Finance Committee recommends $10,000 transfer to cover interim building commissioner contract

The Gardner City Council Finance Committee on July 31 recommended that the full council approve a $10,000 transfer from the building department—s salary and wages account to its operating expense account to fund an interim contract for the building commissioner.

City staff explained the requested transfer is intended to pay retired former commissioner Jeff Cook for interim work while the city continues to recruit and vet candidates for the permanent position. "Retired, former commissioner Jeff Cook has been filling in in the interim," staff said, and the transcript records that Cook has been working roughly eight hours a week (Mondays and Thursdays) to keep zoning determinations, certificates of occupancy and other commissioner-only duties current.

Staff described the legal constraints and narrow hiring pool for the building commissioner role. "The building commissioner position is 1 that's actually outlined very specifically by mass general law," staff said, noting that every community must appoint a building commissioner and that the role requires prior certification as a local inspector and an 18-month period to take the commissioner—s exam. Staff added that the city may make conditional appointments under state law but that a candidate who does not pass required exams within the probationary period would be decertified.

The transcript shows staff said about $5,000 of the $10,000 authorization had already been invoiced to the city before the committee vote, and that Cook is nearing the retirement-hour cap that limits how many hours a retiree may work in a year. A councilor asked whether the city anticipates needing more than the requested $10,000; staff said they do not currently expect to need more but left open that more hours could be required if specific large tasks arise.

Committee members also discussed contingency plans, including potential regionalized services with neighboring communities if the city cannot find a qualified candidate within budget. The committee voted by voice to forward the order to the full council; the transcript records the motion as "Motion made by councilor Hegland, second by councilor Mac to recommend to the full council adoption of the order" and notes "Motion carries." No roll-call tally was recorded in the committee transcript.

Why it matters: Gardner must maintain a certified building commissioner to issue certificates of occupancy and make zoning determinations; staff cautioned the statutory certification process limits the available candidate pool and the city is pursuing multiple short- and medium-term staffing options while recruiting a permanent commissioner.

The transfer will go to the full City Council for final approval.