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Service Committee debates building-inspection options, SafeBuilt contract
Summary
At the May 11 Service Committee meeting, residents and officials discussed possible changes to local building inspection arrangements and options from contractor SafeBuilt; the village administrator said he will pursue information from the State Board of Building Standards before further action.
The Service Committee met May 11 in Baltimore and spent a portion of its meeting discussing local building-inspection arrangements and options for the village’s contract with SafeBuilt. Resident Jim Cotugno raised concerns that the developer Miranda Homes could deliver substandard housing and urged continued local oversight.
VA Matthew Nihiser said he has reached out to the State Board of Building Standards to explore options — including a model that retains a building department for new construction only — and will set up a Teams meeting to gather more information. Nihiser also reported meeting with SafeBuilt to review the process for canceling that contract and said SafeBuilt provided several options that he shared with the committee.
Longtime resident Ron Bibler, who told the committee he has lived in the community 83 years, argued banks do not provide sufficient inspection oversight and said he favors keeping SafeBuilt. Contractor John Daft said inspectors can be a burden for builders but acknowledged inspectors identify problems during framing, electrical work and footing installation.
Committee members asked staff to provide more information on the “new builds only” option before the council considers formal changes; the minutes record the matter is slated for further discussion at the upcoming Council meeting. No formal motion to alter the contract or abolish the building department was recorded at this meeting.
