Replacement hired for Zoning and Wetlands Enforcement

After 13 years of enforcing Norfolk’s regulations on zoning and wetlands, Mike Halloran is leaving town hall effective at the end of December.

“it’s been 13 years and it’s time,” said Halloran, who was raised in New Hartford but has lived in Norfolk for over 40 years, raising a family and working as a masonry contractor before becoming Norfolk’s Zoning and Wetlands Enforcement Officer. 

Halloran never set out to get the job, but when he approached a member of the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission about becoming a commissioner, she suggested instead taking over as the enforcement officer. “No one likes zoning until you have a neighbor that does something you don’t like,” he observed. “The regulations are black and white,” he said. “Most people I dealt with ultimately realized that and left satisfied, but not always happy.”

Halloran said he is uncertain of his next steps but expressed his willingness to serve on town committees. “I’d like to help the town in any way I can.”

His replacement is already waiting in the wings. First selectman Matt Riiska reached out to Colebrook and received a good recommendation on their recently hired Land Use Enforcement Officer,  Alan Drapach. He has a degree in mathematics from Radford University in Virginia and in May graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a degree in geography.  

Drapach took over in Colebrook in September and while in school was an intern in the City of Torrington’s land use office. He attended the November meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission and will officially take over in January.