Although Leonard resident Mike Boisvert was officially named the new building official for Addison Township on March 20, he’s really worked for them off and on over the last 20 years.
If the building inspectors needed a vacation or got sick, Boisvert was the man to call.
Boisvert, 67, became Addison’s temporary building official after the township’s building official and friend of Boisvert, John Elsarelli, passed away in December 2005.
‘I think John kind of dragged me along,? he recalled. ‘He knew they would need someone and I was lucky because he recommended me.?
‘In John’s absence he stepped up and has been handling the building department quite impressively,? wrote Addison Twp. Supervisor Bob Koski in his February 13 recommendation to the board. ‘He is knowledgeable, easy to work with and it seems his job performance is quite thorough.?
Along with the title of building official for Addison Twp., Boisvert carries the responsibilities of building inspector, enforcement officer and a plan reviewer of the township’s 36 square miles.
Another new position for Boisvert at the township will be a consultant for the Zoning Board of Appeals.
‘I physically inspect the area that’s in question and write those findings and then submit it to the clerk,? he explained. ‘I’ve already had several applications come across my desk.?
Boisvert said he will be working three days a week for a total of 12 hours, but will spend most of the time doing fieldwork.
The 40-year resident of Leonard has been in the building industry since 1958. He even started the Leonard Realty and Building Company, which he retired from in 2001.
He said Elsarelli got him licensed as a building inspector in 2000. He covered during inspectors? vacation times in Addison and Oakland townships from 2002-2004. He began working as a building inspector for Shelby Twp. in May of 2004 to present.
Boisvert said his goals as the new building official are to get his department more technologically savvy.
‘It’s a relatively small department, but I expect growth,? he said.
The most important goal, though, is that he hopes to fill the position of building official as well as his friend John Elsarelli did.
When Boisvert isn’t spending his time at the township offices, he enjoys golfing, reading and camping with his motor home. He also loves to spend time with his large family. He’ll be celebrating 49 years of marriage with his wife, Ada, this August. The couple have four children, 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, with three more on the way this summer.