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Home My Public Portal AboutFY2019 Building DeptBUILDING DEPARTMENT FISCAL YEAR 2019 The Building Department budget includes both the Building Department and Historic District Department. Personnel include: 1.Building Commissioner with regulatory responsibilities for the State Building Code, specific Massachusetts General Laws, Brewster Zoning Bylaws, Brewster General Bylaws and the Old King’s Regional Highway Historic District Act, 2.Local Building Inspectors (1 full time), (3 on call) 3.Plumbing and Gas Inspectors (3) 4.Electrical Inspectors (3) 5.Senior Department Assistant, who is also the Clerk for the Historic District Committee and 6.Department Assistant. I would venture to say that our duties as a regulating authority are more varied and cover a broader spectrum than any other governmental agency be it Local, State or Federal. On a regular basis we have consultations and must be able to address at an equal level with property owners, trades people, realtors, engineers, architects, attorneys, and other governmental agencies. The most apparent duty, and what many people mistakenly view as our only duty, includes performing inspections at strategic points during a construction process. What is not readily apparent is the amount of plan reviews, pre-construction discussion, education of Building Code technicalities and investigations that take place regarding a construction project. We also respond to concerns raised by townspeople, neighbors, visitors, other governmental agencies and the like which typically involves both site visits and record investigations and a follow through to address these raised concerns. Building Officials are also required by law to perform periodic inspections on certain types of buildings, regardless of whether any work is being performed, in accordance with the General Laws and State Building Code to ensure that safe environments exist and the general welfare of the public is assured. 2 We also regulate the Brewster Zoning Bylaws and several General Bylaws. While the Brewster Zoning Bylaws are not based primarily on public safety like the State Building Code, it is no less important. Zoning Bylaws give direction and effect the development within the Town of Brewster. Zoning Bylaws are unique in that the townspeople, with a minimum 2/3 majority, vote to regulate themselves, which demands a high amount of respect and obligation from the Building Commissioner and the Building Department with the regulating approach. Though the incidents can be quite varied the approach for regulating what people can and cannot do on their property stays constant. Introducing a property owner to use restrictions on their own property often takes a considerable amount of time, diplomacy and resources. Another facet of regulating the Brewster Zoning Bylaws entails assuring that applicants remain true to all conditions stipulated in Variances and Special Permits that have been granted by the Board of Appeals and/or the Planning Board. This type of oversight often requires constant vigilance by the Building Department for the life of the property. The Building Department continues to be challenged with the scope of administrative responsibilities and performance standards that are required and expected although with limited personnel. We employ whatever means that is offered including volunteer workers and people working for the annual real estate tax rebate program to help with maintaining even the basics of filing. As identified in past narratives the administrative duties for the Building Department personnel are constantly increasing due in part to new legislative rules and ever changing and increasingly technical complexities to the ever evolving body of construction regulations and municipal bylaws. Additionally the complexity of the clerical duties have increased due to the demands placed upon the Building Department not only from new legislative and regulatory requirements but also in relationship to the Building Departments role in the development of projects. Being that the Building Department is typically the final municipal destination in obtaining a permit for a project, we play the role of a shepherd in gathering of evidence ensuring that all other applicable municipal reviews have occurred and have been finalized. This role is further complicated as boards and committees may not be fully aware of each others decisions and the Building Department is left to reconcile all of the municipal reviews. Interestingly enough the Building Department assumes the “shepherds” role again at the end of a project in that an occupancy permit cannot be released until it is verified that all applicable laws and regulations have been met including other Municipal and State Agency’s agreements with the applicant. A good portion of these necessary validating services are performed by the Building Department administrative staff. Please note that we not only accept this role in this process but we take pride in performing this service quite well to better serve the community. Since August 2013 the Building Department has had the new Building Permit tracking software package on board. This software system has, among other things, created some efficiencies with administrative resources regarding inter office communications and