You are on page 1of 2

MEMORANDUM

TO: Brandie Schaeffer, Community Development Director

CC: Edward Tucker, Acting Town Manager

FROM: Frank Cassidy, Building Official

DATE: December 11, 2018

SUBJECT: Fire Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer Position

Please accept this as information for discussion regarding the proposed Fire Inspector
position:

To better understand the scope of staff, I feel it best to provide a basic foundation. Staff
has a keen understanding as to the ongoing paradigm shift taking place in our town. This
shift is a natural progression as established communities age. This is a healthy shift, with
proactive efforts to adjust operations and resources. This shift is from a majority of new
construction to a maintenance and preservation aspect.

Community Development’s role is no less vital, in fact it becomes more substantial.


Preservation of housing and commercial stock, quality of life, property values is key while
balancing opportunities for new growth. This type of shift requires new resources to be
focused on the myriad of challenges to prevent a community from slipping into a down
ward spiral of blight, crime and disrepair. We are poised to be proactive in this endeavor
with the new position of Fire Inspector/ Code Enforcement Officer.

Community Development Department has been developing proactive programs to be on


the tip of the spear moving forward. Specifically, has been working on the following new
programs:

• Implementing a proactive fire safety inspection program:

o Requiring fire safety inspections with every new zoning and business
license request
1
o Teaming with Fire and Police Departments
o Started with hotels/motels, moving to restaurants; eventually every
business
o Regularly scheduled times for inspections with pre-inspection outreach

• Implementing a proactive zoning enforcement program:

o Daily prioritized inspections based on safety, visibility and main corridors

o Developing working relationships with the community

• Developing and implementing outreach and educational programs:

o Developing and implementing a landlord education program

o Providing speaking at community groups

• Developing and implementing a proactive, community based revitalization


program:

o Recognizing owner occupied properties needing assistance

o Teaming up with community resources to solve problems


The implementation of the above has been a slow process given the current resources in
the Department.

Along these lines, the Fire Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer position will provide the
additional resources to implement the above programs in a more timely manner and
provide additional opportunities for proactive inspections. The position requires careful
crafting to incorporate the breadth of expectations that will be placed on the position. The
position will incorporate the need for additional fire safety inspections while also including
the need for the continued development of an effective property maintenance program.

Attached is a draft copy of the job description as approved by Human Resources.

Attachment- Job Description

Cc: Edward Tucker, Acting Town Manager

You might also like