NORWICH – In effort to save the city money in overtime, it was decided by the Common Council last week to upgrade the city’s code enforcement officer to code department head and make him increasingly more involved in fire investigations.

Jason Lawrence was promoted by council members Tuesday; he will not only be responsible for the entire city codes department, but will act as the City of Norwich Fire Marshal as well.

“This is what I went to school for,” said Lawrence. “Fire prevention and fire safety are two of the main aspects in the codes department.”

Lawrence will be upgraded in the entry pay scale and moved from an hourly paid employee to a salary-based employee, meaning the cost of paying him overtime expenses will be reduced.