers have left their positions, and the most recent departure is Mollie Messenger, who served as Fallburg’s principal Code Enforcement Officer and Department of Public Works Supervisor for 12 years. 

Messenger bid farewell to her role on July 6.

Messenger expressed her concern about the dwindling number of building inspectors, emphasizing that this issue is not unique to Fallsburg but nation-wide. 

“There are fewer and fewer building inspectors. Let’s face it; it’s not a glorious job...They’re spreading out thinner and thinner across the towns; you have more and more people working two, three, or four of the smaller towns rather than just having one building inspector,” remarked Messenger.

During public hearings on development projects, one of the recurring questions revolves around how the town permits such rapid growth. 

Messenger clarified that while the building department does not have the authority to halt growth, the rules and regulations governing growth are determined by the planning and zoning boards. If a client meets the necessary requirements and the proposed construction aligns with the zoning regulations, they are permitted to proceed with their project.

Furthermore, Messenger highlighted the mounting criticism faced by the Building Department and the Utility Department, who have been accused of not doing enough to address the challenges brought about by growth. She defended her colleagues, emphasizing their dedication and hard work. 

“The town doesn’t run without everything that they do there; they’re the most important pieces to all of this. We have all of these projects, we have all of these things going on, and the amount of work it takes to review these projects, the people who are here on the ground and the boots on the ground, they’re really working hard, and I don’t think they get enough accolades,” Messenger said.

“I think they always get slandered that they didn’t do enough. It’s important to know that people are really working hard,” Messenger continued. 

Messenger mentioned that before her departure, the department had succeeded in certifying two additional building inspectors.

When Fallsburg Councilperson Joe Levner learned of Messenger’s resignation during a town board meeting, he said, “The position is a difficult position, even the most difficult position in this town as far as I am concerned. A lot of times, it’s criticism and unfair scrutiny. No matter what the circumstances, Mollie has always presented herself with class, no matter what the public has thought about her as an employee or what should have gone on,” Levner said.

Levner went on to say,“During her tenure, one thing that can’t be  debated is the type of person she is. Her tremendous character. She has personal traits that if the world was like Mollie Messenger, we would be in a very good place.”