Town officials on Monday honored Chief Building Officer Sam Zannini, who retires this month after 36 years with the town.

"He will be missed by each one of us in the department and in the town, as a person and as a professional," Community Development Director Bill Scott said at Monday's Board of Selectmen meeting.

Others praised Zannini for helping residents unfamiliar with the town's application process make sense of the requirements.

"Sam always was there to help people who didn't understand what was being asked of them," said resident Larry Belair. "With the tricky questions you get on a variance, Sam's experience would guide them through. He was faithful to the rules, but always reached out to the people who were overwhelmed."

Selectmen presented Zannini with a plaque and thanked him for his service.

"I would like to thank everybody for being present here this evening," Zannini told the crowd of town officials and residents gathered at the meeting. "I appreciate it very much. Thank you."