Webb Code Enforcement Officer

Many permits

In the world of local code enforcement, all too often the accusation that we are picking on, or targeting someone is made.

Certain individuals must think that the only thing we have to do is constantly spy on them, waiting for the opportunity to jump on them.

Issuing four hundred permits a year, doing plan review of the same, of which many are major projects, communicating with the engineers, architects, owners and contractors involved, can take a lot of time.

This just gets to the point of the issuance of the permits. Then the actual inspections during the work begin.

This can mean up to a dozen inspections, or more, for just one of the permits. It is estimated there are nearly 1,500 open / active permits in the files.

This does not include the many zoning or planning board issues we administer.

Another program is the monitoring of hundreds of dye tests around the lakes each summer.

Although there is a full time seasonal person doing the actual testing, oversight, direction and assistance by the entire staff within the office is part of the program.

When issues are found, time and attention are needed.

This is not meant to be complaining, as this is a very worthy program that benefits not only the property owner, but the general health and safety of the public.

Especially those who enjoy our greatest assets, the lakes. However, this means time.

Back to the topic at hand; you think we are picking on you when you are told you need a permit?

You think we are picking on you when your permit has expired over a year ago, and all we need is for you to renew it?

You think we are picking on you after you install a sign, without Planning Board approval, when you were told by the board [and you agreed] you would come back to the board for a sign package approval?

You think we are picking on you when you receive a Notice of Violation regarding the construction of a structure, one foot off the property line and within the shoreline setback area, without a building permit and when a variance had been previously denied to do so? Seriously, we are being picky?

You think this office is picking on you when, several years ago, it was discovered that a deck was built on the front of your camp, too close to the lake and both the town and the APA ordered it removed.

Only after taking preliminary enforcement action, by both the town and APA, the deck was finally removed and the enforcement action was closed.

Then, within a few months, without a building permit, a new deck is built in the same spot even bigger than what was removed.

No one is special. We’re being picky? Money, status, titles do not apply.

You think this office spends hours, or even days, in cahoots with your neighbor, who you do not get along with, to try and catch you doing something on your property that is inappropriate?

Or are you just mad that after a lengthy enforcement action, that included a Supreme Court Judge, you were told to stop doing something?

You think this office is picking on you when you get a Stop Work Order for starting the framing of a house when the building permit issued was for a foundation only?

All because when the application was made for the building permit you were in a big hurry to get started and the architect was still working on the plans.

You think this office is picking on you when you are denied a permit?

But down the road someone else is doing what you think is the same thing?

Obviously, it’s all about who you know. Has nothing to do with the facts.

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Nobody is perfect, not even a code enforcement office. We make plenty of mistakes.

But we do research issues and act accordingly.

We simply do not have the energy or the time to sit around and scheme ways to give people a hard time. This stuff usually finds us.

And when it does, we deal with it. Sometimes, we have to pick our battles.

The things we do see, and don’t have time to deal with is profound… we do what we can, each circumstance is different.

So when we find that structure built without a permit by a trusted contractor, in a place nobody can see, does that mean we are going to do surveillance on that contractor?

No. But it does diminish the level of trust between code office and contractor or property owner. Wouldn’t it to you?

Part of our job is to help people get what they are hoping for, or as close as possible, and still be in compliance.