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Council approves first readings for building-code and contractor-license updates, considers youth-in-trades exemptions
Summary
Council approved at first reading technical updates to building code references and contractor licensing and directed further consideration of a council‑requested draft to allow certain youth exemptions for work in the trades beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
Town Attorney Leah Colossemano presented technical amendments to Title 15 (Buildings and Construction) and a council‑directed draft to allow limited youth participation in some trade activities. Council approved the ordinance updates at first reading and directed staff to proceed.
Colossemano said staff corrected a technical reference in the International Residential Code related to ground snow loads and added missing contractor-license categories and an exemption for state-employed contractors. The contractor licensing update also adds a catchall basis for denial if an application does not meet minimum requirements and clarifies notice timing for denials and suspensions.
Separately, council earlier asked staff to draft a limited exemption that would allow persons under 18 to perform certain supervised tasks in construction trades without obtaining a town certificate of qualifications (the draft would not require a town card, would apply to those 18 and older in some cases, and the staff proposed an implementation date of Jan. 1, 2026, to track hours reliably). The Board of Examiners provided technical feedback noting federal and state child‑labor restrictions and the construction industry’s hazardous nature would limit what tasks youth can legally perform.
Councilor Beaman moved and Councilor Vemann seconded motions to approve the two ordinances at first reading; both motions passed unanimously. Staff will publish and bring final ordinances for subsequent readings as required.
