[HISTORY: Adopted by the Clarkson Town Board 3-10-1981 by L.L. No. 2-1981; amended in its entirety 5-11-2010 by L.L. No. 3-2010. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Unsafe buildings — See Ch. 48.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:
BUILDING INSPECTOR
The Building Inspector of the Town of Clarkson, or such other person appointed by the Town Board to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter.
ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR
A person or business entity approved by the Town Board of the Town of Clarkson as set forth herein who is authorized and deputized as an agent of the Town of Clarkson to make inspections and reinspections of all electrical installations heretofore and hereafter described and to approve or disapprove the same.
A. 
Electrical inspectors, qualified as set forth herein, are authorized and deputized as agents of the Town of Clarkson to make inspections and reinspections of all electrical installations heretofore and hereafter described and to approve or disapprove the same.
B. 
In no event, however, will the cost or expense of such inspections and reinspections be a charge against the Town of Clarkson.
A. 
It shall be the duty of the electrical inspector to report in writing to the Building Inspector, whose duty it shall be to enforce all provisions of this chapter, all violations or deviations from or omissions of the electrical provisions of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and of all local laws and ordinances insofar as any of the same apply to electrical wiring.
B. 
The electrical inspector shall make inspections and reinspections of electrical installations in and on premises in the Town of Clarkson upon the written request of an authorized official of the Town of Clarkson or as herein provided.
C. 
The electrical inspector is authorized to make inspections and reinspections of electrical wiring, installations, devices, appliances and equipment in or on premises within the Town of Clarkson where he deems it necessary for the protection of life and property.
D. 
In the event of an emergency, it is the duty of the electrical inspector to make electrical inspections upon the oral request of an official or officer of the Town of Clarkson.
A. 
Only inspectors authorized herein shall be permitted to make electrical inspections in the Town of Clarkson.
B. 
Any person, organization or business may apply for permission to conduct electrical inspections in the Town of Clarkson. The applicant and all of its agents must meet the criteria set forth in this chapter.
C. 
Application. The application shall be submitted and shall include the following:
(1) 
The application on a form provided by the Building Inspector or on a form requiring the same information.
(2) 
A nonrefundable application fee as established by resolution of the Town Board.
(3) 
Proof of insurance naming the Town of Clarkson as additional insured as follows:
(a) 
Statutory workers' compensation coverage as is required by law;
(b) 
Automobile and public liability coverage for property damage and personal injury, including wrongful death, in an amount of at least $3,000,000;
(c) 
The applicant shall provide proof of insurance annually and proof of continued qualification with each biannual renewal request.
D. 
Action on application.
(1) 
The Building Inspector shall review the application for accuracy and completeness and shall investigate the business reputation and qualifications of the applicant within 30 days of the receipt of the application. The Building Inspector shall provide the Town Board with a written recommendation to approve or reject the application, which shall include the reasoning for the recommendation. Within 30 days of receipt of such recommendation the Town Board shall, by resolution, approve or reject the application.
(2) 
The Building Inspector, in the recommendation to the Town Board, shall indicate if the applicant is deemed qualified to inspect residential, commercial or industrial properties or only some of the above. In making this recommendation, the Building Inspector shall, if appropriate, use the standards set forth by nationally recognized electrical inspector organizations.
(3) 
If the application is approved, the Building Inspector shall issue a letter to the applicant certifying that the applicant is qualified to perform electrical inspections in the Town of Clarkson. Such certification shall be valid until December 31, 2011, or until such time as it is revoked by the Town Board upon good cause. Application fees shall not be pro-rated.
(4) 
Should the Town Board make a determination that an applicant or inspector is not qualified to perform electrical inspections in the Town of Clarkson, the applicant or inspector shall be provided written notice of such decision. The applicant or inspector may, within 30 days of the receipt of such determination, request a public hearing before the Town Board at which hearing the applicant or inspector may present evidence to provide proof of qualification.
E. 
The Building Inspector shall maintain a list of qualified electrical inspectors with their current business addresses and telephone numbers. This list shall be made available to any person requesting the same and made available on the website maintained on behalf of the Town of Clarkson.
A. 
Certificate. All electrical inspectors shall be certified by a nationally recognized inspector-certification program accepted by the Board. The certification program shall specifically qualify the individual in electrical inspections. No person shall perform electrical inspections in the Town of Clarkson as an electrical inspector unless that person is the holder of an electrical inspector's certificate issued by the Town Board, except that any person or agency serving as a legally appointed electrical inspector for the Town of Clarkson as of the adoption date of this chapter shall be permitted to continue to serve as an electrical inspector in the Town of Clarkson, New York, until December 31 of the year this chapter is adopted.
B. 
Experience. Electrical inspector applicants shall demonstrate the following:
(1) 
Have a demonstrated knowledge of the standard materials and methods used in the installation of electrical equipment and systems; and
(2) 
Be well versed in the approved methods of construction concerning safety to persons and property; and
(3) 
Be well versed in the statutes of New York State Building and Residential Code relating to electrical work and the National Electrical Code; and
(4) 
Have at least one year of experience as an electrical inspector, or four years of experience in the installation of electrical equipment, or be a graduate of an electrical engineering or similar curriculum of a college or university considered by the Board as having suitable requirements for graduation and have had two years' practical electrical experience.
C. 
Recertification. Electrical inspectors shall be qualified and recertified as established by provisions of the applicable certification program including providing proof of any continuing education as is required by the certification program. Proof of continued qualification is required with each biannual renewal request.
It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person, firm or corporation to install or cause to be installed or to do electrical wiring for light, heat or power in or on property situate in the Town of Clarkson until an application for inspection has been filed with an electrical inspector qualified in, and approved by, the Town of Clarkson as set forth in this chapter.
It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person, firm or corporation to inspect or cause to be inspected electrical wiring for light, heat or power in or on property situated in the Town of Clarkson unless said person, firm or corporation is qualified in, and approved by, the Town of Clarkson as set forth in this chapter.
Any person, persons, firms, associations or corporations which violate any of the provisions of this chapter or any section or part thereof shall be guilty of an offense, punishable by a fine not exceeding $250 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days, or both. Each day that a violation of this chapter continues after notice to the persons so violating the same shall be deemed to be a separate violation. Further, any person, persons, firms, associations or corporations that violate the sections of this chapter with regard to compliance with electrical inspections shall be subject to such fines, penalties or other remedies, including any appropriate action or proceedings to prevent continued violations of this chapter or to restrain, correct or abate such violations.