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Selectboard re-opens discussion on adopting IRC and town electrical inspection roles
Summary
Members reviewed past town votes that referenced adopting the state’s International Residential Code (IRC) and discussed whether the town should resume residential electrical inspections or rely on master electricians and utilities; they will review documents and follow up after training.
Selectboard members revisited past town decisions around adopting the state's residential building code (IRC) and discussed the municipal role in residential electrical inspections.
Members explained that a 2012 town meeting vote had accepted state codes and a 2013 follow-up had modified that acceptance, excluding the energy portion; the board said there is not a single written town ordinance detailing the building code adoption and that staff turnover may have obscured the town’s current standing.
The discussion turned to whether the town should perform residential electrical inspections itself. Several members noted the practicalities: utilities (named in the meeting as CMP) and master electricians often perform signoffs and that town liability concerns had led some municipalities to limit direct inspection. A regional training and head electrical inspector course were mentioned as resources; one member said they would check with electricians and share information.
The board asked staff to locate records of prior votes and the town’s existing code enforcement practices and to report back later after members review the documentation and regional meeting outcomes.
