[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Schodack 2-12-1970
as L.L. No. 1-1970. Amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby designated in the Town of Schodack a public official,
to be known as the "Building Official," who shall be appointed by the Town
Board at a compensation to be fixed by it.
In the absence of the Building Official, or in the case of his inability
to act for any reason, the Supervisor shall have the power, with the consent
of the Town Board, to designate a person to act in behalf of the Building
Official and to exercise all the powers conferred upon him by this chapter.
The Town Board may appoint one building inspector or more, as the need
may appear, to act under the supervision of the Building Official and to exercise
any portion of his powers and duties. The compensation of such building inspectors
shall be fixed by the Town Board.
No officer or employee of the Building Department shall engage in any
activity inconsistent with his duties or with the interests of the Building
Department; nor shall be, during the term of his employment, be engaged directly
or indirectly in any building business, in the furnishing of labor, materials
or appliances for the construction, alteration or maintenance of a building
or the preparation of plans or specifications thereof within the Town of Schodack,
except that this provision shall not prohibit any employee from such activities
in connection with the construction of a building or structure owned by him
and not constructed for sale.
A.
Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, ordinance
or regulation, or except as herein otherwise provided, the Building Official
shall administer and enforce all of the provisions of laws, ordinances and
regulations applicable to the construction, alteration, repair, removal and
demolition of buildings and structures, the installation and use of materials
and equipment therein and the location, use, occupancy and maintenance thereof.
B.
He shall have the power to adopt rules, with the consent
of the Town Board, to secure the intent and purposes of this chapter and proper
enforcement of the laws, ordinances and regulations governing building construction.
C.
He shall receive applications and issue permits for the
erection, alteration, removal and demolition of buildings or structures or
parts thereof and shall examine the premises for which such applications have
been received or such permits have been issued for the purpose of ensuring
compliance with laws, ordinances and regulations governing building construction.
D.
He shall issue all appropriate notices or orders to remove
illegal or unsafe conditions, to require the necessary safeguards during construction
and to ensure compliance during the entire course of construction with the
requirements of such laws, ordinances and regulations. He shall make all inspections
which are necessary or proper for the carrying out of his duties, except that
he may accept written reports of inspection from building inspectors or other
employees of the Department of Buildings or from generally recognized and
authoritative service and inspection bureaus, provided that the same are certified
by a responsible official thereof.
E.
Whenever the same may be necessary or appropriate to
assure compliance with the provisions of applicable laws, ordinances and regulations
covering building construction, he may require the performance of tests in
the field by experienced, professional persons or by accredited and authoritative
testing laboratories or service bureaus or agencies.
A.
The Building Official shall keep permanent official records
of all transactions and activities conducted by him, including all applications
received, permits and certificates issued, fees charged and collected, inspection
reports and notices and orders issued. All such records shall be public records
open to public inspection during business hours.
B.
The Building Official shall annually submit to the Town
Board a written report and summary of all business conducted by the Department
of Buildings, including permits and certificates issued, fees collected, orders
and notices promulgated, inspections and tests made and appeals or litigation
pending.
The Building Official may request and shall receive, so far as may be
necessary in the discharge of his duties, the assistance and cooperation of
the Police, Fire and Health Departments and of all municipal officials exercising
any jurisdiction over the construction, use or occupancy of buildings or the
installation of equipment therein.