A housing code enforcement officer whose duties will include trying to solve problems at rental properties and promote the town manager's safe and healthy neighborhoods initiative will start work this month.

Jon Thompson of Shutesbury was recently hired for the new position following interviews with a four-member search committee that recommended him to Town Manager John Musante.

"He's got a good skill set, technically as well as management-wise," Musante said.

Thompson has nearly 40 years of experience in carpentry and construction management, understanding both the business trade and the landlord perspective, Musante said. Thompson has also served on the Shutesbury Planning Board.

The hiring for the position, authorized by Town Meeting appropriation of $57,152 for annual salary and benefits last year, is one component of enhancing safe and healthy neighborhoods, Musante said.

"We've got a path and vision to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods," Musante said.

For many years, the town has fielded complaints from residents living in owner-occupied homes about problems associated with rental properties, particularly those close to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, but have not had sufficient manpower to respond quickly enough to deal with these issues.

Having this code enforcement officer who will be housed in the inspections department but work closely with the health and fire departments will help, Musante said.

"This means more staff hours devoted to looking at code enforcement, with a particular focus on rental properties," Musante said. "This will improve our ability to be more responsive to complaints of alleged code violations, and working with landlords or property owners for a responsible path to come into compliance."

Thompson will ease into the position, working 15 to 20 hours a week until June as he completes a home renovation project in Amherst. During this time, he will begin training with staff from the inspections, health and fire departments, Musante said.

There are already other aspects of the safe and healthy neighborhoods that are ongoing.

One, Musante said, has been to support law enforcement measures to reduce problems associated with alcohol consumption, such as issuing $300 tickets or arresting those who violate the town's noise, nuisance house and open container bylaws.

Another has been working with UMass, Amherst College and Hampshire College to have students better educated about their responsibilities as members of the community. Last fall, UMass began a new freshmen orientation program that included this component.

Finally, the town has tried to improve infrastructure, such as lighting and sidewalks, that enhance neighborhoods.

Objectives for the inspections department in the coming year includes documenting all rental housing in Amherst, establishing periodic inspections for multi-family housing and working with the colleges and UMass to develop more methods to mitigate problems.

Meanwhile, the town is expecting to hire a part-time planner who will specialize in affordable housing development and work toward ensuring that projects are under way. This is being funded through Community Development Block Grant money.