Top building inspector set to retire from town

Leroy Barnes, Riverhead Town’s longtime building department coordinator, will retire May 26 after 32 years in town government.

Mr. Barnes, who is accepting a retirement incentive allowed by the town, has headed the building department since 1997. Prior to that, he had been an elected town assessor since 1981 and served as chairman of the board of assessors from 1986 to 1997.

He said the town originally planned to hire him and building inspector Sharon Klos, who is also retired, as part-time employees, thus eliminating one full-time position, but he’s unsure if the town still wants to do that. Ms. Klos is still working part-time.

If not, he said, he will go into the construction business.

“I’d just like to thank the public for letting me serve for 32 years and I do plan to continue living here,” Mr. Barnes said.