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Ogdensburg will temporarily accept notarized self-inspections for Certificates of Continued Occupancy
Summary
Facing a vacant fire marshal post, the borough adopted Resolution 58-2021 to allow notarized owner certifications in lieu of in-person inspections for smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm and portable fire extinguisher compliance until the position is filled or duties are delegated.
The Borough of Ogdensburg on Aug. 23 adopted Resolution 58-2021 to temporarily accept notarized applications and owner certifications in lieu of in-person inspections for Certificates of Continued Occupancy (CCOs) required under the Uniform Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-1 et seq.
Borough Attorney Robert McBriar read the resolution into the record, noting that the borough’s Fire Marshall retired effective July 30, 2021 and the borough is considering filling the vacancy or delegating enforcement responsibilities to another officer or Local Enforcement Agency. The resolution authorizes issuance of a CCO upon the borough’s final determination that a notarized owner certification and application are complete and the fee has been paid.
McBriar said the policy mirrors steps used during the COVID period and would allow a notarized owner certification attesting that required alarms and portable fire extinguisher are in place to be kept on file in lieu of an inspection for the limited interim period. Councilman DeMeo moved to adopt and Councilwoman Slater seconded; roll call: Yeas — Cowdrick, DeMeo, Nardini, Slater; Absent — Alvarez, Nasisi.
The resolution also states the borough will stop accepting applications in lieu of inspections once the Fire Marshall position is filled or responsibilities are otherwise delegated, at which point in-person inspections will resume.
Next steps: The borough clerk will process notarized applications in the interim and the council will revisit procedures once staffing or delegation is resolved.
