Chapter 22 Building Department

There shall be a Building Department, and the Inspector of Buildings shall be the head of said Building Department.

The Select Board shall appoint and designate an Inspector of Buildings to administer and enforce the State Building Code as well as MGL c. 22, § 13A (Architectural Access Board), and the rules and regulations made under the authority thereof. The Inspector of Buildings shall report directly and be solely responsible to the Select Board. In addition, such person shall have a general knowledge of the quality and strength of building materials; a general knowledge of the accepted requirements for building construction, fire prevention, light, ventilation, safe exits and the requirements of MGL c. 22, § 13A, and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto pertaining to accessible design standards; and a general knowledge of other equipment and materials essential for safety, comfort, and convenience of the occupants of a building or structure.

The Inspector of Buildings shall, subject to the approval of the Select Board, appoint inspectors of plumbing and one or more inspectors of gas fitting, who shall, in the case of the inspectors of plumbing, be practical plumbers and shall have had practical experience either as master or journeymen plumbers, continuously, during five years preceding their appointment and, in the case of inspectors of gas fitting, be practical gas fitters and shall have had practical experience either as master or journeymen gas fitters, continuously, during five years preceding their appointment; provided, however, that the Inspector of Buildings may appoint plumbing inspectors who shall also be gas fitting inspectors. Said inspectors of plumbing or inspectors of gas fitting shall inspect all plumbing or gas fittings, as the case may be, in the process of construction, alterations or repair for which permits are granted within the Town and shall report to the Inspector of Buildings violations of any law, ordinance, by-law, rule or regulation relative to plumbing or gas fitting; they shall perform such other appropriate duties as may be required.

The Inspector of Buildings shall, subject to the approval of the Select Board, appoint an inspector of wires. Said inspector shall be a licensed electrician. Such inspector shall supervise every wire over or under streets or buildings in the Town and every wire within or supplied from buildings and structures subject to the provisions of MGL c. 143 and the State Building Code, except wires within a manufactured building or building component as defined in the State Building Code and inspected in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the Board of Building Regulations and Standards; shall notify the person owning or operating any such wire whenever its attachments, insulation, supports or appliances are improper or unsafe, or whenever the tags or markers thereof are insufficient or illegible; shall, at the expense of the Town, remove every wire not tagged or marked as hereinbefore required, and shall see that all laws and regulations relative to wires are strictly enforced. The Town may recover in contract from the owner of any such wire removed the expense which it has incurred for the removal thereof.