There is hereby established in the town a department to be designated
as the "Building Department," for the administration and enforcement of the
provisions of all laws, provisions of this Code and other town
ordinances, rules, regulations and orders applicable to the location, design,
materials, construction, alteration, repair, equipment, maintenance, use,
occupancy, removal and demolition of buildings and structures and their appurtenances
located in the town.
The Building Department shall be headed by a town official designated
as the "Chief Building Inspector."
The Chief Building Inspector shall be a person who shall have had at
least five years' experience as a licensed professional engineer or architect,
building inspector, building contractor or supervisor of building construction.
The Chief Building Inspector shall be appointed by the Town Supervisor,
with the consent of the Town Board, for a term of one year, at a compensation
to be fixed by the Town Board; he shall not be removed from office except
for cause after a public hearing on specific charges before the Town Board.
The Chief Building Inspector may appoint such other employees as may
be authorized from time to time by the Town Board to carry out the functions
of the Building Department.
In the absence of the Chief Building Inspector or in the case of his
inability to act for any reason, the Town Supervisor shall have the power,
with the consent of the Town Board, to designate a person to act in the Chief
Building Inspector's behalf and to exercise all of the powers conferred upon
him by this chapter.
No official or employee of the Building Department shall, while acting
pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, be personally liable for any damage
that may accrue to persons or property as the result of any act required or
permitted in the discharge of his official duties, provided that such acts
are performed in good faith and without gross negligence.
The Chief Building Inspector may request and shall receive, so far as
may be necessary in the discharge of his duties, the assistance and cooperation
of the Police and Health Departments and of the several Fire Departments located
within the town, and of all other town officials exercising any jurisdiction
over the construction, use or occupancy of buildings or the installation of
equipment therein.