Following an abrupt retirement, the town of Coupeville looked to its neighbor down south to temporarily fill a vacancy.

Langley building official Bob Snyder was named to the same position in Coupeville when the town’s former building official Len Eserhut, abruptly retired.

Eserhut had been working as the town’s part-time building official since 1997. He was basically responsible for inspecting construction in town limits and making sure new buildings conform to town codes.

Mayor Nancy Conard said Eserhut has been dealing with some health issues, which prompted his unexpected retirement.

She said the town hired Snyder on an interim basis to give staff time to examine the position, see if changes need to be made, and find a permanent replacement.

Snyder, who also works for Langley on a part-time basis, will work for Coupeville two days a week and earn $35 an hour. He works 20 hours a week as Langley’s building official.