County to refund re-roofing fees
NORWICH – Town of Norwich residents and others who were charged fees for re-roofing projects over the last three years will be reimbursed by Chenango County, lawmakers decided Wednesday.
Due to a discrepancy in the county’s code fee schedule, adopted in 2003, and an existing 1988 local law, fees of $25 per re-roofing project were being charged erroneously. Town of Norwich Supervisor David C. Law brought the dispute before the Safety & Rules Committee and the county’s Public Health Department in November.
Approximately $2,150 for 86 permits will be refunded. Codes Enforcement Officer Bruce Bates said each individual project would need to be reviewed.
Acting on counsel with County Attorney Richard E. Breslin, Public Health Director Marcus Flindt recommended the refund and suggested that re-roofing projects be permitted without fee collection until Chenango County Local Law #2 can be amended and fees determined. The three-year-old fee schedule was created to be in compliance with international codes and updated New York State Fire & Uniform Building Codes.
“If we continue the way we are, like the state says we should, we are in violation of our own local law,” Bates said.
Flindt’s suggestion was made into a motion and seconded. During discussion, Town of Coventry Supervisor Janice O’Shea said any fee amount should be determined after the local law is amended.
Further discussion ensued regarding whether or not to charge a permit fee at all. State building codes law doesn’t require municipalities to charge a fee, only that inspectors issue a certificate of completion and occupancy of new construction and remodeling to existing structures.
Bates said other cities and towns in the region do the inspections, require permits but don’t charge fees because their salaries are paid for out of the general fund. “We charge a fee because I have to make money to pay our own budget. We pay for ourselves with fees,” he said.
Also prior to the vote, Homer Smith, D-McDonough, said he hoped the Board of Supervisors didn’t think that the measure meant the entire Safety & Rules Committee would vote for or against an amendment to the local law. Town of Columbus Supervisor George G. Coates pointed out that local laws cannot be less stringent than the state requires.
Committee Chairman Alton B. Doyle, R-Guilford, said the premise of re-roofing permits is to protect citizens against fly-by-night contractors.
Town of Greene Supervisor Jack T. Cook voted against the motion. Greene has its own code enforcement officer and does not collect re-roofing fees nor issue job permits.
Due to a discrepancy in the county’s code fee schedule, adopted in 2003, and an existing 1988 local law, fees of $25 per re-roofing project were being charged erroneously. Town of Norwich Supervisor David C. Law brought the dispute before the Safety & Rules Committee and the county’s Public Health Department in November.
Approximately $2,150 for 86 permits will be refunded. Codes Enforcement Officer Bruce Bates said each individual project would need to be reviewed.
Acting on counsel with County Attorney Richard E. Breslin, Public Health Director Marcus Flindt recommended the refund and suggested that re-roofing projects be permitted without fee collection until Chenango County Local Law #2 can be amended and fees determined. The three-year-old fee schedule was created to be in compliance with international codes and updated New York State Fire & Uniform Building Codes.
“If we continue the way we are, like the state says we should, we are in violation of our own local law,” Bates said.
Flindt’s suggestion was made into a motion and seconded. During discussion, Town of Coventry Supervisor Janice O’Shea said any fee amount should be determined after the local law is amended.
Further discussion ensued regarding whether or not to charge a permit fee at all. State building codes law doesn’t require municipalities to charge a fee, only that inspectors issue a certificate of completion and occupancy of new construction and remodeling to existing structures.
Bates said other cities and towns in the region do the inspections, require permits but don’t charge fees because their salaries are paid for out of the general fund. “We charge a fee because I have to make money to pay our own budget. We pay for ourselves with fees,” he said.
Also prior to the vote, Homer Smith, D-McDonough, said he hoped the Board of Supervisors didn’t think that the measure meant the entire Safety & Rules Committee would vote for or against an amendment to the local law. Town of Columbus Supervisor George G. Coates pointed out that local laws cannot be less stringent than the state requires.
Committee Chairman Alton B. Doyle, R-Guilford, said the premise of re-roofing permits is to protect citizens against fly-by-night contractors.
Town of Greene Supervisor Jack T. Cook voted against the motion. Greene has its own code enforcement officer and does not collect re-roofing fees nor issue job permits.
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