have helped reduce the time involved in “shepherding” information as discussed above. Though these potential time savings are offset somewhat as the 3 Building Department is personnel resource responsible for archiving retrievable information. We also regulate the Old King’s Highway Regional Historic District which can also be challenging and testing of office personnel and resources. My philosophy with regard to maintaining the integrity of both the Building and Historic District Departments is to encourage the development of a professional, competent, and accommodating manner of personnel thereby ensuring that the townspeople of Brewster and visitors are serviced at the highest level. It is my opinion that the Building Department is predominantly self funding for all non-municipal duties (State laws and Regulations). Conversely the Town of Brewster generally funds all necessary resources in the Building Department for all municipal regulatory duties (Zoning Bylaws, General Bylaws, Historic District…). It has been my experience that construction permit activity is not solely related to the amount of work expended by the Building Department personnel. Anecdotally as construction activity drops there tends to be increases with non-compliant land use issues and as Codes become more complicated the inspection personnel are increasingly sought for technical counsel. Clothing Allowance – The Personnel Bylaw now determines the clothing allowance for the Building Officials though neglected to include the Plumbing/Gas and Electrical Inspectors. Supplies – This fiscal year saw the adoption of new editions of both the Building and Electrical Codes. We have purchased the majority of Code books out of the current Fiscal Year budget but will still need to purchase several additional books from the FY19. Lodging – As the construction codes are getting more complex and municipal bylaws are being tested on a regular basis it is prudent that the Town of Brewster continue to invest in educational support for Building Department personnel. Whereas the southeastern portion has some applicable educational offerings there are more comprehensive events that are offered throughout New England beyond a reasonable day driving consideration. Building Department & Historic District Commission (PT)= Part time Employee Town Administrator Appointed by the Board of Selectmen Building Commissioner Pers. Bylaw Gr. V Local Inspector Pers. Bylaw Gr. III Electrical Inspector (PT) Pers. Bylaw Fixed Rate Plumbing & Gas Inspector (PT) Pers. Bylaw Fixed Rate Senior Departmental Assistant OPEIU Grade 5A Departmental Assistant OPEIU Gr. 4A Asst. Electrical Inspector (PT) Pers. Bylaw Fixed Rate Asst. Plumbing & Gas Insp (PT) Pers. Bylaw Fixed Rate Assistant Town Administrator Pers. Bylaw Gr. V GENERAL FUND DEPT HEAD TOWN ADMINISTRATOR SELECTBOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE EXPENDED APPROPRIATED REQUESTED RECOMMENDED RECOMMENDED RECOMMENDED WAGES: Full-time 250,758$ $ 259,452 $ 267,795 $ 267,795 $ 267,795 $ 267,795 3.2% $ 8,343 Part-time 111,456$ $ 120,323 $ 130,000 $ 130,000 $ 130,000 $ 130,000 8.0% $ 9,677 Longevity 3,000$ $ 3,300 $ 3,600 $ 3,600 $ 3,600 $ 3,600 9.1% $ 300 Clothing Reimbursement 1,273$ $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - 0.0% $ - SUB TOTAL 366,487$ 383,075$ 401,395$ 401,395$ 401,395$ 401,395$ 4.8% $ 18,320 6-0-0 GENERAL EXPENSES; Safety Clothing / Boots -$ $ 1,200 $ 1,600 $ 1,600 $ 1,600 $ 1,600 33.3% $ 400 Printing 1,090$ $ 900 $ 900 $ 900 $ 900 $ 900 0.0% $ - Supplies 2,927$ $ 1,200 $ 1,200 $ 1,200 $ 1,200 $ 1,200 0.0% $ - Lodging 466$ $ 700 $ 700 $ 700 $ 700 $ 700 0.0% $ - Mileage 349$ $ 650 $ 650 $ 650 $ 650 $ 650 0.0% $ - Education 1,650$ $ 2,250 $ 2,250 $ 2,250 $ 2,250 $ 2,250 0.0% $ - Dues/Subscriptions 410$ $ 350 $ 325 $ 325 $ 325 $ 325 -7.1% $ (25) SUB TOTAL 6,892$ 7,250$ 7,625$ 7,625$ 7,625$ 7,625$ 5.2% $ 375 GRAND TOTAL 373,379$ 390,325$ 409,020$ 409,020$ 409,020$ 409,020$ 4.8% $ 18,695 Vote 4-0-0 6-0-0 BUILDING / INSPECTIONS FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 % CHANGE YR / YR $ CHANGE YR / YR Building Dept 2/28/2018 DEPT:241 Number of Positions in Department Full-time 4 Part-time 0 Seasonal 8 Temporary 0 Vacancies 0 New Positions Requested 0 TOTAL OF ALL POSITIONS 12 Position Avg Hours Per Week Bi-Weekly Salary / Hrly Rate Class & Step as of 6/30/17 (e.g., B -Step 3) Yearly Salary as of 6/30/18 Date of Hire FY 2019 Projected Salary Longevity Pay Education Pay Certificatio n Pay Holiday Pay Other Total by Employee BUILDING COMMISSIONER 35.00 4040.43 Bylaw Grade 5 105,051 09/07/99 107,940 1,500 0 0 0 0 109,440 LOCAL INSPECTOR 35.00 33.54 Bylaw Grade 3 61,043 05/01/08 62,721 900 0 0 0 0 63,621 SR. DEPARTMENT ASST.35.00 29.46 OPEIU Grade 5A 53,617 05/30/06 54,564 1,200 0 0 0 0 55,764 DEPARTMENT ASST.35.00 22.30 OPEIU Grade 4A 40,586 11/09/15 42,570 0 0 0 0 0 42,570 PER INSPECTION - HRLY RATE (As Needed)$36-$40Hr Bylaw 120,000 Varies 0 0 0 0 0 0 130,000 267,795 130,000 3,600 0 0 0 0 0 0 401,395 5,800 407,195 Medicare Total Personnel Services Shift Differential Overtime Salary Subtotal Building Department / Inspectors FY 2019 Personnel Spreadsheet Total Education Total Certification Pay Total Holiday Pay Total Other Pay Total Longevity Total Prorated Salary Total Part-Time Salary As of 1/11/2018 Town of Brewster - FY18 Budget Projection