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Planning department to pilot administrative gas-permit process; inspections delegated to certified installers
Summary
Town planner and code officer Jeffrey Hinderliter proposed a July'October pilot to change the gas-permit process to administrative intake with inspections performed only on request, relying on licensed installers to certify code compliance; the board supported the pilot.
Wolfeboro's planning and development department presented a proposed pilot to streamline the town's gas-permit process by shifting intake and basic completeness checks to an administrative function and relying on licensed gas-fitters to certify that installations meet applicable codes.
Jeffrey Hinderliter, code enforcement officer and town planner, outlined the current three-step system (permit submission, code review, inspection) and proposed that the town continue accepting permits but not perform routine reviews or inspections unless requested. "We will no longer have inspections, unless if someone requests," Hinderliter said, adding that the town would create a specific certification form to be submitted with permits.
Hinderliter cited the highly trained nature of licensed gas tradespeople and noted a recent, deadly gas-explosion incident in another New Hampshire municipality as context for emphasizing regulated installers. The department proposed to begin the pilot July 1 and run it through Oct. 1 with a planned reevaluation.
Select Board members voiced concern that a code officer serves as an important second set of eyes, but also acknowledged staffing constraints; the board voted to endorse the proposed direction and the pilot.
What's next: Planning will prepare a certification form for installers, communicate the pilot details to contractors and homeowners, and report results to the select board after the October evaluation.
